Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond, who replaced injured starter Behren Morton in the second half, fumbled the ball away on a potential game-winning possession late in the Red Raiders’ 35-34 loss to TCU Saturday in a Big 12 matchup in Fort Worth, Texas.
Morton, who completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 137 yards in the first half, did not play in the second half because of a shoulder injury.
Hammond fumbled while scrambling when he was tackled by Hakeem Ajijolaiya at the TCU 27 with 1:38 left. Markis Deal recovered the fumble for the Horned Frogs (5-3, 3-2 Big 12).
Hammond completed his first nine pass attempts then went five straight without a completion, finishing 10 of 15 for 121 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.
Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2) had all three of its timeouts at the time of Hammond’s fumble.
TCU was able to get one first down but was forced to punt with 35 seconds left from its 40.
Texas Tech began its final possession at its 23 with 29 seconds left but was unable to advance the ball.
Texas Tech took a 34-21 lead with 11:13 left following a 24-yard field goal by Gino Garcia.
TCU drove 75 yards on eight plays in 2:31 to cut the lead to 34-28 on Josh Hoover’s 8-yard touchdown pass to DJ Rogers.
Hoover threw for 344 yards while completing 21 of 32 pass attempts. He had three touchdown passes and two interceptions.
After Texas Tech was forced to punt, Hoover connected with Eric McAlister for an 84-yard scoring strike.
The longest play from scrimmage this season for the Horned Frogs gave them a 35-34 lead with 5:10 left.
When Texas Tech was faced with a fourth-and-2 at the TCU 45 with 2:44 remaining, Hammond scrambled five yards for the first down.
His fumble occurred five plays later.
The Red Raiders rallied from trailing 14-3 in the first quarter after the Horned Frogs’ Savion Williams rushed for a 35-yard touchdown and Hoover connected with Williams for a 75-yard score.
Texas Tech scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 17-14 lead at halftime.
One of the touchdowns was a 4-yard touchdown run by placekicker Reese Burkhardt in which the holder Jack Burgess flipped the ball behind his head to Burkhardt, who was already on the run.
