Texas Tech RB J'Koby Williams Emerges As Red Raiders' Top Weapon

LUBBOCK -- Fans groaned as Texas Tech running back J'Koby Williams fumbled at the 2-yard line on the Red Raiders' opening possession Saturday against Arizona State at Galaxy Stadium.

It was a 'here we go again' type of feel for a team that had made a habit out of starting games with a lack of offensive execution.

As a response, Williams went on to record a career-high in rush yards before he could even get to the locker room to see the replay of his turnover.

Williams' 141 yards on the ground by halftime and his career-high 165 yards in total fueled Texas Tech's 53-25 win to stay unbeaten after the off week.

PLAY-BY-PLAY: Game Log from Red Raiders Rolling Sun Devils

Williams's efficiency was most impressive. He only received 11 carries, but averaged 15.0 yards per attempt. He made the most of each rush with four plays of longer than 15 yards, including touchdown runs of 62 and 38 yards.

"I thought the offensive staff did a great job of finding the run. It was extremely effective," Tech coach Joey McGuire said, also crediting some "unreal" blocking efforts by his wide receivers.

Williams didn't get the first carry of the game, but he was McGuire's de facto starting running back due to Cam Dickey being ruled out with a high-ankle sprain that is likely to sideline him next week, as well.

Quinten Joyner chipped in 24 yards, and quarterback Will Hammond used his legs for 25 yards of his own. But this was Williams' breakout game through and through.

Whether Dickey returns quickly or not, Williams showed that he has plenty of juice to be the Red Raiders' bell-cow tailback moving forward.

"It was fun to see J'Koby Williams really get going today," McGuire said. "He's such a special person, man. Y'all have heard me say it a million times - everybody needs a J'Koby Williams in their life. He plays with such a joy, he's a great teammate, and for him to have a day like he did is really, really special."

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The win improves Texas Tech to 6-0 in a turbulent Week 7 at the top of the rankings across all of college football. Saturday's win in front of a sold-out homecoming crowd also marked the Red Raiders' 12th straight home victory, which ties the second-longest streak in program history.

McGuire commended the offensive line's performance in front of Williams after being challenged earlier in the week. The ball carrier also credited his front five for creating the holes necessary to get the big gains.

Williams admitted getting lackadaisical with the football on his turnover.

"My fundamentals went to crap," the running back said. "But I had to get to what's next. I couldn't really focus on that play anymore; it was already dead. I just got to what's next and kept going."

Despite his injury, Dickey remained close with the running back unit throughout this week of preparation. So, too, did backup quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who was used in more red zone rushing opportunities out of the backfield after receiving a new temporary injunction this week in Lubbock.

Williams said the group's spirit helped build confidence and continuity going into the game against the Sun Devils.

"They had energy all throughout the week," he said. "They just brough it to us - they had the energy, we had the energy, so practice was good this week. ... We're just feeding off each other."

The performance was Williams' first game with at least 100 yards rushing since Tech's Week 2 win at Oregon State and the fifth such game of his career.

Texas Tech now turns its attention to a road contest against Cincinnati next week.