Texas Tech football appears to have found its new starting quarterback, and Joey McGuire doesn’t seem interested in reopening the debate.
After Thomas Castellanos delivered a much-needed spark in Saturday’s 34-26 victory over Arizona, the Red Raiders have listed the veteran transfer ahead of Will Hammond for this weekend’s matchup against West Virginia.
Advertisement
The decision represents a significant shift for a Texas Tech team that desperately needed to get its offense moving again after a disappointing loss to Cincinnati.
And Castellanos gave McGuire exactly what he was looking for.
The former Florida State quarterback accounted for 261 yards of total offense and three touchdowns against Arizona, helping the Red Raiders produce 472 yards and overcome a second-half deficit.
Castellanos completed just 11 of 24 passes for 144 yards, but he threw two touchdowns without an interception and added 117 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Advertisement
That rushing ability completely changed the complexion of Texas Tech’s offense.
With Castellanos threatening defenses on designed quarterback runs and option plays, running back J’Koby Williams found considerably more room to operate.
Williams exploded for 175 yards on 14 carries, including a decisive 64-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Together, Castellanos and Williams accounted for 292 of Texas Tech’s 328 rushing yards.
It was the kind of offensive performance the Red Raiders hadn’t consistently delivered with Hammond directing the attack.
McGuire indicated after the Arizona victory that he expected Castellanos to remain the starter, although he planned to review the game with offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich.
Advertisement
The coaching staff has since reinforced that direction by placing Castellanos atop the depth chart for West Virginia.
For Hammond, it’s a difficult development.
The sophomore helped Texas Tech open the season with six consecutive victories, but turnovers and inconsistent passing production eventually became too difficult to overlook.
Through eight games, Hammond has thrown for 1,561 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Castellanos offers a different dimension, particularly with his ability to extend plays and force defenses to account for another rushing threat.
But there’s still reason for caution.
Advertisement
Completing fewer than half his passes against Arizona isn’t a formula Texas Tech can depend on against every opponent.
The Red Raiders will eventually need more consistent production through the air if they hope to compete with the Big 12’s strongest teams.
Still, the timing of the quarterback change couldn’t be more important.
Texas Tech debuted at No. 15 in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings, leaving McGuire’s 7-1 team outside the projected 12-team field.
With four regular-season games remaining, the Red Raiders need to keep winning and position themselves for another Big 12 championship opportunity.
Advertisement
That starts Saturday against West Virginia.
For now, McGuire has made his quarterback preference clear.
MORE: Ex Red Raiders Star Quickly Becoming NFL Defensive Force
Castellanos has the job.
The next challenge is proving the Arizona performance wasn’t a one-week solution.