All Utes

Game recap, analysis: Utah Utes overwhelmed by Texas Tech Red Raiders in 34-10 loss

Red Raiders imposed their will all afternoon to beat Utes on their home turf
Cole Forsman|
Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Terrance Carter Jr. (7) runs after a catch against Utah Utes cornerback Smith Snowden (2) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Terrance Carter Jr. (7) runs after a catch against Utah Utes cornerback Smith Snowden (2) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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Utah Utes

Led by a breakout performance from its backup quarterback, Texas Tech outclassed Utah to pull away for a 34-10 win in a nationally-televised game from Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Behren Morton had to exit the ballgame early in the third quarter after taking a big hit on a scramble, but the Red Raiders didn’t miss a beat as they rattled off 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter with redshirt freshman Will Hammond at the helm.

Hammond completed 13-of-16 pass attempts for 169 yards and threw two touchdown passes after the Utes cut their deficit to 13-10 with just over 10 minutes to play in regulation. Texas Tech’s defense, meanwhile, imposed its will on Utah all afternoon, holding one of the nation’s top rushing attacks to just 3.3 yards per carry and forcing four turnovers to completely shut down Devon Dampier and company.

The Utes, who entered Saturday putting up over 500 yards of total offense per game, were held to a season-low 263 yards against a Red Raiders defense that played with more physicality and urgency all afternoon. Dampier finished 25-of-38 through the air for 162 yards but was picked off twice.

With the win, Texas Tech advanced to 4-0 for the first time since 2013. Utah, on the other hand, dropped to 3-1.

Here is the live updates recap:

4TH QUARTER RECAP

Texas Tech pouring it on: Will Hammond dropped another dime, this one to Reggie Virgil to put the Red Raiders up by 24 with under 2 minutes to play (34-10, 1:53).

Dampier throws another interception: Jacob Rodriguez picked Devon Dampier off on fourth and long, effectively icing the ballgame and sending Utes fans to the exit (27-10, 2:43).

Red Raiders deliver back breaker: Utah's worn-out defense couldn't bring Cameron Dickey down, giving the Texas Tech running back just enough wiggle room to break away for a 24-yard touchdown (27-10, 3:36).

Utes can't answer: Dampier's pass on third-and-6 was broken up by Skyler Gill-Howard at the line of scrimmage, resulting in a three-and-out for the Utes (20-10, 7:21).

Red Raiders touchdown: A fake screen pass fooled Utah's secondary, leaving Terrance Carter Jr. wide open for Will Hammond to find to push the Red Raiders back in front by 10 (20-10, 8:29).

Nate Ritchie injured: Utah's defensive back slowly walked off the field after going down during a 19-yard gain for the Red Raiders. (13-10, 8:48).

Texas Tech on the move: Will Hammond got some solid blocking and took a keeper 32 yards on the Red Raiders' first play of their ensuing drive following the Utah touchdown, putting Texas Tech in Utah territory.

Utes touchdown!: Utah answered Texas Tech's last drive with points of its own, as Wayshawn Parker rushed up the middle 5 yards for his third touchdown of the season and the Utes' first of the afternoon. Dillon Curtis' good point after attempt cut his team's deficit to 3 (13-10, 10:22).

Utah on the move: Devon Dampier scrambled and found Dallen Bentley over the middle for a 44-yard gain after some strong running from the Utes tight end, resulting in Utah's longest play from scrimmage (13-3, 12:20).

Red Raiders extend lead: Texas Tech got the rock down to Utah's 7-yard before settling for a 25-yard field goal from Stone Harrington, extending the visitor's lead to 13-3 (12:33).

Texas Tech moves chains: Will Hammond couldn't connect with Caleb Douglas on second down, but the two linked up on third-and-10 with a pretty ball from Hammond. That 33-yard reception set the Red Raiders up on the Utes' 27-yard line (10-3, 14:47).

3RD QUARTER RECAP

Dampier misses big throw: Just when it appeared Utah had some momentum building for itself, Dampier couldn't hit a wide open Tobias Merriweather on third-and-4, stalling another drive from the Utes (10-3, 2:03).

Behren Morton ruled out: Texas Tech's quarterback was ruled out for the remainder of the game after taking a big hit to the head area early in the third quarter (10-3, 4:29).

Texas Tech gets in its own way: It looked like Will Hammond had an easy first down on a read-option keeper, but the officials blew the play dead to call another false start on the Red Raiders, their eighth of the afternoon. Nate Ritchie shut down a dump off pass to Cameron Dickey on third-and-7 the next play, resulting in Texas Tech's sixth punt (10-3, 4:29).

Utah can't get out of its own end zone: Despite a promising 6-yard rush from NaQuari Rogers — Utah's second longest rush of the day — the Utes couldn't move the chains and had to punt from their own end zone, setting the Red Raiders offense up on the 50-yard line following a 44-yard kick from Orion Phillips.

Johnathan Hall makes big third down stop: Hall continued his strong afternoon as he shut down a swing pass to Terrance Carter Jr. on third-and-4, shutting down the Red Raiders' second drive of the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Utes, a 52-yard punt from Jack Burgess was downed at their own 1-yard line (10-3, 8:32).

Behren Morton heads to locker room: Texas Tech's quarterback was seen heading to the locker room after the hard hit from Johnathan Hall forced him to exit the game for a second time. Red Raiders trotted out freshman Will Hammond on their ensuing drive (10-3, 11:57).

Dampier incomplete on third down: The Utes' first drive of the second half ended much like their first of the game — three plays and a punt (10-3, 11:57).

Flags continue to fly: After a couple of miscues from the Red Raiders offense, including their fifth false start of the day, the referees initially called targeting on Johnathan Hall for a hit on Behren Morton before rescinding the call after a review showed Hall led with his shoulder. Morton had to leave the field on third and long. Utah's defense got off the field after a stop on third down (10-3, 13:36).

HALFTIME RECAP

Zero chunk plays from Utah: The Utes' normally-potent offense was manhandled by the Red Raiders' defense in the first half, making it difficult for Devon Dampier and company to find any sort of rhythm. Texas Tech's front line held Utah's stout rushing attack to just 3.5 yards per carry, while the Red Raiders' secondary was physical at the point of attack with the Utes' receivers.

Red Raiders can't capitalize off turnovers: Texas Tech was among the top teams in the country in scoring points off turnovers heading into Saturday. Yet, despite forcing three turnovers in the first half, the Red Raiders had three points off those Utes' miscues.

Big plays called back: What would've been a 69-yard touchdown for Jackson Bennee was called back after Spencer Fano was downfield illegally. A big catch for Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas would've put his team inside the Utes' 10-yard line with under a minute left in the first half — but a holding call on Howard Sampson erased that chunk play. Tobias Merriweather had a 10-yard catch called back after the officials ruled the pass incomplete upon a second look, leading to another punt from Utah a few plays later.

2ND QUARTER RECAP

Utah puts points on the board: Dillon Curtis' initial 46-yard attempt was wide right, but Brice Pollock ran into his plant leg and was called for a 15-yard penalty as a result. That allowed Curtis to knock through a 32-yard attempt, putting the Utes on the board before halftime (10-3, 0:00).

Texas Tech gets three more on the board: The Red Raiders appeared to have a goal-to-go situation after a 29-yard reception from Caleb Douglas set his team up on the Utes' 10-yard line, but a holding on Howard Sampson brought the play back. Texas Tech still managed to get points on the board before the half with a 58-yard field goal from Stone Harrington (10-0, 0:43).

Dampier picked off: Dampier's streak of 189 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, dating back to last season, was snapped as Brice Pollack picked off Utah's quarterback near midfield (7-0, 2:11).

Utah forces another punt: Morton, in clear discomfort, was stopped by Blake Cotton on a third down scramble, resulting in a punt from the Red Raiders (7-0, 3:20).

Texas Tech QB steps off field: John Henry Daley delivered a big hit on Behren Morton as he handed it off to his running back, and the Red Raiders quarterback was slow to get up. He returned a couple plays later (7-0, 4:58).

Dampier stopped on third down: A 6-yard rush from Dampier on a third down keeper wasn't enough to move the chains on third-and-12, resulting in the Utes' third punt of the afternoon (7-0, 6:22).

