By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
About the only time Behren Morton struggled at Independence Stadium was early Sunday morning in the postgame press conference.
The Texas Tech quarterback had just been an easy choice as the game’s Outstanding Offensive Player after his 256 passing yards included touchdowns of 27, 15 and 14 yards. Those were the Red Raiders’ first three scores as they took over in an eventual 34-14 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl triumph Saturday night over California.
But when asked by a reporter to assess his performance, Morton didn’t. Not on his first try, anyhow. He checked off and praised his receivers, star running back Tahj Brooks, the offensive line, almost everybody except the band and cheerleaders, but didn’t really address what he’d just done – going 27 of 43 and making only one mistake, an interception in the fourth period with the game in hand.
Another questioner noted how he dodged taking credit like he eluded Cal defenders, and apparently was well-versed avoiding talking about himself, drawing quick nods and chuckles from Tech teammates Brooks and Jacob Rodriguez, and coach Joey McGuire.
Pressed to assess his night, and his evolution this season, Morton reluctantly replied at length. The sophomore had ended his first TTU season as the starter and winner in a Texas Bowl victory, but opened 2023 as QB-2 before Tyler Shough was lost to an injury four weeks in, with the Red Raiders sitting at 1-3. They’re 6-3 since – even though Morton has been hampered by his own series of ailments, notably a banged-up passing shoulder.
“Starting the season, it didn’t go as well, but battling day in, day out and spending a lot of time at the (football) facility with (offensive coordinator) coach (Zach) Kittley and understanding what we were going to see on Saturdays, I think that really helped me out a lot,” he said. “Battling back with the guys has been one of the funnest seasons I’ve been a part of.
“This has been, for sure, the healthiest I’ve been all season. I didn’t have to do any extra medicine before the game, so it was nice,” he said.
“You saw that with the zip on the ball,” said McGuire. “The touchdown to Loic (Founonji, a 14-yarder that put Tech on top to stay, 21-14) was a laser. It probably could have gone through his chest if he hadn’t caught it.”
Getting time off after the regular-season finale Nov. 24 helped, Morton said. So did scouting a defense that looked a lot like the one he sees in preseason and spring ball, and those factors made him optimistic that the I-Bowl was brimming with potential for him and his offense.
“Yes sir. We had two weeks to prepare for Cal, which has a great defense, (but) they’re a similar structure to what we do on defense. It was kind of go out there, play a great game, and we did that tonight and got it done,” said Morton, who as a four-star signee, was the most highly-recruited Red Raider quarterback ever – including Patrick Mahomes.
A key factor in Saturday’s showcase was redshirt freshman receiver Coy Eakin, who led Tech with seven catches for 106 yards, including a sensational grab for the Raiders’ first TD, the 27-yarder from Morton.
“I’ve known Coy since we were about fourth graders, so having that connection has been real special. We used to go to a camp called ‘Airing It Out,’ and we went to that religiously. I can’t speak enough about what Coy’s done for this team, being a team player. He’s always been a solid rock for us when we needed a receiver.”
Rodriguez, a junior linebacker, was the game’s Outstanding Defensive Player. His fourth-quarter interception, combined with a pass breakup and six tackles, helped the Red Raiders keep the Bears off the scoreboard in the final three quarters. The pickoff, one of a trio by Tech defenders, halted Cal’s most productive second-half possession, a 68-yard drive to the Tech 32.
The Red Raiders shackled the Bears in the pivotal second quarter, giving up only one first down and 30 yards, and curtailed them overall after surrendering 183 yards in the first period. Cal collected just 170 yards combined in the game’s next 45 minutes, just 3.5 yards per play after averaging an auspicious 11.4 per snap in quarter No. 1.
Meanwhile Morton and the Raiders’ offense kicked into gear, and the combination trapped the Bears.
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