MEMORIES: Texas Tech Was 16-21 During Patrick Mahomes’ Three Seasons as QB
It’s almost unthinkable now, but there was a time when Patrick Mahomes wasn’t seen as the surefire superstar he is today. Before he became a two-time NFL MVP, three-time Super Bowl champion, and one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in football history, Mahomes was slinging passes for a Texas Tech team that was, at best, painfully average.
As of this time last year, the reality of Texas Tech’s record during Mahomes’ tenure had resurfaced—a stark reminder that even with arguably the most gifted quarterback in modern history, the Red Raiders still found a way to be mediocre.
From 2014 to 2016, while Mahomes was at the helm, Texas Tech posted a 16-21 overall record and only reached one bowl game, where they were thoroughly outmatched by LSU in a 56-27 rout. It raises an interesting question: How did a program have one of the most talented quarterbacks ever and still fail to achieve much success?
Texas Tech’s Struggles During the Mahomes Era
2014: A Rough Start for Kliff Kingsbury and Texas Tech (4-8 Record)
Mahomes arrived at Texas Tech in 2014, where he was initially the backup to Davis Webb. The Red Raiders, led by head coach Kliff Kingsbury, were still trying to find their footing in the post-Mike Leach era, but things weren’t going well.
That season, Mahomes saw limited action until Webb suffered an injury, forcing the freshman quarterback into the starting role late in the year. Mahomes showed flashes of brilliance, including an incredible 598-yard, 6-touchdown performance against Baylor, but Texas Tech’s defense was a disaster, and they limped to a 4-8 finish.
Key Takeaway:
- Mahomes showed promise, but Texas Tech had one of the worst defenses in the country, making it nearly impossible to win games.
2015: Mahomes Breaks Out, But Texas Tech is Still Just 7-6
In his first full season as a starter, Mahomes established himself as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the nation. He threw for 4,653 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, showcasing his ridiculous arm talent and playmaking ability.
The Red Raiders improved to 7-5 in the regular season, earning a spot in the Texas Bowl against LSU. However, despite Mahomes’ efforts, Texas Tech was completely outclassed by Leonard Fournette and the Tigers, losing 56-27 in a game that highlighted just how one-dimensional the Red Raiders were.
Texas Tech’s defense ranked 125th out of 128 teams, allowing an abysmal 43.6 points per game. Mahomes could light up the scoreboard, but it didn’t matter when his defense was giving up touchdowns at an even faster rate.
Key Takeaway:
- Mahomes had a monster season, but the defense was historically bad, leaving the team stuck in mediocrity.
2016: Mahomes Posts Video Game Numbers, But Texas Tech Goes 5-7
If 2015 was Mahomes’ breakout season, then 2016 was the year he solidified himself as a future NFL star. In his final season at Texas Tech, Mahomes put up 5,052 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with 285 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
His best individual performance came in a 66-59 loss to Oklahoma, where he threw for 734 yards (tied for the most in a single game in NCAA history) and accounted for 819 total yards of offense, setting an FBS record.
Despite these jaw-dropping numbers, Texas Tech still finished the season 5-7, missing out on a bowl game. Why? The defense was still atrocious, ranking 128th in total defense, allowing 43.5 points per game.
Even Mahomes himself couldn’t overcome a defense that surrendered upwards of 50 points on a regular basis.
Key Takeaway:
- Mahomes put together one of the greatest individual seasons ever, but Texas Tech still couldn’t even make a bowl game because the defense was beyond terrible.
Why Was Texas Tech So Bad With Mahomes?
1. Historically Awful Defense
Texas Tech’s defensive struggles during Mahomes’ tenure were legendary. Over those three seasons, the Red Raiders ranked:
- 2014: 125th in scoring defense (41.3 PPG allowed)
- 2015: 125th in scoring defense (43.6 PPG allowed)
- 2016: 128th in scoring defense (43.5 PPG allowed)
It didn’t matter how many points Mahomes and the offense put up—the defense could never hold up its end of the bargain.
2. Lack of Talent Around Mahomes
Aside from a few standout playmakers like Jakeem Grant and Keke Coutee, Texas Tech’s roster wasn’t exactly loaded with elite talent. Mahomes often had to carry the entire offense, and when the game was on the line, he had to make superhuman plays just to keep the Red Raiders competitive.
3. Kliff Kingsbury’s Inexperience
While Kliff Kingsbury is widely respected as an offensive guru, he was still a young and inexperienced head coach at the time. His teams were always explosive on offense but undisciplined on defense, and he struggled to build a well-rounded program.
Even with Mahomes putting up record-breaking stats, Kingsbury couldn’t lead the Red Raiders to consistent success.
The Legacy of Mahomes at Texas Tech
Despite Texas Tech’s struggles, Mahomes’ impact on the program was undeniable. He turned heads with his highlight-reel plays, made Texas Tech football exciting, and ultimately became the greatest player in program history.
Since leaving college, Mahomes has transcended the sport, winning multiple Super Bowls, MVPs, and revolutionizing the quarterback position. His success in the NFL only makes Texas Tech’s mediocrity during his time there even more baffling.
In the end, Texas Tech’s 16-21 record with Mahomes will always be a bizarre footnote in college football history. How did a team with the most talented quarterback of his generation still manage to be so painfully mid?
The answer? An all-time bad defense, a lack of overall talent, and a program that simply wasn’t ready to maximize the greatness they had under center.