Picture this: October 22, 2016, in Lubbock, Texas. Two future NFL superstars were going head-to-head in what would become the most explosive quarterback duel in college football history. Baker Mayfield, the Oklahoma transfer returning to face his former school, versus Patrick Mahomes, the Texas Tech gunslinger with an arm that could launch footballs into orbit. What happened next was pure offensive madness.
How Did Baker Mayfield Handle His First Return to Lubbock?
Baker Mayfield is one of the greatest college football players of all time. The Heisman Trophy winner was electric during his time at Oklahoma, but his journey started as a walk-on at Texas Tech before all the success.
After playing eight games for the Red Raiders in 2013, he transferred to Oklahoma and became the starter in 2015. The move would prove career-defining, but it also set up one of the most intense homecomings in college football history.
Mayfield wouldn’t return to Texas Tech until 2016, when the Sooners traveled to Lubbock to take on the Red Raiders, led by Patrick Mahomes. The atmosphere was electric, and the reception was hostile.
On the “New Heights” podcast, Mayfield explained the atmosphere that night at Texas Tech to hosts Jason and Travis Kelce.
We gotta talk about the greatest QB dual in CFB history: Mahomes vs. Mayfield
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“My first time back to Lubbock, as a player, was crazy,” Mayfield said. “At Texas Tech Stadium, you could hold 68, 70,000. I bet 45,000 of them were chanting F U Baker.”
The hostile environment only added fuel to what would become an unforgettable offensive showcase.
What Made the Mahomes vs. Mayfield Duel So Special?
The game was electric with both Mahomes and Mayfield going back and forth in what would become the greatest college quarterback duel ever. Mayfield recalled that he felt like it was the Sooners against Mahomes.
“I felt like it was Oklahoma versus Pat,” Mayfield said. “We had to score a touchdown every single drive in the second half just to win the game.”
Mayfield’s assessment wasn’t wrong. The two teams combined for 1,708 yards and 125 points in Oklahoma’s 66-59 shootout win, creating one of the most explosive offensive displays in college football history.
Mahomes threw 88 passes during the game, completing 52 for 734 yards and five touchdowns. The former Oklahoma quarterback wasn’t too shabby, throwing for 545 yards and seven touchdowns.
On This Date in 2016: Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes put on a show when Oklahoma and Texas Tech scored a combined 125 points in a single game. pic.twitter.com/OrUvG7GQUu
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2018
Mahomes also showed off his running ability, rushing for 85 yards and two additional touchdowns on the ground. The versatility that would later make him an NFL superstar was on full display that night.
The two quarterbacks traded blows throughout the contest. The Sooners held a 30-24 lead at halftime, but the fireworks came in the second half. After the break, the teams combined for 10 total touchdowns, turning Jones AT&T Stadium into an offensive playground.
Although Mahomes brought Texas Tech within seven with 1:38 left in the fourth quarter, the Sooners ultimately held on for the victory. The game showcased two future NFL stars at their collegiate peak, each pushing the other to extraordinary heights.
It was an epic game involving two future NFL superstars, and Mayfield came out on top. Mahomes would get drafted in the first round by the Chiefs in 2017, and Mayfield would get drafted No. 1 overall by the Browns in 2018.
Nearly a decade later, the game remains one of the most electric in college football history because of the legendary duel between Mahomes and Mayfield. Their performances that October night in Lubbock proved that sometimes the best games happen when two generational talents collide on the biggest stage.
