Tommy Castellanos starts at QB over Will Hammond with No. 13 Texas Tech coming off 1st loss

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Tommy Castellanos began as quarterback for No. 13 Texas Tech against No. 22 Arizona on Saturday, just a week after the Red Raiders' first loss of the season. Florida State transfer Castellanos led the initial opening touchdown drive of the game, concluding the 13-play, 75-yard march with a 24-yard pass to Terrance Carter Jr. Castellanos sustained the drive with a 7-yard run on fourth-and-2 and converted two third downs, including one with another scramble.

Coach Joey McGuire implemented the QB change following their 37-24 defeat at Cincinnati, expressing his frustration as "as frustrated as I’ve ever been in 32 years of coaching." This marked Castellanos' second start this season, although the previous one was a change-of-pace decision before Hammond replaced him. Castellanos had thrown an interception on his debut in a 28-26 victory over Houston, where he started all 12 games the previous season.

The new quarterback's presence in the game extended beyond the first quarter. Castellanos had previously signed with Texas Tech after being undrafted and attempting a tryout with the Miami Dolphins, where he was never added to the roster. His entry into the team came amid a tumultuous period at the quarterback position for the Red Raiders, with multiple changes before settling on Castellanos.