TCU QB Chandler Morris has always made the most of his moments when they’ve arrived
TCU quarterback Chandler Morris has never doubted his abilities. He believes he can make every throw necessary. He feels his athleticism allows him to extend plays and make things happen with his legs.
Morris has sent that message to his receiving corps since arriving on campus as a transfer from Oklahoma, but he had to wait his turn. It finally came on Saturday with starter Max Duggan sidelined with a broken bone in his foot.
Morris didn’t disappoint in his first college start, throwing for 461 yards and two touchdowns in TCU’s 30-28 upset victory over No. 14 Baylor at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Morris also ran for a touchdown, dazzled by eluding pressures to keep plays alive and even had a catch for 7 yards.
Fox Sports analyst Matt Leinart described Morris as a “magician” in his postgame analysis. Morris’ teammates would agree.
“Unbelievable,” TCU receiver Quentin Johnston said. “You know, he came in and he’s been telling us all year that he’s ready. In practice he’s been ready. His work ethic is unmatched, so he came out and did what he had to do. He exceeded my expectations, actually, which were pretty high, so it’s pretty great.”
Morris, a redshirt freshman, finished with 531 yards of total offense. That ranks second in TCU history behind Matt Vogler’s 696 against Houston in 1990.
Morris picked apart a Bears’ defense that had allowed just 209 yards passing per game. Morris went 29 of 41 for 461 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The 461 yards passing by Morris are the fourth-most in a single game in program history.
Morris credited his receivers for making plays. Johnston had five catches for 142 yards and one TD. Derius Davis had five catches for 81 yards, while Taye Barber finished with six catches for 78 yards.
It was TCU’s first 400-yard passing day since 2016, and the most yards since Trevone Boykin threw for 485 yards at Texas Tech in 2015.
“He threw for a lot of yards, didn’t he? He did pretty good,” TCU interim coach Jerry Kill said, smiling. “No, he made some plays. He’s a playmaker. He’s kind of one of those guys that just kind of makes plays. He doesn’t have the experience running the offense and all of those things, but we knew he was talented and everything. But until you put them in a game and they play a game, then you don’t know how talented. He played pretty good football.
“The most important thing? We won. You judge a quarterback on winning, and we won.”
For Morris, it’s always been about waiting for an opportunity to showcase his talents. He had to wait his turn at Highland Park High School but flourished after he took over the starting reins as a junior.
Morris went 27-2 as a starter, throwing for 7,694 yards and 88 TDs and rushing for another 1,286 yards and 37 TDs over those two seasons.
Morris then headed to Oklahoma as a four-star prospect but found himself buried on the depth chart as a true freshman behind Spencer Rattler. Morris opted for a change and headed to TCU.
Once again, though, Morris found himself in a backup role behind Duggan. Former coach Gary Patterson anointed Duggan the starting quarterback before fall camp, but Morris stayed engaged and was ready when called upon.
“High school really prepared me for it,” Morris said. “I was in a similar situation in high school, just having to wait my turn. And last year at OU, just sitting there and watching a really good quarterback in Spencer, just realizing that I belong. I can compete with these dudes. These dudes who make those throws, I feel like I can make them. Just seeing that in practice.
“Max did a great job with me today, giving me coverages, telling me what he saw. He was a great help. He’s a great leader.”
Now it’s on to Oklahoma State for TCU and Morris. Kickoff for the TCU at Oklahoma State game has been set for 7 p.m. in Stillwater.
The Frogs (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) have renewed hopes of reaching a bowl game after rallying to a victory in the first game since longtime coach Gary Patterson and the school parted ways.
If Morris continues to do what he did Saturday, TCU could be in line for a surprisingly strong finish in one of its most dramatic seasons on the heels of Patterson’s exit.
“This is going to give us a ton of confidence,” Morris said. “We know we can compete with anyone in the country. We’ve just kind of been defeating ourselves I feel like. This was a great statement win. We’ve just got to build off it.”
