J’Koby Williams ran for 165 yards and two long touchdowns as Texas Tech beat Arizona State 53-25 on Saturday in Lubbock, building a 33-point halftime lead that the Sun Devils never threatened after the break.
The Red Raiders improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12. Arizona State fell to 3-3 and 1-2 after changing quarterbacks at halftime, replacing Cutter Boley with Mikey Keene.
Williams scored on runs of 62 and 38 yards and needed only 11 carries to reach his career-high total. Will Hammond passed for 232 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score, while Kenny Johnson caught seven passes for 120 yards.
Roberts turns an early mistake into Texas Tech’s lead
Texas Tech’s opening drive ended with Williams fumbling near the Arizona State goal line. The defense quickly repaired the damage. Ben Roberts intercepted Boley and returned the ball 24 yards for a touchdown, putting the Red Raiders ahead with 7:48 left in the first quarter.
Arizona State then failed on fourth-and-one in its own territory. Hammond scored on a nine-yard run two plays later, and Williams’ 62-yard touchdown made it 21-0 before the first quarter ended.
Boley found Raiden Vines-Bright for a 74-yard touchdown to get the Sun Devils on the board. It did little to slow Texas Tech. The Red Raiders scored on their final seven possessions of the half, mixing Williams’ second long touchdown and Hammond’s 11-yard scoring pass to Coy Eakin with three Stone Harrington field goals.
John Curry’s interception late in the second quarter gave Harrington time to add a 37-yard field goal on the final play of the half. Texas Tech went to the locker room ahead 43-10, having gained 404 yards already.
The Big 12’s official highlights show Roberts’ return and the explosive runs that built that lead:
