{
  "id": 17437595,
  "title": "Texas Tech Makes Drastic QB Change Right Before Arizona Game",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/texas-tech-makes-drastic-qb-change-right-before-arizona-game",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-31T17:04:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/texas-tech-makes-drastic-qb-change-right-before-arizona-game-12644793"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders are set to make a significant change at quarterback before their game against No. 22 Arizona this Saturday. Following the exclusion of Brendan Sorsby from the team this summer, junior quarterback Will Hammond has taken over. The Red Raiders have had variable results with Hammond, who has thrown for 1,561 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions. However, his most recent performance was in a 37-24 loss to Cincinnati in Week 8, which led Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell to remark that there were no excuses for the defeat.\n\nESPN's Pete Thamel reported that the Red Raiders will now turn to former UCF, Boston College, and Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos in Castellanos' first start of the season. Castellanos has completed three passes this season for 45 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, and has also contributed with 65 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Following the Cincinnati loss, TTU head coach Joey McGuire expressed plans to simplify the offense for Hammond, stating that he does well with fast passes on half-field reads. The Red Raiders, with a 6-1 overall record and 3-1 Big 12 standing, will likely need a win-out and a Big 12 championship to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. The quarterback change for Saturday highlights the urgency for the offense.",
  "summary": "Texas Tech is making a quarterback change before taking on Arizona at home in a matchup of ranked Big 12 teams.",
  "key_points": [
    "Texas Tech QB Will Hammond leads team with 1,561 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs",
    "Thomas Castellanos set for first start after former UCF, BC, FSU QB",
    "Red Raiders aim for win-out and Big 12 title to secure playoff spot"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}