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Kliff Kingsbury really lit up Big 12 defenses and the Texas Tech record book in 2002

ByEthan Lee|
Sep 21, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A general view of Texas Tech Red Raiders helmets on the turf before the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A general view of Texas Tech Red Raiders helmets on the turf before the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images | Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

In 2000, a young Texas Tech quarterback stepped into Mike Leach’s offense and became the first Red Raider to ever throw for at least 3000 yards in a single season. In 2001, that same young quarterback improved a bit, threw for more than 3000 yards in a single season again, and became more efficient. 

But in 2002? 

Well, Kliff Kingsbury lit just about everything on fire. We’re talking about improving his offensive output by *checks notes and the Texas Tech football record book* over 1200 yards in a single season. The sort of damage that Kingsbury did to opposing defenses in 2002 is just absurd and really should be talked about.

So let’s do that. I’m going through the Texas Tech record book. Let’s examine how, in one single season, Kingsbury threw for over 5000 yards as he and the Red Raiders torched opposing defenses on a very regular basis. 

Texas Tech football: Kliff Kingsbury became TTU’s first ever to throw for more than 5000 yards in 2002

Let’s take a big picture look at that season for a moment, shall we? In 2002, Kingsbury managed to complete 479 passes off of 712 attempts (that’s good for a 67.27 percent pass completion percentage, which is really good, especially at that sort of volume of passing). 

On top of that, Kingsbury threw 13 interceptions, which is kinda high, I suppose, but it pales in comparison to the fact that he threw a grand total of 45 touchdowns in 2002. That, my friends, is a heck of a lot of touchdowns to throw in just one season.

And as for the yardage?! Well, Kingsbury threw 5017 yards during the 2002 season. 

On nine different occasions, Kingsbury threw for 300 or more yards (Ohio State, SMU, New Mexico, Texas A&M, Missouri, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Clemson). On five different occasions, he managed to throw for 400 or more yards in a single game (New Mexico, Texas A&M, Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Texas).

And then yeah, he threw for 500 or more yards in a game against Missouri (shoutout to the Tigers). It truly was a remarkable season for Kingsbury and the ability to throw for a bunch of yards in a bunch of different games.

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