Red Raiders Lead Cowboys 21-14 at Halftime Behind Three Touchdown Passes by Behren Morton
LARAMIE, WY — The Texas Tech Red Raiders are leading the Wyoming Cowboys 21-14 at halftime in a highly anticipated college football matchup at War Memorial Stadium. The Red Raiders’ explosive offensive play, led by sophomore quarterback Behren Morton, has given them a narrow but crucial advantage over the Cowboys in a game full of big plays and tense moments.
With Morton at the helm, the Red Raiders have been able to establish a strong passing game, connecting for three touchdown passes that have been the difference maker thus far. However, Wyoming has not been easily deterred. The Cowboys’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance, with both sides of the ball continuing to battle it out as the teams head into the locker room for halftime adjustments.
A Strong Start for Behren Morton and the Red Raiders
From the opening whistle, the Red Raiders seemed to be in control, with Morton making quick, decisive throws that put Texas Tech on the scoreboard early. Morton, who has been the center of attention for the Red Raiders this season due to his dynamic playmaking ability, wasted no time in showcasing his skills.
His first touchdown pass came in the early moments of the game. After a solid drive, Morton connected with senior wide receiver Xavier White on a 25-yard pass to give Texas Tech a 7-0 lead. The pair of Morton and White has been one of the most reliable connections for the Red Raiders, and it was evident early in this contest as they capitalized on Wyoming’s defense, which was slow to adjust to the pace of Texas Tech’s offense.
The second touchdown came midway through the second quarter, as Morton orchestrated a well-executed 12-play drive that ate up valuable time. This time, he found tight end McLane Mannix in the end zone with a perfectly placed pass on a short route. The touchdown, which covered 15 yards, increased Texas Tech’s lead to 14-0 and seemed to give them the upper hand, forcing Wyoming’s defense to rethink its approach.
But the Cowboys, as they’ve proven before, are never a team to be counted out.
Wyoming Responds with Determination
After falling behind by two touchdowns, Wyoming responded with grit and determination. The Cowboys began to find rhythm on offense, and sophomore quarterback Andrew Peasley began making plays to get his team back into the game. Peasley, who had been under pressure early in the game, took advantage of a rare defensive lapse by Texas Tech and connected with wide receiver Alex Brown for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
The touchdown helped Wyoming close the gap to 14-7, and the momentum seemed to swing in their favor. Wyoming’s defense stepped up shortly after, forcing a Texas Tech punt and giving their offense another chance to tie the game. The Cowboys were hungry, and their fast-paced offense began to move the ball with more confidence.
Peasley’s passing was sharp, and the Cowboys’ running back, Titus Swen, added balance to the offense with hard, grinding runs that kept the Red Raiders’ defense on its heels. Swen’s ability to gain positive yardage on the ground forced Texas Tech to respect the run, opening up passing lanes for Peasley to exploit.
The Red Raiders Strike Again
Just as it seemed Wyoming might be on the verge of taking control, Behren Morton struck again for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech took the ball on a critical drive, looking to answer Wyoming’s touchdown and maintain their lead.
Morton found his rhythm on the drive, completing passes to several different receivers, including freshman wide receiver Brady Boyd and senior running back Tahj Brooks. After an impressive 11-play, 75-yard march, Morton found his favorite target again, Xavier White, who made a spectacular catch in the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. The touchdown, a 22-yard strike, extended Texas Tech’s lead to 21-7, and once again, it was Morton’s arm that led the charge.
“We have a lot of weapons on offense, but Behren really stepped up tonight,” said Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. “He’s a special talent, and we know he’s capable of big things, but it’s really a team effort. We’ve been focusing on making sure everyone stays involved, and tonight we’re seeing that balance pay off.”
Wyoming Refuses to Back Down
Even with Texas Tech’s latest touchdown, Wyoming refused to back down. The Cowboys, trailing by 14 points, needed a quick answer to stay in the game. Peasley and Swen did just that, combining for a long drive that consumed nearly five minutes of clock time. This time, it was a methodical approach, with Swen finding gaps in the Red Raiders’ defense and Peasley making key passes on third down to keep the chains moving.
With just under two minutes left in the first half, Wyoming found the end zone again, as Peasley completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cooper Ross. The touchdown brought the Cowboys within a touchdown, narrowing the deficit to 21-14.
“It was crucial for us to respond,” said Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl. “Our guys showed a lot of resilience, and getting that touchdown before halftime keeps us right in this game. We’ve got a lot of confidence heading into the second half.”
A Strong Defensive Battle
While both teams have put on an offensive showcase, the first half has not been without its defensive moments. Texas Tech’s defense has been aggressive at times, pressuring Peasley in the pocket and making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Defensive linemen such as Tyree Wilson and Ben Roberts have disrupted Wyoming’s offense, while the secondary, led by cornerbacks Malik Dunlap and Myles Price, has done a solid job of containing the Cowboys’ wide receivers.
However, Wyoming’s defense has not been without its own moments of brilliance. The Cowboys were able to force Texas Tech to punt twice in the first half and made key stops to limit the Red Raiders’ scoring opportunities. Wyoming’s defensive line, featuring players like Devan Gandy and Easton Gibbs, was able to get pressure on Morton at times, forcing a few errant passes.
“We know it’s a matter of staying disciplined,” said Wyoming linebacker Easton Gibbs. “We’ve faced good offenses before, and we know we have the ability to stop them. It’s all about making adjustments in the second half and staying focused.”
What to Expect in the Second Half
As both teams head into the locker room, the second half promises to be an exciting battle. For Texas Tech, the key to maintaining their lead will be continuing to execute the passing game with precision. Behren Morton’s chemistry with his wide receivers and tight ends has been on full display, and the Red Raiders will look to build on that momentum.
For Wyoming, the focus will be on capitalizing on the success they found with the passing game and continuing to rely on the powerful running of Titus Swen. If they can maintain offensive balance and limit the big plays from Morton, the Cowboys believe they can take control of the game in the second half.
Both defenses will need to make key adjustments. Texas Tech’s defense has proven capable of applying pressure to Peasley, but they will need to be more disciplined in their coverage to avoid giving up big plays. Wyoming’s defense will likely need to generate more consistent pressure on Morton, something they were able to do on a few occasions in the first half, to force mistakes.
The stage is set for a thrilling second half as both teams have shown they are capable of explosive plays. With just a seven-point margin separating them, this game is far from decided, and anything can happen as the teams return to the field.
Halftime Score:
- Texas Tech Red Raiders 21
- Wyoming Cowboys 14
This is shaping up to be a game that could have major implications for both teams as the season progresses. Texas Tech will look to extend its lead and secure the win, while Wyoming will strive to complete the comeback and pull off the upset.
Stay tuned for updates on the game’s conclusion and any key moments from the second half.
