No. 17 Texas Tech downs Utah 34-10 behind Will Hammond

Texas Tech’s backup quarterback Will Hammond led a late surge to lift the No. 17 Red Raiders to a 34-10 victory over No. 16 Utah on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, handing the Utes a lopsided home loss after a game dominated by defensive play and turnovers.

The turning point came early in the second half when Texas Tech starter Behren Morton left with an injury after taking a hard hit. Morton was credited with about 142 passing yards and two interceptions before exiting, according to team reports. Hammond, a redshirt freshman, entered and completed 13 of 16 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns and added 61 rushing yards, leading Texas Tech on four scoring drives that produced three fourth-quarter touchdowns and put the game out of reach.

Utah’s offense, which had been a strength through the first three weeks, struggled throughout. Quarterback Devon Dampier finished 25 of 38 for 162 yards with two interceptions and had just 27 rushing yards. The Utes were held to 263 total yards, managed only 101 rushing yards, and converted four of 14 third-down attempts. Utah also lost the turnover battle; the teams combined for six turnovers, with Utah committing four —...