UPDATED: QB Hammond to start for (7)Texas Tech at Arizona State

Update 12:47 p.m. - Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said senior QB Behren Morton will be available today, but only in an emergency role.

Here is the update from Tech Athletics early Saturday afternoon:

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire announced Saturday that senior quarterback Behren Morton will be available for this afternoon’s contest against Arizona State but only in an emergency role as he continues to recover from an injury suffered last weekend against Kansas.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Will Hammond will make his second career start and first of the season in his place with senior Mitch Griffis serving as the primary backup. Hammond made his first career start to close the 2024 season at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl as he completed 20-of-34 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas.

Hammond has entered all six games this season as he’s completed 66.7 percent of his passes (38-of-57 overall) for 411 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also Texas Tech’s third-leading rusher to date with 24 carries for 231 yards and four touchdowns, including two last Saturday in a 42-17 victory over Kansas. Hammond also helped lead Texas Tech to a 34-10 victory at Utah to open Big 12 play as he completed 13-of-16 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing eight times for 61 yards after relieving Morton just after halftime.

Kickoff between the No. 7 Red Raiders and Sun Devils is slated for 3 p.m. CT Saturday with coverage provided on FOX and the Texas Tech Sports Network.

TEMPE, Arizona (KCBD) - update Friday afternoon from Tempe: Will Hammond is expected to start at quarterback for the Red Raiders.

Watch the updated report in the video above.

Hammond has played in each of Tech’s six games this season, three of those coming in when Behren Morton was hurt. This will be Hammond’s second career start. His first start was last year in the Liberty Bowl. (story updated to correct error stating this would be his first career start)

Fans were definitely ready when this flight landed in Phoenix Friday afternoon, with chants of Raider Power.

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - posted Monday

The Red Raiders have finally figured out how to win away from home. Going back to last season, they’ve won four straight Big 12 games on the road. This year’s wins at Utah and Houston were both by a margin of 24 points. Head football coach Joey McGuire says the No. 7 Red Raiders (6-0) will carry over the same combative mindset this Saturday at 4-2 Arizona State.

“Special Forces have never won a game that we know of at home. They have to go on the road and win games for the United States, and so we talk a lot about that- of being focused, mission focused,” he said. “And, the biggest thing though is the players. They’ve really bought into what we’re doing, and they’re going out and playing at a high level.”

Even though the Sun Devils enter the game with two losses, including a 42-10 drubbing at Utah, McGuire says a win at Mountain America Stadium will not come easy- especially since this is game ASU has had on its calendar. Tech was one of two Big 12 teams the Sun Devils fell to last season (30-22 in Lubbock), on their way to winning the conference title.

“We’re playing the reigning Big 12 champs, going to their place- Arizona State. I know they’re wearing an alternative uniform, and so this is a really big game, and I know Kenny (Dillingham) will have them ready to go. I expect a really loud crowd,” he said. “He’s done a phenomenal job. I think he’s one of the brightest young coaches in the game right now.”

ASU’s starting quarterback Sam Leavitt did not play at Utah because of injury concerns. However, McGuire says he still expects him to suit up for Saturday’s game.

“I expect him to play. I think he’s really talented. He extends plays with his feet. He’s got a really good arm. He’s smart, he’s a guy that’s going to play on Sundays. Whenever you face guys like that, it’s really tough.”

Along with Leavitt, the Red Raiders will also try to contain their lead receiver Jordan Tyson, who leads Arizona State with 47 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns.

“I think they have one of the best receivers in the country, extremely talented. He’s got great ball skills. He can really, he high points the ball. It’s like they have great chemistry. (Leavitt) always knows where Tyson is. I was watching a play where he gets flushed against TCU and he just catches a phenomenal pass on the sideline. Really special.”

While McGuire still plans to face Leavitt on Saturday, he’s still uncertain about his own QB Behren Morton, who is still listed as ‘day-to-day’, after he reaggravated his right ankle in last week’s win over Kansas. He says Morton feels better than he did earlier this year when he first injured his leg in the season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

“I’ve said it a million times, and I don’t know if there will be another player like him, but that dude is the toughest kid I’ve ever coached. His pain tolerance is, and just toughness and care factor is really high, so he’s ‘day-to-day’. We’ll see how he feels.”

Defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard is still listed as uncertain for Saturday’s contest, but McGuire says he will know much more about No. 0’s status later this week- after his ankle is seen by an expert in Dallas.

“He’s going to be a little bit more questionable if he can go, especially whenever it depends how far out that appointment is. It could be Thursday, we’ll see. As far as everybody else that I can think of, we’re football banged up. We’re always going to have bumps and bruises and not great and by Tuesday, you’re feeling a lot better.”

While Special Forces win battles with fighter jets, the Red Raiders have done the same flying first class. Coach McGuire says every time they’re away from home, he’s thankful for the talent and leadership there on his plane.

“We’ve got an older team. I feel really good that No. 9 (Romello Height, Johncarlos Miller II), and No. 31 (David Bailey), and No. 2 (Behren Morton) and No. 33 (A.J. Holmes, Jr.) are going to be on the plane to Phoenix and give us a great opportunity whenever you have guys like that.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s contest set for 3 p.m. CT. The game will air on FOX34.