Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 16 Utah’s home loss to No. 17 Texas Tech

Red Raiders pull away in fourth quarter behind freshman quarterback in largely defensive battle

Published: Sept 20, 2025, 9:46 a.m. MDTUpdated: Sept 20, 2025, 1:41 p.m. MDT

Utah Utes defensive end John Henry Daley (90) hits Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) during the first half of the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Brandon covers sports for the Deseret News, with an emphasis on the University of Utah and the NFL.

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between No. 16 Utah and No. 17 Texas Tech. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

Texas Tech 34, Utah 10

A top 20 matchup of two of the top teams in the Big 12 turned into a largely defensive struggle before No. 17 Texas Tech went on the road and beat No. 16 Utah 34-10 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Will Hammond, who took over at quarterback for an injured Behren Morton in the third quarter, threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 61 more to lead the Red Raiders to the win.

Utah finally scored its first touchdown with 10:22 remaining, as a Wayshawn Parker 5-yard run capped a 75-yard drive. That came moments after Texas Tech went ahead 13-3 early in the fourth quarter.

The Red Raiders, though, had an answer, scoring three straight times behind Hammond’s leadership. The game was wrapped up with Hammond’s second touchdown — a 21-yarder to Reggie Virgil — after a Devon Dampier interception.

Texas Tech outgained Utah 484-263 in total yards in a game where defense dominated the first half.

There were five turnovers in the opening 30 minutes, and Utah finished with four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions) to two Morton interceptions for Texas Tech.

Fourth quarter

Texas Tech 34, Utah 10

1:53 — The Red Raiders tacked on a third straight touchdown, scoring on a pass from Will Hammond to Reggie Virgil from 21 yards out after Devon Dampier threw an interception on fourth down deep in Utah territory. Texas Tech 34, Utah 10.

PICKED OFF @TexasTechFB makes another big play on defense 🔒 pic.twitter.com/5sfV1ox5qO
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

3:41 — That should do it, as Texas Tech added another touchdown after a Utah three and out. Cameron Dickey scored on a 24-yard run to push the lead to 17. Texas Tech 27, Utah 10.

Cameron Dickey takes it in for @TexasTechFB! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DwDDu4uJwm
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

That was a seven-play, 68-yard drive for the Red Raiders.

8:29 — All the sudden, the offenses have gotten going.

This time, it was a Texas Tech touchdown, as Will Hammond found tight end Terrance Carter Jr. on the wheel route for a 24-yard touchdown. Texas Tech 20, Utah 10.

Too easy of a TD for @TexasTechFB 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/SUYRYdRuZM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

Hammond started the drive with a 32-yard run to get things going.

10:22 — Talk about an answer for the Utes.

Wayshawn Parker scored on a 5-yard run to give Utah its first touchdown of the game after falling down 10 again. Texas Tech 13, Utah 10.

THE UTES ARE RIGHT BACK IN IT 🙌

Wayshawn Parker punches it in for @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/b5hEVui1jT
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

Devon Dampier connected with Dallen Bentley for a 44-yard gain to jumpstart the drive, a play where Bentley broke a tackle and moved the ball into Texas Tech territory.

The Utes are back within three after that seven-play, 75-yard drive.

12:33 — The Red Raiders missed a solid chance to take a two-touchdown lead when Will Hammond, who’s played well in Behren Morton’s absence, missed an open receiver in the end zone on third down from the 7.

Still, Texas Tech added a Stone Harrington field goal to make it a 10-point lead. Texas Tech 13, Utah 3.

Caleb Douglas caught a pinpoint 33-yard pass to move Texas Tech into scoring territory.

Second time's a charm for Douglas 😏@TexasTechFB pic.twitter.com/eiMVqAq82O
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

Third quarter

Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton has been ruled out for the rest of the game after taking this hit from Johnathan Hall on the Red Raiders’ first drive of the second half.

It’s the Will Hammond show now for Texas Tech’s offense.

