Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton exited the Red Raiders’ 42-17 win over Kansas on Saturday with a leg injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Morton suffered the injury on a sack early in the second quarter after guiding the No. 9 Red Raiders to an 18-0 lead against Kansas. Redshirt freshman backup quarterback Will Hammond replaced him and helped put away the Jayhawks to achieve the program’s first 6-0 start since 2013.
The Big 12’s third-leading passer has started every game this season for Texas Tech but has had to exit wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Utah this season with leg and neck injuries.
“It’s the same leg that happened against Arkansas-Pine Bluff,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “I know he’s really frustrated. We’ll see more tomorrow.”
Morton was able to walk off the field, went to the locker room for further evaluation and watched the second half from the sideline in street clothes. The senior produced 91 passing yards and a touchdown on 7-of-12 passing.
Texas Tech starting defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard also exited the game with an ankle injury and did not return, though McGuire said holding him out was more of a precautionary decision.
Hammond went just 7-of-16 passing for 42 yards in relief of Morton and threw an interception, but he also ran for 61 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
“We’re really fortunate that we have a really good quarterback room and they really play off each other,” McGuire said. “You hate it because I thought Behren was playing really well, but once again you have guys that are coming off and having to do more and they’re ready to go.”
The quarterbacks got plenty of help in a historic night for Texas Tech’s rushing attack. Running back Cameron Dickey produced a career-high 263 rushing yards, the most by a Red Raiders running back since 1996, with rushing touchdowns from 71 and 55 yards. Texas Tech finished with 372 rushing yards as a team on 9.3 yards per carry, their second-best rushing output against a Big 12 defense since the conference began play in 1996.
“Cam was the hot guy, and he was really hot, so we rode him,” McGuire said.
The Red Raiders have now won all six of their games by margins of 24 points or more. They’ll go on the road next Saturday to face defending Big 12 champion Arizona State.
