'We Can Get Better!' No. 8 Texas Tech's Joey McGuire Hungry After ASU Win

LUBBOCK - No. 8 Texas Tech proved that it is still a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 and beyond after embarrassing Arizona State 53-25 on Homecoming in Lubbock.

Following a pattern of underwhelming first halves, the Red Raiders roared out to a 43-10 lead before the Sun Devils even had the chance to regroup in the locker room.

READ MORE: Texas Tech, Big 12 Powers Rise in Rankings After Wild Week 7

This breakout team moment also had two individuals make their impact, as running back J'Koby Williams and wide receiver Kenny Johnson each notched career highs in rushing and receiving yards, respectively.

Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond also finally appeared to be back to his dynamic self, as he tossed for nearly 250 yards with a touchdown and rushed for another to get revenge over the only team to beat him as a starter in his career.

But the Red Raiders were not infallible in the resounding victory, no matter how close it got to perfection.

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire echoed those sentiments in the aftermath of the huge win.

"Proud of our guys. I told them in the locker room, we're 6-0 and we're 3-0 in the Big 12...it's hard to win," said McGuire.

That assessment rang especially true after a historically volatile Saturday that left only six unbeaten teams and saw only four of the nation's top 10 teams win. 

"We're going to be real honest with ourselves...just because we played better in the first half, there's still a lot of stuff we can get better at," McGuire contended.

After concerns about starting games, Texas Tech had the opposite problem with a slight issue closing this one out.

Of course, the eventual result was never in question after the statement made in the first half, but the Red Raiders took an obvious step back out of the break.

Even before the backups started to file onto the field.

Texas Tech failed to score in the third quarter and scored only 10 points in the fourth after taking on a noticeably conservative approach with the huge advantage.

This also includes defense, as Arizona State went from one touchdown from Cutter Boley on a completely blown coverage by the Texas Tech secondary to two touchdowns from backup Mikey Keene in the second half.

While surrendering two virtually meaningless scores does little to take away from the long-awaited arrival of Texas Tech as a powerhouse this season, it does point to the minor areas still left to fix.

READ MORE: Texas Tech, Big 12 Powers Rise in Rankings After Wild Week 7

McGuire and the Red Raiders look to keep on rolling in the back half of the Big 12 slate, with its first-ever trip to Cincinnati next on the list.

The Bearcats host Texas Tech at Nippert Stadium for an 11 a.m. CT showdown that drew eyes in the offseason for the potential return of Brendan Sorsby and now garners attention because of the circumstances leading to his absence.