Quarterback Will Hammond and Texas Tech combined for 471 yards of offense in a 33-10 win over Abilene Christian on Saturday in Lubbock. The game opened Texas Tech’s 2026 season as the Red Raiders look to build on last year’s College Football Playoff appearance. Abilene Christian entered as a heavy underdog against the No. 12 team in the country.

Abilene Christian ultimately fell short, but the Wildcats flashed some of the fight that defined their 2024 meeting with the Red Raiders — though not before Texas Tech built an early lead.

After deferring to the second half, Abilene Christian opened on defense. Texas Tech’s first drive ended when Quinter Joyner ran 14 yards for a touchdown.

Hammond, playing his first game back from a season-ending knee injury and offseason litigation involving Brendan Sorsby, conducted the offense with the precision of an 11-piece maestro, finishing 26 of 33 passing for 298 yards and a touchdown. He led Texas Tech to another touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Abilene Christian put one blemish on Hammond’s night when Javeon Wilcox intercepted a pass, getting a foot down in bounds along the Wildcats’ sideline. The redshirt junior was on a medical redshirt at Texas Tech in 2024, when the Red Raiders and Wildcats met in a nail-biter, before transferring to Abilene Christian.

Head coach Keith Patterson praised him afterward.

“He’s a great kid,” Patterson said. He kept to himself a year ago, played some, but now he’s really come into his own. He’s in a big role now, and he makes some great tackles — going up against guys who could be NFL running backs.”

Abilene Christian punted on its next possession, then answered with a 41-yard field goal from Brandon Perez for its first points of the night.

Texas Tech added three field goals in the third quarter. The scores provided the separation the Red Raiders needed, but they also underscored a bright spot for Abilene Christian’s defense, which kept one of the nation’s top teams out of the end zone across seven straight drives spanning the final three quarters.

Abilene Christian’s lone touchdown came on an unusual play: Alex Broome returned a kickoff from his own 2-yard line, broke past two Texas Tech defenders behind strong blocking and raced down the sideline for the score.

Wildcats quarterback John David Black finished 18 of 32 passing with one interception. Receiver Christian Driver caught eight passes for 93 yards. Patterson pointed to the pair’s rapport:

“JDB and Driver were able to connect eight times tonight,” Patterson said. “Driver’s one of those guys who can be relied on — great speed, great route runner. With a first-year quarterback, I think you’ll see that connection and that chemistry continue to improve.”

Patterson remained optimistic despite the loss: “I felt like our players have a great mentality, a great attitude — no matter what the score is, they just keep playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”

Texas Tech plays at Oregon State next week, airing on CBS at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Abilene Christian hosts its home opener against Stephen F. Austin — the team that eliminated the Wildcats from the playoffs last year — streaming on ESPN+.