Decisive Performance in Lubbock
No. 12 Texas Tech secured its season-opening victory with a commanding 33-10 win over visiting Abilene Christian on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Red Raiders controlled the contest from the opening drive, leveraging a balanced offensive attack and dominant special teams play to build an insurmountable lead at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock.
Quarterback Will Hammond was the catalyst for Texas Tech’s offense, completing 26 of 33 passes for 298 yards. While he threw one interception, his ability to connect on critical downs proved vital. His connection with Malcolm Simmons in the fourth quarter extended the lead significantly, capping a relentless scoring barrage that kept the Wildcats’ defense pinned against their own goal line.
Scoring Breakdown by Quarter
Texas Tech established early dominance in the first period, jumping out to a 14-0 advantage. Quinten Joyner provided the initial spark with a 14-yard touchdown run, followed shortly by J'Koby Williams bursting through for a 5-yard score. Both touchdowns were successfully converted by kicker Stone Harrington.
The second quarter saw both teams add field goals. Harrington extended Texas Tech’s lead to 17-0 with a 23-yard kick before Abilene Christian’s Brandon Perez answered with a 41-yarder to make it 17-3 at halftime. The third quarter was entirely dominated by the Red Raiders’ kicking game.
Harrington drilled three consecutive field goals from distances of 28, 33, and 45 yards, pushing the score to 30-3 heading into the final frame.
Texas Tech added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 64-yard pass from Hammond to Simmons, making it 33-3. The Wildcats managed to get on the board late in the game when Alex Broome returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, bringing the final margin to 33-10.
