Texas Tech QB Behren Morton ruled out after taking hard hit vs. Utah

Following Texas Tech’s 34-10 win over Utah on Saturday, head coach Joey McGuire provided a health update on quarterback Behren Morton.

“He’s good. He was in the locker room, gave me a big hug,” McGuire said. “It’s always tough. That hit that he took, I know everybody saw it, but that was a big hit. We came in and evaluate him, they came back out and said ‘hey, he’s doing really, really good, he’s in a good spot.’ So, feel good, we’re lucky that we have a bye week…

“I know he’s frustrated because he wants to be out there and he wants to be the guy leading us down the field, but he’ll be back and be ready to go.”

Morton exited in the third quarter of Saturday afternoon’s game against Utah after taking a hit to the head from linebacker Johnathan Hall.

Morton scrambled out of the pocket on a 2nd-and-28 near his own end zone. He made it just over 10 yards before attempting to slide. Hall then made contact with Morton’s helmet and shoulder on impact.

Morton laid still on the field for a moment after the hit before he was helped to his feet. The fifth-year quarterback swayed on his feet and held on to the collar of guard Davion Carter’s jersey to keep himself upright.

He was assessed by officials and coaches before walking off the field under his own power. He then walked to the locker room.

Morton was removed from the game earlier in the second quarter after being hit on a delayed handoff. Running back Cameron Dickey took the ball from Morton as the quarterback was laid out by a Utah defender.

Officials required Morton to be assessed on the sideline, but he returned two plays later.

Morton had thrown two interceptions and fumbled the ball on a sack before leaving the game in the third quarter.

With Morton out, redshirt freshman Will Hammond took over at quarterback for the Red Raiders.

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