CFP QUARTERFINAL AT THE CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL: OREGON VS TEXAS TECH

December 30, 2025

Behren Morton

Hard Rock Stadium

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Press Conference

BEHREN MORTON: I think it's going to be a great match-up. I think Oregon is very talented. They're really good up front. I think they do a lot of good things on defense. I think they're fundamentally sound. I think that they are assigned well and they do their job. But we've got a high-powered offense. We've got a lot of playmakers on the field, too.

I'm excited for the game. I think it's a great opportunity for Lubbock, too. I think Lubbock deserves a game like this, and I think there's going to be a lot of Red Raiders here, too, so it's going to be a lot of fun.

Q. Everybody talks about Alabama, Ohio State. Who is Texas Tech, and what makes them a contender for the National Championship?

BEHREN MORTON: Yeah, I think it goes back to our head guy. I think Coach McGuire has done a phenomenal job of (indiscernible). I really think our culture is top-notch. I think what he's trying to build here at Texas Tech is something really special.

There's some really good people in West Texas for sure, and I think that's what elevates Lubbock for sure.

Q. When you saw the destination for the bowl game, Miami, were you thinking of coming here --

BEHREN MORTON: Yeah, for sure. To get to play in 80-degree weather and the facilities we get to use here has been awesome. The people of the Orange Bowl have been great, and I know the guys have enjoy the trip for sure.

Q. How much have you watched of Oregon?

BEHREN MORTON: Yeah, I've watched a lot. I do think that they're a very talented team. I think that there's ways that we can get the ball to J'Koby Williams in the backfield. Cameron Dickey, a power back. I think there's different ways to attack them.

I think having the bye that we've had, 20-something days since we've played, I think it's helped us get guys back healthy. Myself, I think it's been really beneficial having this bye for sure.

Q. After all that time off, like you said, getting guys rested up, is there almost a rust factor to start the game?

BEHREN MORTON: Yeah, for sure. There's going to be a lot of nerves at the beginning of the game. It's a big game. But at the end of the day, it's football, and once the ball is spotted, we'll get comfortable with it.

But Coach McGuire has done a great job of -- we're practicing five days a week. We got to go home for Christmas for a couple days, but that's about it. Just staying in shape, getting ready for the game.

Q. Do you feel like you have to match Oregon's explosiveness or lean on your defense which is pretty good with the guys you have?

BEHREN MORTON: Yeah, for sure. There's no reason to do anything out of the ordinary. Play the next play. My job, keep it simple, get the ball to playmakers, let them do the work in the open field.

But our defense is a great defense. It's been all year that we're not sitting on the sideline for long. To have the defense that we have, it's very securing for sure.

Q. How do you see the match-up between you and Dante?

BEHREN MORTON: Yeah, I have a lot of respect for Dante. He's a phenomenal player. We're actually part of the same agency. I know a little bit about him. But he's a phenomenal player and a great person, too.

Q. Having some time off, what's that allowed you to do the last few weeks?

BEHREN MORTON: Yeah, this whole bowl prep has been really good for me. I've been basically 100 percent in practice as far as team reps. I haven't been able to do team reps really all season long. Been in the boot for probably about seven weeks, eight weeks throughout the season. Got out of the boot -- I'd been wearing the boot.

Just getting the body back to playing football again. It's been a while since I've gotten to do that. I think it's been good that we've had this time off.