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Texas Tech head coach loves freshman quarterbacks! A season removed from coaching Johnny Manziel to becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman, he's achieved another first. On Friday night, Baker Mayfield became the first true freshman, walk-on, quarterback to start a season opener for a BCS school. The result was a 41-23 season opening win over SMU on the road.
"I haven't been around many kids with a bigger chip on their shoulder, and rightfully so. He practiced like a senior the last week. He didn't look like a true freshman who got here the second summer session." - Kliff Kingsbury on Baker Mayfield
Mayfield was in complete control of the Red Raider offense, tallying up 413 yards and four touchdowns through the air and a rushing touchdown as well. He was the catalyst to a turning the game from a close contest in the fourth quarter into a blowout win.
Nursing a 20-16 win, Mayfield scored on an 11-yard run with ten minutes left. He then threw touchdown passes to Jakeem Grant (3-yards) and Reginald Davis (22-yards) to put the game out of reach at 41-16. SMU was able to add a meaningless touchdown with one minute left, but by that time Mayfield had already become the centerpiece of everyone's story.
Michael Brewer was slated to be the starter for the Red Raiders this season but back issues prevented him from being able to get the nod on Friday night. With the performance that Mayfield put on in his debut, Tech may be looking at a bit of a quarterback controversy early into the season.