Texas Tech defeats Arizona behind quarterback Thomas Castellanos

Number 13 Texas Tech defeated number 22 Arizona 34 to 26 on October 31 in Lubbock, Texas. CBS College Football, Yahoo Sports, and FOX Sports reported that head coach Joey McGuire selected fifth-year backup Thomas Castellanos as the starting quarterback over Will Hammond. According to Yahoo Sports and Yahoo College Football, the lineup change followed Texas Tech's first loss of the season against Cincinnati. [1][2][3][6][7][11]

Castellanos scored three touchdowns to lead the offense, according to Yahoo College Football and Yahoo Sports. CBS College Football reported that the move unlocked the team's rushing attack, including a late option play where running back J'Koby Williams gained critical yardage. Arizona Sports noted that Texas Tech's running game heavily impacted the Wildcats throughout the contest. [1][3][6][9][10]

The win improved Texas Tech to 7-1 overall, while Arizona fell to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Big 12 conference play, according to Yahoo College Football and Yahoo Sports. Yahoo Sports reported that Arizona had entered the game on a five-game winning streak. The victory keeps Texas Tech in contention for the Big 12 championship. [1][4][7]

Castellanos previously played for the UCF Knights, Boston College Eagles, and Florida State Seminoles before transferring to Texas Tech. During his two seasons at Boston College in 2023 and 2024, he completed 288 of 491 passes for 3,614 yards and 33 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,307 yards and 14 touchdowns. [13][16]