NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Midway through the first half Saturday night, Behren Morton took off running and dove into the Jones AT&T Stadium turf onto his left shoulder.
The left shoulder’s not the one that was the source of so much consternation last season, but it makes the people watching Texas Tech football hold their breath just the same.
“First time he ran and slid and made sure he was on his left side and not his right side — all that stuff we’ve been talking about for a full year,” Tech coach Joey McGuire said, “I asked him, ‘How’d it feel getting hit?’ He was like, ‘Oh, coach, we’re ready to go. I feel great.’ “
Indeed, Morton gave the Red Raiders nothing to worry about in an otherwise tense 52-51 overtime victory against Abilene Christian in the season opener. The fourth-year junior from Eastland threw for a career-high five touchdowns, completing 30 of 42 passes for 378 yards, the latter figure one off his career high.
More: Texas Tech football takeaways: Red Raiders hold on for the win over ACU
More: Texas Tech football: Do the Red Raiders get an F for an opening-night scare? | Report card
Morton picked up where he left off last season when he was voted most outstanding offensive player of the Independence Bowl. In between, he was shut down in spring football after six practices because of his troublesome right shoulder and spent part of the off-season seeking advice on how to keep it healthy.
McGuire and offensive coordinator Zach Kittley have harped on him about avoiding needless contact and throwing the ball away when a receiver’s not open.
“I think he got the ball out on time, and he limited the times that he got hit,” McGuire said when asked what he liked best about Morton’s performance. “A lot of it’s the offensive line, but some of it’s the quarterback, too. I just thought his timing getting the ball out was really big.
“I…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/behren-mortons-5-td-passes-053654690.html
Author : Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Publish date : 2024-09-01 05:36:54
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
