Fantastic Freshmen Quarterbacks Lead Texas Tech Red Raiders

By Tyler Brett

October 26, 2013

davis webb — Dan Friend – USA TODAY Sports

It isn’t often that a freshman comes in and has immediate success in major college football at the quarterback position. The Texas Tech Red Raiders have found success with freshmen quarterbacks twice already this season as they’ve raced out to 7-0 record heading into their Big 12 showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman. Baker Mayfield and Davis Webb have shown the learning curve is not too steep for them and Kliff Kingsbury has put the offense in their hands.

Mayfield, a walk-on freshman, won the starting job after projected starter Michael Brewer was injured before the season started. He responded by completing 65.7 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,488 yards with eight touchdown passes and five interceptions in five games of action. He has missed the last two games, however, with a knee injury which has opened the door for Webb to step up.

And he has stepped up in a major way. In two starts this season, Webb has complete 67 percent of his passes for 877 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception. He became the first freshman in Texas Tech history to throw for more than 400 yards in each of his first two starts. Last week against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Webb rallied Tech with a freshman-record 462 yards with a pair of touchdowns in the 11-point win.

Kingsbury has allowed his young signal callers to flourish by not restricting them with a limited playbook. This Tech offense runs through their quarterback and Kingsbury’s unwavering faith despite the lack of experience has been rewarded with fearless performances from both Mayfield and Webb this season. With the trust of their coach, they’re able to go out and let loose, showcasing what they’re capable of under center.

So far, they’ve been capable of greatness, combining to produce the No. 1 passing attack in the Big 12 and No. 2 in all of college football. Can the young guns of Lubbock keep the hot start rolling?

—

Join Kris Hughes and Tyler Brett for even more analysis of the Oklahoma/Texas Tech matchup live on the Google + College Football Pregame Rant this Saturday at 10:00 am PST/1:00 EST live online! Join us!

—

You can follow me on Twitter @Teeblerone, on Facebook and on Google