Dickey's left ankle was collapsed on in Texas Tech's 29-7 win over Colorado. X-rays came back negative for a relief in the backfield.
LUBBOCK -- Texas Tech relied on its dominant second-half defense to respond from an early 7-0 deficit and roll to a 29-7 win that included a season-high four interceptions against Colorado on Saturday.
The added field position often gave the No. 11-ranked Red Raiders a boost offensively, but a first-half injury in the backfield helped tell the story of the latest slow start for the reigning Big 12 champs.
Texas Tech running back Cam Dickey was tackled in the second quarter, and his ankle bent awkwardly underneath him. He left the game and did not return, changing out of his pads and into a walking boot after halftime.
X-rays, however, showed that the injury was not as serious as the Red Raiders had initially feared.
"We did get X-rays, because we were worried [about] where the pain was. X-rays came back negative," head coach Joey McGuire said after the game.
Dickey, who was Tech's leading rusher last season with over 1,000 yards on the ground, likely has a high-ankle sprain.
"So usually whenever you're having an X-ray, you're probably looking at a high ankle sprain," McGuire added. "It depends on the guy, but it's always hard playing with a high-ankle sprain [as] a running back."
Thankfully, the Red Raiders are entering their bye week before the Oct. 17 home game against Arizona State. This will allow Dickey time to recover and potentially not miss any action.
But as hard as it might be for Dickey to return in two weeks, it might be just as difficult for Texas Tech to build momentum on the ground in the event that his services are not available.
In his place, J'Koby Williams brought a spark with 88 yards on 17 carries against the Buffaloes. Third running back Quinten Joyner also got snaps in short-yardage situations, but his inconsistency made it hard for him to earn the trust of the offensive scheme.
The pass game was also as quiet as it's been this season. Will Hammond was held to a season-low 134 passing yards, but not turning the ball over was enough for the defense to carry Tech to the finish line.
Joyner did pad the Texas Tech lead late with a nifty 30-yard touchdown run, but for the game, the former USC transfer who missed all of last season with an injury, totaled just 33 yards on his other nine handoffs - many of which were dropped for negative yards.
The Red Raiders failed on two 4th-down conversions in the first half. McGuire explained that the hard-nosed rusher Dickey would have gotten those carries, but even then, he might not have had room to run because the Tech offensive line played so poorly.
Much has been made about Texas Tech's slow starts offensively this season, and after getting outgained by Colorado 375 to 315, the Red Raiders will need to formulate a plan running the football - with or without Dickey - that helps Hammond settle in under center.
On Tech's depth chart, Dickey, Williams and Joyner remain designated as "or" starters, where it's not clearly listed as who McGuire's immediate starter is week after week.
Most will tell you, however, that Dickey's production is what dictates the unit's effectiveness, and having him healthy moving forward will be significant for the undefeated Red Raiders.
