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Will Hammond Under Pressure As Texas Tech Eyes Changes Before Arizona?
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- Will Hammond Under Pressure As Texas Tech Eyes Changes Before Arizona?
(Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)
Texas Tech's quarterback discussion has moved beyond frustrated fans. Joey McGuire is questioning whether his staff should've given Tommy Castellanos an opportunity during Saturday's loss at Cincinnati.
That admission puts Will Hammond and the Red Raiders' offense under sharper scrutiny heading into the Arizona matchup. Texas Tech remains 6-1, but its first defeat exposed problems that winning had made easier to overlook.
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MORE: Texas Tech's Playoff Hopes On The Line After Cincinnati Upset
"That was a total failure by my part," McGuire said Monday, acknowledging the missed opportunity to put Castellanos into the game.
It wasn't an announcement of a quarterback change. It was recognition that Tech needs more options when its offense stalls.
Hammond completed 24 of 37 passes for 227 yards against Cincinnati, throwing an interception without a touchdown in the 37-24 defeat. Through seven games, he has 1,561 passing yards, six touchdown passes and six interceptions.
His 67.8 percent completion rate offers evidence of efficiency, but the scoring production tells a less encouraging story.
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Hammond has yet to throw multiple touchdown passes in a game this season.
The Cincinnati loss also interrupted a modest stretch of improved ball security. Hammond hadn't thrown an interception in the previous two games.
McGuire's assessment of his quarterback's development was succinct: "Roller coaster."
The staff's response could involve changing Hammond's responsibilities rather than immediately changing starters.
McGuire discussed reducing full-field progressions to half-field reads, while offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich outlined the possibility of fewer concepts and cleaner decisions.
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Those adjustments would aim to help Hammond deliver the ball sooner and avoid letting available opportunities disappear.
Leftwich also ruled out an injury explanation for concerns about Hammond's deep passing.
"No injury issues," he said.
Castellanos provides another avenue, particularly near the goal line. McGuire pointed to earlier success involving the veteran in quarterback running packages against Oregon State and Houston.
Leftwich acknowledged that he wished Tech had prepared opportunities for Castellanos against Cincinnati.
That makes the coming decision more nuanced than simply rewarding or punishing Hammond.
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The Raiders must determine which combination of personnel and play calls gives them the best chance to finish possessions.
Arizona, led by Noah Fifita, supplies an immediate test of whether those conversations produce meaningful improvements.
MORE: Texas Tech NFL Week 7: Douglas Explodes As Mahomes Struggles
Hammond's six victories still matter. So does the inconsistency that surfaced in the seventh game.
Tech doesn't have to abandon its starter to demand better results. But with a capable alternative available, the coaching staff has made clear that its offensive approach is open for review.