Dallen Bentley makes big third down catch: Devon Dampier dropped a pretty pass right over the top of Texas Tech's defense and Dallen Bentley did the rest, extending his reach while getting a foot down in bounds to move the chains on third down with a 14-yard gain. That was Utah's longest play from scrimmage. (7-0, 9:39).

Not today!: It looked like Coy Eakin had a touchdown in the bag until Jackson Bennee turned his head around at the last second to snag Behren Morton's pass attempt in the nick of time, resulting in Texas Tech's second turnover of the day and setting up the Utes offense once again (7-0, 11:06).

Red Raiders on the move: John Henry Daley almost had his second sack of the day, but Behren Morton made him miss before finding Coy Eakin on the sideline for a 14-yard gain (7-0, 11:58).

Utah still looking for momentum: The Utes defense got its offense the ball after stopping Texas Tech, but Dampier and company still couldn't get the chains moving. Tobias Merriweather appeared to haul in a first down catch on the first play of the series until the referees overturned the call. The Red Raiders continued to snuff out the Utes' screen game on third down (7-0, 13:20).

1ST QUARTER RECAP

A bizarre start in Salt Lake City: Three turnovers, one touchdown called back and several miscues on both sides underscored a wild first quarter between the Utes and Red Raiders.

Texas Tech takes it right back: Jacob Rodriguez punched the rock right out of Wayshawn Parker's hands, resulting in Utah's second turnover of the first quarter (7-0, 1:07).

Give that back!: Utah got the football right back after a pass from Texas Tech deflected off the back of Utah's Blake Cotton and fell in the lap of Tao Johnson, setting the Utes up with a first down from their own 30-yard line (7-0, 3:43).

Utah fumbles: A sporadic drive from the Utes ended with Ryan Davis fumbling near midfield, setting the Red Raiders up with favorable field position after Ben Roberts jumped on the loose ball (7-0, 4:02).

Utes bailed on third down: Brendan Jordan was called for a pass interference on third-and-10, giving the Utes' offense new life (4:42).

Touchdown wiped off board: Dampier rolled right and found Jackson Bennee down the field for what appeared to be Utah's first score of the day — only for the referees to flag Spencer Fano for illegal man downfield (7-0, 4:57).

Utes defense holds strong: A false start on first down set the Red Raiders back 5 yards to start their next drive, then a tackle by Jonah Lea'ea on Behren Morton on third-and-5 brought Texas Tech's punt team on. Utah started its next drive on its own 26-yard line after a kick catch interference call was made on the Red Raiders (7-0, 5:56).

Utah stuffed: Texas Tech held strong on fourth down, as Cole Wisniewski was credited with a stop on NaQuari Rogers. It appeared Rogers extended his arm at the end, but the referees let the game play on (7-0, 7:29).

Utes going for it from midfield: After moving the chains for the first time, Utah was faced with a fourth-and-1 from its own 46-yard line. Dampier and company lined up to go for it before the Red Raiders called timeout (7-0, 8:12).

Texas Tech touchdown: Cameron Dickey capped off the Red Raiders' first drive with a 1-yard rush up the middle, putting his team up 7-0 to start (7-0, 10:15).

J'Koby Williams breaks free: Red Raiders running back took a short pass from Morton 73 yards on third-and-11 after picking up some key blocks from his teammates. It appeared Texas Tech's tight end might have made an illegal block before the ball was thrown, but no flag was thrown (0-0, 11:59).

Utes three-and-out: Dampier found Ryan Davis for a gain of 3 yards on third-and-6, resulting in a three-and-out for the Utes. Texas Tech started its first drive on its own 15-yard line following a 53-yard punt from Orion Phillips (0-0, 13:53).

Utah will receive: Texas Tech won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving Utah the ball to start.

PREGAME

Utah students come out in full force for Big Noon Kickoff: An early start time for Saturday's on-campus festivities certainly didn't deter Utah students from arriving in full force to embrace Fox's Big Noon Kickoff crew. Some students say they were ready to go by 2:15 a.m.

MORE UTAH NEWS & ANALYSIS

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Cole Forsman
COLE FORSMAN

Cole Forsman has been a contributor with On SI for the past three years, covering college athletics. He holds a degree in Journalism and Sports Management from Gonzaga University.

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