On the Gridiron
Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-0, 3-0)
Bad Guys: Arizona State Sun Devils (4-2, 2-1)
Where: Mountain American Stadium | Tempe, Arizona
When: Saturday, October 18th @ 3:00 pm
TV & Streaming: FOX
Radio: The Varsity Network
The Line: Texas Tech -7
Game Notes: Texas Tech | Arizona State
Weather Report: Sunny, High 81, Low 61
What’s Next!
🗣️ @SkylerHoward0 #WreckEm | @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/ePO9TMYkCw
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) October 18, 2025
Via ESPN, defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard had surgery yesterday and will miss the remainder of the season, hopefully to return by the postseason.
In additional injury news, QB Will Hammond is expected to start against Arizona State, with Behren Morton being listed as questionable last night:
No. 7 Texas Tech is currently expected to start backup Will Hammond at QB tomorrow vs. Arizona State, sources tell me and @chris_hummer for @CBSSports.
Starting QB Behren Morton didn’t practice all week due to an injury. Hammond was a Class of 2024 four-star recruit. pic.twitter.com/j8t1eb2DER
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 17, 2025
ESPN with the top 25 players thus far in the midseason and LB Jacob Rodriguez is No. 2:
If Rueben Bain Jr. has been the best defensive player in the sport, then Rodriguez is right on his heels. The Red Raiders boast the stingiest run defense in the country — allowing only 62.5 rushing yards per game — and Rodriguez is right at the center of it all. The senior has made his impact felt in the ground game and the air game, forcing multiple fumbles, deflecting passes and snatching multiple interceptions. It’s safe to say opposing offenses hate to see him coming. — Uggetti
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Geise previews and predicts today’s game:
Texas Tech 38, Arizona State 20: Even in their four wins, the Sun Devils haven’t been very impressive. Both of their Big 12 wins were by the skin of their teeth in identical 27-24 contests against teams whose defenses (Baylor and TCU) are not up to the Red Raiders’ level. If there’s a game for Texas Tech to slip up on the schedule, this is the one, but I don’t see it happening.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams writes about DE David Bailey’s NFL prospects:
“I think that just comes down to the coaching I’m receiving right now,” said Bailey, a 6-foot-3, 252-pound senior. “Coach (C.J.) Ah You’s taught me a lot of different techniques and tricks and pass-rushing techniques to help me finish on the quarterback and help me with my rush. I think it comes down to that. And obviously getting faster and stronger as the years go on, I think that has something to do with it.”
Latest episode of What’s Next with head coach Joey McGuire and host, Robert Giovannetti.
Arizona Republic’s Michelle Gardner on Arizona State matching up with Texas Tech:
Head coach Kenny Dillingham pushed his team harder this week, saying the Sun Devils lost their edge and sense of physicality in their last outing.
“Physicality is our identity,” Dillingham said. “I think our guys are like, ‘Man, how did we let that slip for a couple of weeks?’ I think we’re getting back to that. You can’t say it’s your identity; it has to be your identity. It has to be an action. It has to be physical. You saw some chippiness today (in practice) and some physicality; that is our identity, and I had let it slip.”
On the Pitch
Texas Tech soccer defeated Arizona State 3-2 and Taylor Zdrojewski with the first and game-winning goal. Texas Tech will stay in Arizona and will be in Tucson to face Arizona on Sunday, match time is 2:00 p.m. and will be on ESPNU.
At the Net
Texas Tech volleyball is back in action against No. 19 BYU in Lubbock on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
On the Diamond
Double-T 97.3’s Jamie Lent on the latest fall scrimmage updates:
-Of the four pitchers that were used in the contest, Sophomore Will Jordan had the best day on the mound. The right-hander went two scoreless innings, allowing no runs or hits, and striking out four, while giving up one walk. Jordan had a bit of an up and down Freshman season but is expected to be a key part of the Red Raider pen in 2026.
Don’t forget that today, Texas Tech and Oklahoma will play two 8-inning scrimmages today:
Late night workin’ in Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/ZBLnLO7sBL
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) October 18, 2025