Texas Tech University Athletics
Karoll, Pollock garner Big 12 weekly honors
October 05, 2026 | Football
Will Karoll was recognized for the third time already this season after Texas Techโs 29-7 victory over Colorado
LUBBOCK, Texas โ Will Karoll's dominance of the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week award continued Monday as the Texas Tech senior punter was recognized for the third time this season, while cornerback Brice Pollock was also honored as one of the league's top defensive standouts from this past weekend.
Karoll, who has now been the conference's top special teams performer in three of five weeks this season, was excellent again in Texas Tech's 29-7 victory at Colorado, booting a pair of punts at least 60 yards in the second half that placed the Buffaloes deep in their own territory. Karoll had punts of 67 and 66 yards in the second half that were downed at the Colorado 13 and 2-yard lines and set up Texas Tech takeaways.
The Red Raiders recorded interceptions on each of the next two possessions following Karoll's two second-half punts, leading to 10 points, including seven from the defense. Karoll sailed a 66-yard punt that was downed at the 2-yard line midway through the fourth quarter with the Red Raiders leading 15-7 at the time. John Curry picked off Colorado in its own end zone on the next play to all but seal Texas Tech's fourth-consecutive road win by at least 10 points dating back to the 2025 season.
Karoll punted three times overall for an average of 55.7 yards with no returns by the Buffaloes (also no touchbacks). It marked the second time in as many Big 12 games that Karoll has averaged at least 55.0 yards on three or more punts as he previously recorded a 58.7 clip over three attempts against Houston. He is the first FBS punter since Michael Turk in 2021 and just the ninth FBS player since 2001 to hit that average twice in conference games with a minimum of three punts.
Following the performance, Texas Tech is the NCAA FBS leader for net punting, gaining an average of 47.6 yards this season each time Karoll is called upon. Karoll is also the individual NCAA punting leader at 50.0 yards an attempt so far this season.
This is the second time in Pollock's career to garner Big 12 defensive honors, meanwhile, as he was previously recognized following his other two-interception performance a year ago against Oregon State (Sept. 13). Pollock sparked four second-half takeaways with a pair of interceptions in the third quarter Saturday, pushing Texas Tech to another strong defensive performance at Colorado.
Pollock spoiled a Colorado trick play attempt on its first drive of the second half, sprinting to the opposite sideline to pick off his first pass of the season, all while getting a toe down to stay in bounds. He'd step in front of an Isaac Wilson pass two possessions later, returning the interception 24 yards into Colorado territory. The Red Raiders settled for a Stone Harrington field goal on each of the next two possessions, erasing a 7-3 halftime deficit to take a 15-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.
For Pollock, he now has eight interceptions for his career, which ranks tied for third nationally among all active FBS players. Texas Tech has recorded seven interceptions the past two weeks alone as the Red Raiders now rank tied for ninth nationally with 10 takeaways for the season.
The Red Raiders are in the midst of their lone open week on the 2026 schedule as Texas Tech will next host Arizona State on Oct. 17 inside a sold-out Galaxy Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. with coverage provided nationally on FOX and the Texas Tech Sports Network.