Morton takes a hard hit on this play 😬

After review, there is no foul for targeting. Do you agree with the call? pic.twitter.com/2YKFun6DY8
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

Halftime

Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

It’s been a defensive-minded game through one half.

The Utes have forced a pair of Behren Morton interceptions but the Red Raiders have three takeaways (two fumbles and an interception) as both teams have struggled to put points on the board.

Outside of Texas Tech’s opening-drive touchdown, when a 75-yard J’Koby Williams catch moved the Red Raiders into the red zone, there’s only been two field goals to account for the game’s other points — and both field goals came in the final minute of the half.

Texas Tech has held Devon Dampier in check. He has completed 17 of 22 passes for 86 yards and an interception, while running for 31 yards.

Morton, meanwhile, is 12 of 19 for 142 yards and two interceptions. He came into the contest with just one pick on the year.

Second quarter

Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

0:00 — Dillon Curtis made good on a second chance to score, hitting a 32-yard field goal on an untimed down to give Utah its first points of the day. Texas Tech 10, Utah 3.

🙌 @Utah_Football gets on the board just before the half pic.twitter.com/JhzCoExxLq
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

Curtis initially pushed a field goal attempt to the right, but the Red Raiders were called for a roughing into the kicker penalty, giving the Utes one untimed down to try the field goal again.

Utah moved the ball 61 yards on that quick last-minute drive — with help with help from two 15-yard penalties from Texas Tech — for some much-needed points before the half.

0:48 — Stone Harrington nailed a career-high 58-yard field goal for Texas Tech in the final minute of the first half, giving the Red Raiders a double-digit lead. Texas Tech 10, Utah 0.

Harrington’s previous long was a 47-yarder.

STONE HARRINGTON WITH A 58-YARD BOOT 🥾🎯@TexasTechFB makes it 10-0 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Gk6Nq6zWNA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

2:11 — Brice Pollock intercepted a Devon Dampier pass into double coverage, giving the Red Raiders a chance to score before halftime with the ball at their own 47.

That is Dampier’s first interception of the season.

Devon Dampier escapes all the danger and then throws an INT 😬 pic.twitter.com/6AGWGvnfOY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

10:44 — Defense is dominating this game.

Jackson Bennee wrestled a pass away from Texas Tech receiver Coy Eakin in the end zone, and after the Red Raiders looked like they could add to their lead, Utah’s defense came up big again.

PICKED OFF IN THE END ZONE

What a play by the @Utah_Football defense 🔒@ATTBusiness pic.twitter.com/bxQ5tPfVA7
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

Bennee is showing a penchant for big plays.

First quarter

Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

1:07 — The Utes fumble again — Red Raiders star linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had the perfect punch out on Wayshawn Parker, and Texas Tech starts a drive at its own 47.

We've got a defensive clinic going on in SLC this morning 😤

THREE combined first-quarter turnovers between @TexasTechFB and @Utah_Football #Big12FB | 📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/JW0GmgqqDB
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 20, 2025

3:43 — It’s been a crazy few minutes.

Utah had a touchdown wiped out by a penalty, then Texas Tech recovered a Utah fumble.

Then the Utes’ Tao Johnson with the interception on a tipped pass, and it’s still 7-0 Texas Tech after all that madness.

INTERCEPTED

The @Utah_Football defense takes it right back 💪 pic.twitter.com/9LMLrBD61p
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025

5:46 — The Utes stand tall after giving the ball up on their side of the field with a turnover on downs. Utah’s defense forced a three-and-out, and the Utes will start their third possession from their 26 after a penalty.

10:13 — For the first time all year, the Utes trail.

113

Comments

Texas Tech converted two third downs on its opening drive, including a 73-yard pass to J’Koby Williams to get the Red Raiders into the red zone, before Cameron Dickey scored on a 1-yard run. Texas Tech 7, Utah 0.

J'Koby Williams WOULD NOT GO DOWN 😤

He breaks away for a huge @TexasTechFB gain pic.twitter.com/Jovf5gqEmI
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025