The Texas Tech vs. Utah game took an intense and heartbreaking turn for the Red Raiders. As Texas Tech was cruising with a 10-3 lead over Utah in the third quarter, a drastic tragedy took place when Quarterback Behren Morton went down with a serious hit. Morton had engineered a solid start, completing 12 of 19 passes for 142 yards and showing sparks of his usual playmaking with a 73-yard connection to running back J’Koby Williams. He faced a crushing moment scrambling out of the pocket on a second-and-28 from the Texas Tech 7-yard line.

After dodging defenders for a 10-yard gain, Morton dove headfirst into Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall. As they fell, Hall’s shoulder slammed into Morton’s helmet. That impact visibly shook the Texas Tech quarterback. Morton had battled injuries before, including surgery in the offseason, which made this hit especially concerning. After team trainers rushed in, he got up with their help and immediately headed to the locker room on his own. This was a tough blow for Texas Tech, as Morton’s injury meant turning to redshirt freshman Will Hammond, who stepped in under pressure.

What happened to Behren Morton?

Texas Tech’s quarterback Behren Morton suffered a serious injury that ended his night early. Johanathan Hall delivered a brutal hit that stirred immediate concern, and staff promptly escorted Morton off the field to the locker room for evaluation. Officials initially called targeting on Hall, but after video review, they overturned the call, adding a dash of controversy. What really made this injury stick was just how severe it looked when Morton hit the turf. After that crunching blow, the Texas Tech medical team didn’t take any chances.

Morton was quickly taken out to get a thorough checkup, showing how priority number one was his health and safety. He was holding a 10-3 lead when this happened and had just tried a gutsy 10-yard scramble on a second-and-28. You see, brain injuries and concussions are no joke. The NCAA enforces guidelines that remove any player showing head injury signs from the game. Medical professionals then evaluate the player before allowing a return. These protocols protect players from the long-term dangers of concussions. A recent example that hits close to home is LaNorris Sellers.

Sellers went down during the South Carolina vs Vanderbilt game in Week 3 of the 2025 season. The Gamecocks were battling at home when Sellers took a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit from Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson late in the second quarter. Patterson’s hit was so forceful and high that it drew an immediate targeting penalty and ejection from the game. Unfortunately, he did not return to the game, and South Carolina eventually lost 31-7. Sellers’ injury gripped fans and teammates with concern, underscoring how seriously college football treats head injuries today.

This culture change means players like Morton benefit from the newest medical care and protocols. And because of that team’s medical staff made the call to sit him out for the rest of the game to avoid risking anything worse.

Will Hammond: The next man up!

After Behren Morton got sidelined with that scary hit, all eyes turned to Will Hammond. The redshirt freshman suddenly found himself thrust into the spotlight. But here’s where the story flips. Hammond didn’t just hold the fort; he led Texas Tech to a gritty, gutsy 34-10 win over the Utes on the road. Hammond connected on key passes, including a clutch 24-yard touchdown strike to Terrance Carter Jr., which extended the Red Raiders’ lead and really put the game out of reach. That drive was classic freshman adrenaline mixed with readiness.

The Red Raiders’ running game helped, too. Cameron Dickey was the workhorse, as Texas Tech got on the board early with a 1-yard run from him in the first quarter. Dickey punched in another score in the fourth, sealing the game against the Utes. This balance between the run and pass kept Utah’s defense guessing and prevented them from stacking the box too heavily. The Red Raiders ran the ball 38 times for 179 yards, showing patience and toughness on the ground. Will Hammond threw for 169 yards and two TDs on 13-of-16 passing and added 61 yards on the ground. Now the big question for Texas Tech: Will Behren Morton be back for Houston on October 4?

Morton’s injury hurt, and while Hammond’s breakout gave hope, fans still want Morton back under center. The NCAA and Texas Tech enforce strict safety guidelines, keeping Morton out until doctors completely clear him. Meanwhile, fans have circled the Houston game as a potential milestone in his recovery. Can he come back fully healthy by then? The coaching staff will be carefully monitoring the situation.