Behren Morton is starting the season as Texas Tech’s quarterback for the first time, while coach Joey McGuire is hoping that injuries won’t force a need for a backup again this year.
It has been seven years since the Red Raiders had a quarterback stay healthy throughout the whole season.
Morton was injured last year when he replaced Tyler Shough, dealing with a shoulder problem that led the coaches to end his spring practice early and name him the starter.
That was in April. Now, Morton has nearly finished fall camp in preparation for the season opener on August 31 at home against Abilene Christian.
“This is my favorite camp by far,” Morton said. “Being the guy and having full control of the offense has been great. The shoulder’s 100%. I’m not missing a rep. Feel really good.”
Shough never played more than seven games in any of his three seasons as the starter for the Red Raiders. The former Oregon QB has transferred to Louisville and is expected to start there.
Alan Bowman missed several weeks each year before Shough, so Texas Tech hasn’t had a quarterback play all 12 regular-season games since Nic Shimonek in 2017 (Shimonek also started in a bowl game that year).
McGuire has named West Georgia transfer Cameran Brown as the backup and suggested that the Red Raiders might find ways to use the dual-threat QB even if Morton stays healthy.
