Friday night in Lubbock, two Big 12 title hopefuls met in an early-season top-25 matchup. Fortunately, the Red Raiders came up with the game's biggest play, a stop on a potential game-tying two-point conversion with under a minute to go, to come away with a 28-26 win. Here are a few rapid reactions to the latest heart-stopping Red Raider win.
Texas Tech wins another game that it would have lost in previous years
Last week against Oregon State, Tech won a game that previous versions of the program would have lost when the Red Raiders had to fight back from a 4th-quarter deficit on the road in a non-conference game. Friday, Tech won another game that most Red Raider teams of yesteryear would not have.
Falling into a 10-0 hole after three possessions is usually a recipe for a loss. Usually, Texas Tech teams wilt when the opposition lands an early haymaker. Sometimes, teams of the past 15 years would come back to make such a game interesting, but almost always, they would prove unable to erase an early double-digit lead.
This time, Tech found a way to summon the grit and determination to prevent that atrocious early start from beating them. It was perhaps the most resilient win of the Joey McGuire era and a sign that this team has character.
The Tommy Castellanos hype should be dead
There is no longer any reason for an inkling of a thought about Tommy Castellanos being more than just a red-zone gadget quarterback. The interception he threw on Tech's first offensive play was inexcusable, and it took all the air out of the stadium.
That is what Castellanos has been throughout his career. Yes, he is capable of the spectacular play, especially with his feet, but he is just as likely to make the boneheaded play as well. You can't have that in your quarterback if you want to be a championship team. Castellanos needs to be a red-zone read-option player, and that's it.
Texas Tech matches Houston on the ground
Entering this game, Houston was top 10 in the nation in rushing yards per game at over 300. Tech, meanwhile, was experiencing a slow start from its rushing attack.
Friday, though, the Red Raiders ran for only eight fewer yards than Houston (168 to the Cougars 176). What's more, Tech actually averaged more yards per attempt (5.3 compared to Houston's 4.8).
This game tilted Tech's way in the second half when the Red Raider ground game got going. It was then sealed by Cam Dickey when he got the final first down of the night in the last minute. In all, Tech ran for three touchdowns, including two in the red zone. That came against a Houston defense that had allowed a total of just 22 rushing yards on the season entering the contest. Maybe the Red Raider rushing attack is starting to find itself.
Will Hammond plays his best game
It's early in his career as a starter, but this was Will Hammond's best game. He was 17-27 for 257 yards with a TD pass and a pick. What's more, had his receivers not dropped three crucial passes, he would have had his first 300-yard game of the season.
But more than just the numbers, what told the story of the night for Hammond was his ability to come into the game down 10-0 before he even touched the ball and still lead his team to a win. When Castellanos inexplicably took the first snap of the game, Hammond didn't sulk or pout. He kept his head up and stayed locked in, knowing that he would get his chance.
Hammond has the mental makeup to be a great QB. He also has the physical tools. Tonight, it looked like those two elements came together for the first time this season, especially considering that he ran the ball five times for 30 yards. This felt like the game where he put his knee injury behind him and fully took command of this football team.
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