The Oregon Ducks are set to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal showdown at the Orange Bowl on Thursday. Both teams enter this clash with an identical 12-1 record, with Oregon coming off a 51–34 win over James Madison in the CFP first round on Dec. 20, while Texas Tech secured its spot with a dominant 34–7 victory over BYU in the Big 12 Championship Game in early December.
However, a lot of eyeballs will be on the availability of Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton and his participation in the bowl encounter. With Morton sustaining a fracture in October this season, let’s take a look at his current status as far as the college football quarterfinal game is concerned.
Is Behren Morton Playing In The Bowl Game Today?
Yes, Behren Morton is expected to play in today’s Orange Bowl matchup against Oregon. The Texas Tech quarterback has been out of a walking boot and has practiced fully throughout the month leading up to the game.
Speaking at Orange Bowl media day, Morton said he feels closer to 80–85 per cent, saying he is not fully healthy but much closer to 100 per cent than he has been in recent months.
Who Will Be Texas Tech’s Starting QB for Orange Bowl Today?
Behren Morton is set to start at quarterback for Texas Tech in today’s bowl game. The Red Raiders’ depth chart lists Morton as the No. 1 option, with Mitch Griffis and Lloyd Jones III occupying the second and third spots.
Throughout the 2025 season, Morton has thrown for 2,643 yards with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 67.0% of his passes across 12 games.
List Of Texas Tech Players Not Playing The Orange Bowl Game
- QB Will Hammond: Injured, out for the season
- RB Quinten Joyner: Injured, out for the season
- OG Hunter Zambrano: Injured, out for the season
- DL Skyler Gill Howard: Injured, questionable
- CB Maurion Horn: Injured, questionable
Backup quarterback Will Hammond is slated to miss this encounter after sustaining a knee injury earlier this season. The likes of running back Quinten Joyner and offensive guard Hunter Zambrano, too, will not feature in the quarterfinal clash, considering they are out for the season, too.
The availability of defensive lineman Skyler Gill Howard and the cornerback is still questionable ahead of this game, with no opt-outs so far from any of the Texas Tech players.
Read More:
- Sugar Bowl Opt-Outs And Injury Report: Top Players Not Participating In Georgia vs. Ole Miss
- Rose Bowl Opt-Outs And Injury Report: Top Players Not Participating In Alabama vs. Indiana
- Orange Bowl Opt-Outs And Injury Report: Top Players Not Participating In Oregon vs. Texas Tech
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
