Red Raiders Enter Homecoming Game with 'Clear Mind' After Bye Week

LUBBOCK -- No. 10 Texas Tech ends its midseason bye week with a homecoming afternoon matchup with Arizona State on Oct. 17.

The battle kicks off at 2:30 p.m. from Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock between the two most recent Big 12 champions.

With a win, Texas Tech (5-0) would stay undefeated and extend the Red Raiders' home winning streak to 12 games, which would match the second-longest run in program history.

For the Sun Devils, the Week 7 matchup presents another opportunity to play spoiler. Tech's long regular-season loss came in Tempe last season when Arizona State stormed back from a double-digit deficit and scored a touchdown with 34 seconds remaining.

READ MORE: Opponent Preview - Arizona State Faces Tough Test in Lubbock

In 2024, Texas Tech won its last home matchup against ASU. So, coincidentally, the losing team in the two most recent games in this series has gone on to win the conference championship game that season.

Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond replaced injured starter Behren Morton in Tempe last year. Hammond, now the regular starter in 2026, was 22 of 37 for 167 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Hammond is one of 12 Red Raiders who have played against Arizona State over the last two seasons. Preseason all-conference tight end Terrance Carter Jr. was held to no catches in last year's duel after leaving in the first quarter with a high-ankle sprain.

This season, Carter has dealt with shoulder and foot injuries, but hopes to have used the off week to get to full strength.

"It sucks," Carter said, referring to not being able to finish a game because of an injury. "The type of player I am, I always want to be on the field - like it doesn't matter what's going on, if I'm hurt or not."

Carter said he spent a lot of time in the training room to "get our bodies taken care of," in addition to watching game film of the Sun Devils during the off week.

"I think it's perfect timing," Carter said about the break coming at this point in the season.

"Just for me, not talking selfishly, but the injuries I've been going through, just getting prepared and trying to get back to a hundred percent as quick as possible."

"Honestly, the bye week just cleared my mind," Carter added. "I'd been in my head a little bit about the injuries for real, just thinking I'm getting behind and stuff like that. I want to be the best player always, no matter what I'm doing ... I just always want to be a hundred percent on the field, just showing my ability. Now that I've had the bye week to just chill, get my body right and prepare, I feel like I'm ready for whatever comes next."

While Carter chose not to describe the game as one the Red Raiders had "circled" because of last year's result, he said it was one that remains important because of how it can show the team's improvements.

Texas Tech has played below expectations in first halves this season, only to make the adjustments and turn it on in the third and fourth quarters.

"They're a really good team, and we know what we have to go out there and do," Carter said. "We have to go out there, execute plays the way we know how, and honestly just get this team rolling."

Carter got himself rolling in Texas Tech's last game, hauling in eight receptions for 67 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.

The fifth-year senior leads all active FBS tight ends with 1,697 career receiving yards.