Sonny Cumbie - College Career

College Career

Cumbie walked on at Texas Tech, where he enrolled as a student in 2000. He often battled against other scholarship quarterbacks, whom he would later beat out for the starting job such as Cody Hodges and later turned receiver Robert Johnson. He served as 3rd stringer from 2000–2002, back up to record setter B.J. Symons in 2003, and won the starting job in 2004 over Hodges and Johnson. He delivered two big blowouts, a 70–35 win over TCU, and a 70–10 drubbing of Nebraska. Tech was upset by New Mexico 27–24. In Big 12 play Tech defeated Kansas State, Kansas (31–30), Nebraska (70–10), Oklahoma State (31–15), and Baylor. They played eventual National finalist Oklahoma to a 28–13 loss and also played at Texas A&M, losing in overtime 32–25. The Red Raiders finished 5–3 in conference play, 7–4 overall, for third in the Big 12 South, and were invited to the Holiday Bowl.

Cumbie lead #23 ranked Texas Tech to a win in the 2004 Holiday Bowl over then #4 California Golden Bears. Cumbie went 39–60 (65%) and a career high 520 yards and three touchdowns. His performance in that game earned him M.V.P. honors.