Texas Tech’s quarterback room got a lot thinner on Sunday, when it was reported by ESPN that backup quarterback Will Hammond has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during Saturday’s 42–0 win over Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The redshirt freshman was making his second straight start in place of injured starter Behren Morton when the injury occurred in the second quarter. Hammond did not return to the game.
With Morton still recovering from his own right-leg injury, the team turned to third-string signal-caller Mitch Griffis, who came in and completed 9 of 15 passes for 172 yards and accounted for two total touchdowns. It marked the Red Raiders’ first shutout win over a Big 12 opponent since 2005.
Hammond’s injury presents a major shift for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who had been relying on him to carry the offense while Morton recovered. But, the good news is that Morton is expected to be back for Kansas State in Week 10 of the season. In fact, according to head coach Joey McGuire, Morton could have played this past Saturday, if it was a more competitive game.
McGuire said after the Oklahoma State win that Morton, “would have been able to start” on Saturday. “If it was a competitive game, then he would have been able to go in,” McGuire added.
From Hammond’s standpoint, the timing is especially unfortunate. He had been earning increasing trust and opportunity, and this setback comes just as his role was growing. And for Texas Tech, Morton’s health is now priority No. 1 if this team wants to reach it’s goal of making, and winning, a Big 12 Championship for the first time in program history.
