 Texas Tech QB tops 5,000 yards in a season
Posted on: 2003-08-01 by: Gary Henderson
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A monthlong layoff and an ankle injury did little to slow down Kliff Kingsbury.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A monthlong layoff and an ankle injury did little to slow down Kliff Kingsbury.
"Five thousand yards, that's a big number," Kingsbury said. "That shows how well our offense played this season."
Texas Tech (9-5) won its first bowl game since beating Air Force in the 1995 Copper Bowl and gave coach Mike Leach his first postseason victory.
Five different receivers caught touchdown passes for the Red Raiders, and Wes Welker had a 59-yard punt return for a score.
It was the worst defeat of the season for Clemson (7-6), and the worst in a bowl since a 41-0 defeat to Syracuse in the 1996 Gator Bowl.
"I'm totally embarrassed," defensive tackle Nick Eason said. "This was my last game as a Clemson Tiger, and I got destroyed. I might have more games, in the NFL, maybe some All-Star games, but this is one I'll always remember."
Kingsbury, who was named the game's most valuable player, completed 32 of 43 passes and finished his career with 5,017 yards. The only other players to reach the mark are BYU's Ty Detmer, who had 5,188 yards, and Houston's David Klingler, who had 5,140. Both players did it in 1990. Detmer played in 12 games, Klingler 11.
"I felt like we could do some things, seeing their defensive base package and how they lined up," Kingsbury said. "I felt like we could exploit it."
Kingsbury left briefly in the third quarter after Clemson defensive end Khaleed Vaughn appeared to roll onto his right leg. Kingsbury quickly got up, but he hopped only a few yards before falling to the turf and motioning to the training staff. He got his ankle re-taped and jogged on the sideline without a limp, and he returned on the next possession after approval from the trainer.
"He wasn't keeping me off the field," Kingsbury said. "I was going to get back out there."
The Red Raiders were playing for the first time since a 60-15 defeat against Oklahoma on Nov. 23, but they went ahead 3-0 lead after taking their opening possession 82 yards in 13 plays. It was 24-0 in the second quarter before the Tigers blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety and their first points.
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