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Zebbie Lethridge quietly leads Texas Tech for fourth straight season

By MARK BABINECK / Associated Press

LUBBOCK -- When Texas Tech and No. 5 Tennessee meet Saturday, a quarterback already among his school's all-time best at his position will trot into Neyland Stadium to begin his fourth year as a starter.

His teams have played in bowl games the last three years and he owns a conference record for most passes without an interception. His teammates respect him so much they've made him a captain three years in a row.

Peyton Manning? Nope.

He's Zebbie Lethridge, Tech's mobile, strong-armed leader who is being counted on more than ever following the departure of star tailback Byron Hanspard and the rest of the team's depth in the backfield.

"Zebbie needs to have a great year, and we have all the confidence in the world in Zebbie," four-year center Jay Pugh from Abilene said. "We know what he does and he knows what we do."

While outsiders haven't always considered Lethridge an elite quarterback, he's admired by his peers and opposing coaches, who named him to the Big 12's second all-conference team last winter.

Red Raiders coach Spike Dykes has been driving Lethridge's public relations bandwagon all summer.

"I think, certainly, he will be everything we ever thought he would be this year," Dykes said. "And, I think this, his senior year, all the leadership and all the hard work will pay off. He is the most fierce competitor I have ever coached."

When critics point to Lethridge's 48 percent career completion rate, Dykes counters that his quarterback is coached to throw balls away to avoid sacks and interceptions. Dykes often refers to Lethridge's Southwest Conference record of 211 consecutive passes without being picked off.

"I think he never quite got the credit he deserves for the things he does that aren't obvious," Dykes said. "He's got some stats that aren't too hot and there's a reason for them. Other coaches recognize that."

In reality, it was Hanspard who carried Tech into the postseason the last three years. Now, traditionally lukewarm expectations have been raised and it's up to Lethridge to keep the streak going.

"People are not really accepting just going to bowl games any more," Lethridge said. "I guess they expect to win a national championship. That's what I want to do, too."

Lethridge has been a football fixture on the South Plains for many years, beginning with three starring seasons at Lubbock Estacado. He redshirted at Tech in Robert Hall's final year and has gone 21-11 since taking over in 1994. The Red Raiders are 1-2 in the bowl games.

"The ups and downs are going to go with this position," Lethridge said. "I feel like my ups outnumber my downs by far."

The 6-foot, 192-pound senior is among the school's top three in all passing categories and third in total offense with 5,935 yards. His 58 passing and running touchdowns are second-most in Tech history.

Last year, Lethridge completed 132 of 261 passes for 1,596 yards and 12 touchdowns. He ran for 289 more yards and another six touchdowns.

This season, the offensive focus will be on Lethridge for the first time. The running game has gone from Hanspard's 2,000-yard ability to a quartet of backs who have never played a college game.

"I don't feel like it's the ÔZebbie and Peyton Show.' It's Tech vs. Tennessee," Lethridge said. "Peyton Manning, to be honest with you, I have no control over. I'm more worried about a guy like (linebacker) Leonard Little than Peyton Manning."

Estacado coach Louis Kelley admits he's biased, but said he'd "just as soon have Zebbie as have Manning" on his team.

Lethridge, a three-sport high school star, has been at the forefront of Lubbock athletics for seven years now. He admits the pressure was more than he anticipated, though not more than he can handle.

"Expectations are pretty high, and if I don't meet those expectations, people start forming opinions, mainly because of your high school stats," he said. "They can see you week in and week out and keep up to date on how you're doing.

"It makes it hard because you know so many people around town, and they always come up to you with questions. That's just something you deal with and try to keep a positive attitude about."