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Joey McGuire on Behren Morton’s Leg Injury: ‘Nothing is Broken’

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Pete Mundo | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 9:52 AM ET

Updated August 31, 2025 (Originally published August 30)

The Texas Tech Red Raiders had the scare of the early college football season after quarterback Behren Morton was hit and had to leave the game against UAPB with a lower-leg injury. For a program looking to win the Big 12, losing Morton for any extended period of time would have been crushing. But good news came from head coach Joey McGuire on Saturday night, as McGuire told the Texas Tech Radio Network, “Yeah, he’s good. He’s good.” Morton returned the sideline a few minutes after leaving Saturday’s opener after taking a lower leg hit.

After the game, McGuire said, “We feel good about where Behren is. Nothing is broken. We feel like it’s all muscle, hyper extension of his knee and the pain that ran down the outside of that calf and shin area.”

Here’s a look at what the hit looked like.

The hit on Texas Tech’s Behren Morton looks bad the way his knee buckled. He was in the next play, but just a handoff. Limping pretty bad. pic.twitter.com/urnLmmUHYv
— UTESPN (@UTESPN) August 31, 2025

UAPB safety-outside linebacker Tayvon Hardwick came off the edge and hit Morton low, hitting his lower leg. Hardwick was flagged for roughing the passer on the first-down play from the UAPB 11-yard line.

Morton completed 16 of 18 passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns, helping Tech jump out to a 37-0 lead. Two of Morton’s touchdown passes went to tight end Terrance Carter Jr. and one each to wide receivers Reggie Virgil and Coy Eakin. Texas Tech went on to win 67-7.

Morton was replaced by his back up Will Hammond. Morton has dealt with injuries thorough his Tech career to his ankle and collarbone, but he was healthy for the entire 2024 season.

Morton should be able to get at least one week off as the Red Raiders play Kent State, who went 0-12 last season, in Week 2.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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