Texas Tech Football: Top 10 Red Raiders quarterbacks of all time
No. 9 Zebbie Lethridge
A hometown hero from Lubbock’s Estacado High School, Lethridge is the 6th leading passer in Texas Tech history with 6,789 yards. A 4-year starter from 1994-1997 for coach Spyke Dykes, Lethridge was a dual-threat quarterback capable of beating teams with his arm or with his legs rushing for 845 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Under Lethridge’s guidance, Texas Tech appeared in three bowls including a 55-14 Copper Bowl victory over Air Force in 1995. In that game, Lethridge was responsible for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
The No. 9 quarterback in program history is remembered fondly by Texas Tech fans for his propensity to beat in-state rivals Texas and Texas A&M. He was under center in 1995 when Texas Tech broke Texas A&M’s 29-game Southwest Conference winning streak. While that game is famous for linebacker Zach Thomas’ game-winning interception return, Lethridge played a tough game against a terrific Aggie defense that battered the Texas Tech quarterback all afternoon.
Lethridge also engineered a win over the Texas Longhorns in Austin in 1997. Until this season, that was the last time the Red Raiders defeated UT at DKR Memorial Stadium.
Though Lethridge was a streaky player and sometimes prone to mistakes, he was a great athlete who quarterbacked Texas Tech to 27 wins in his four seasons. For leading Texas Tech to three bowl games and winning a share of the Southwest Conference title in 1994, Lubbock’s native son checks in at No. 9 on our countdown.
Next: No. 8 Joe Barnes