Recalling Previous Texas Tech Quarterback Battles
2004: Sonny Cumbie vs. Robert Johnson
Many observant fans have started to notice the similarities between the 2018 and the 2004 QB battles. In both instances, a high-profile dual-threat QB was pitted against a player that was a virtual unknown coming out of high school.
In 2018, the former Mr. Texas Football, Duffey, is trying to beat out a former JUCO transfer Carter. But fourteen years ago, in Mike Leach’s fourth season, the battle was between five-star JUCO transfer Robert Johnson and former walk-on Sonny Cumbie.
Johnson entered the offseason as the favorite to win the job. He was the fan favorite as the thought of having an elite athlete capable of using his legs to add a new dimension to Leach’s offense was intoxicating. But Johnson failed to seize the job in the spring and as the summer unfolded, the coaching staff was less than impressed with his maturity and work ethic.
That opened the door for Cumbie. The former walk-on from Snyder, Texas had been steady as the back-up to B.J. Symons in 2003 but few gave him a real shot at surpassing Johnson.
Ultimately, the intelligence, discipline and leadership that would make Cumbie a future Big 12 offensive coordinator propelled him to the starting job. However, Cumbie got off to a slow start.
A sluggish 27-13 win over SMU to open the season followed by a road loss at New Mexico had many questioning whether Mike Leach had made the correct call in handing the offense over to Cumbie. But a QB controversy was not in the cards.
After failing to win the starting QB job, Johnson redshirted the 2004 season. Initially threatening to leave the program, Johnson accepted a move to inside receiver where he would star for the Red Raiders catching 156 passes for 1,822 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two-year career.
Fortunately, Cumbie rebounded to lead Tech to wins in seven of the final ten games of the season. HIs career-defining moment came in the 2004 Holiday Bowl when he passed for 520 yards and three TDs in an upset win over Aaron Rogers and the No. 4 Cal Bears.
For the season, Cumbie racked up 4,742 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was the third-consecutive Red Raider to lead the nation in passing proving that Leach did in fact make the right call in this QB battle.