Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Purple Raiders head coach Joey McGuire in opposition to the Arizona State Solar Devils within the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs No. 14 Texas Tech will look to bounce again from its first setback of the season when it meets Oklahoma State in Massive 12 motion Saturday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas.
The Purple Raiders (6-1, 3-1 Massive 12) need to set up the operating sport after gaining 109 yards on 27 carries in a 26-22 loss at Arizona State final weekend. Backup quarterback Will Hammond accomplished 22 of 37 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception.
Beginning quarterback Behren Morton missed the sport vs. Arizona State, and Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire mentioned the senior signal-caller is day-to-day. Behren has been testing his leg damage by operating within the pool.
“We did not run the soccer sufficient,” McGuire mentioned. “We should be more practical. I believe somewhat bit, too, was once they began stretching the lead we needed to create some explosive performs and seize some momentum. It is one thing (operating the ball) that if we might return on, we want we did.”
As a result of they struggled to run for yards on first down, the Purple Raiders repeatedly confronted lengthy distances to achieve on second and third downs. They have been outgained 394-276 in complete yards, and the Solar Devils additionally held a 37:12 to 22:48 benefit in time of possession.
“We now have to be loads higher on first down,” McGuire mentioned. “That was one of many huge takeaways after watching the movie.”
Even because the Cowboys (1-6, 0-4) are nonetheless in quest of their first Massive 12 win in a marketing campaign that noticed Mike Gundy fired as head coach on Sept. 23, interim coach Doug Meacham mentioned the workforce’s spirits stay excessive.
Then-No. 24 Cincinnati beat Oklahoma State 49-17 final week in Stillwater, Okla., the sixth straight loss for the Cowboys. Sam Jackson V was 11-of-19 passing for 149 yards and an interception, whereas Rodney Fields Jr. rushed for 163 yards on 21 carries with a landing.
“The need to, the vitality and the passion of the gamers is phenomenal,” Meacham mentioned. “The sport plan was a strong sport plan. I believe, sadly, the one factor that really issues is what’s on the scoreboard. However by way of the whole lot else, it was a win.”
Whereas Jackson has spent the final two seasons as a receiver, he stepped in below middle in opposition to Houston on Oct. 11. He entered faculty as a quarterback earlier than switching to receiver. Meacham mentioned it is potential Oklahoma State might additionally use Zane Flores at QB.
“He made some nice ‘wow’ performs,” Meacham mentioned about Jackson. “And is absolutely good along with his legs. There’s not an entire lot of men within the nation that may do what he is completed. Coming in as a receiver the final two years and transferring to quarterback.”
Regardless of the Cowboys trailing 28-10 at halftime, Meacham mentioned the workforce stayed optimistic that it might play its means again into the sport.
“There was by no means a degree within the sport till the top, possibly, the place we did not really feel like we might pull it off,” he mentioned. “It was enjoyable to see. Each potential means you may gauge a win, we did, apart from the factors. That is the subsequent factor we’re on the lookout for.”
–Discipline Stage Media
