Texas Tech’s defense propelled the Red Raiders to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2021 with a commanding 45-14 victory over Oregon State on Saturday.
After a two-hour weather delay, defensive back Brice Pollock snagged a pair of interceptions, while his front seven limited the Beavers to a season-low seven rushing yards. Texas Tech’s defense has held its first three opponents to a combined 35 points, the fewest points allowed in the first three games of a season since 2012, according to Tech Athletics.
Saturday was Texas Tech’s final tune-up game before facing No. 20 Utah, so head coach Joey McGuire played his starters past the first half. Quarterback Behren Morton played three quarters and threw for 464 yards and four touchdowns. Running back J’Koby Williams played into the fourth quarter and finished with 164 yards from scrimmage.
It took until McGuire mass substituted his starters in the fourth quarter for Oregon State to score. Even then, Texas Tech held the Beavers out of the red zone on every drive but two.
The Red Raiders will face No. 20 Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, Saturday for the conference opener.
Here are five takeaways from the Red Raiders’ win.
Morton struggles with quarterback hurries
On eight pressures from the Oregon State defense, Morton had one completion on a shovel pass. He threw an interception off his back foot, was called for intentional grounding, had four incompletions and was sacked on the other seven.
Morton threw for 464 yards and four touchdowns, but was neutralized as a passer when he had to leave the pocket. Oregon State had zero sacks before Saturday. Utah, Texas Tech’s next opponent, has seven in two games.
Run defense forces opponents to be one-dimensional
For a third consecutive week, Texas Tech’s defense held its opponent under 70 yards rushing. Defensive tackles Skyler Gill-Howard and Lee Hunter were the leading factors in forcing a minimal average yards per rush for the first time this season. Oregon State’s longest run was seven yards.
Although the Red Raiders forced Oregon State to pass for any offensive success, it didn’t mean the Beavers’ offense was immobile. [Maalik] Murphy ripped off 12 10-plus yard plays and completed 23 passes against the Red Raider defense.
Defensive line forces pressure, struggles to finish the job
The Red Raiders have had 24 quarterback pressures compared to seven sacks across three games. Although the hurries have been impactful, Texas Tech has struggled to force negative plays when breaking through the line.
Murphy is the third quarterback to successfully scramble for a gain, despite two Texas Tech defenders having a shot at him. [Joey] McGuire and defensive coordinator Shiel Wood have expressed frustration with pass rush lane discipline in the past, but Saturday didn’t show any improvement.
Nonconference strength of schedule hurts more than it helps
Texas Tech has faced an FCS school, the bottom-ranked FBS program and winless Oregon State. None of those programs gave Texas Tech the reps it needed to prepare for a Big 12 title push against conference foes with significantly tighter talent differentials.
The Red Raiders have had three glorified scrimmages and faced zero adversity in a year that will test mental fortitude and chemistry in unfavorable moments. No. 20 Utah will be Texas Tech’s first proving ground, and a lack of previous adversity will mean the Red Raiders’ first taste of struggle will be the conference opener against a ranked opponent.
Will Hammond is still unproven
Texas Tech backup quarterback Will Hammond has shown glimpses of elite talent. In his relief role, he has two passing touchdowns and two rushing through the first three games. However, against Oregon State, he panicked.
The redshirt freshman threw an airmailed interception and held on to the ball a handful of times too long. Hammond is signed to a multi-year contract, McGuire said, so there is plenty of time for improvement. Hammond is the expected successor to Morton in 2026.
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