Texas Tech's Big 12 hopes hinge on solving the Brendan Sorsby-sized hole at QB

Two costly turnovers and persistent red-zone struggles from Will Hammond in Saturday’s loss to Cincinnati exposed a glaring offensive void after Sorsby’s sudden departure

Two costly turnovers and persistent red-zone struggles from Will Hammond in Saturday Late in the first half against Cincinnati, No. 8 Texas Tech faced a vital moment. The Red Raiders allowed a touchdown to go down 11 points, but had a prime opportunity to erase the lead in an instant. The Red Raiders faced a two-minute drill and would start the second half with the ball. Quarterback Will Hammond dropped back and made a horrendous read, throwing only two yards downfield toward his checkdown, nearly throwing an interception. After two successful run plays that ran the clock down to 31 seconds, Hammond launched a floating jump ball, calmly intercepted by Cincinnati safety MJ Cannon, setting up a touchdown to end the half that made it a three-score game.

Cincinnati had this game circled on the calendar after the dramatic Brendan Sorsby saga over the offseason. In a 37-18 loss, a miserable performance for Hammond, the Red Raiders revealed just how much they miss the portal quarterback, who was forced to step away amidst a gambling probe. To turn back the clock, Sorsby played two seasons at Cincinnati, compiling 5,600 yards before entering the transfer portal. Cincinnati sued him over an alleged unpaid buyout. Then he admitted to placing thousands of dollars in bets, resulting in permanent ineligibility from the NCAA.