Air raid offense

In American football the air raid offense refers to an offensive scheme popularized by such coaches as Mike Leach, Hal Mumme, Sonny Dykes, and Tony Franklin during their tenures at Valdosta State, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, and Washington State.

The system is designed out of a shotgun formation with four wide receivers and one running back. The formations are a variation of the run and shoot offense with two outside receivers and two inside slot receivers. The offense also utilizes trips formations featuring three wide receivers on one side of the field and a lone single receiver on the other side.

History
The offense owes a lot to the influence of BYU HC LaVell Edwards who utilized the splits and several key passing concepts during the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's while coaching players such as Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Robbie Bosco, and Ty Detmer. Mike Leach has made reference that he and Hal Mumme largely incorporated much of the BYU passing attack into what is now known as the Air Raid offense. Some of the concepts such as the Shallow Cross route have been incorporated into such offenses as the West Coast Offense during the early 1990's as well, prominently under Mike Shanahan while he was the head coach of the Denver Broncos.

The offense first made its appearance when Mumme & Leach took over at Iowa Wesleyan University and Valdosta State and had success there during the late 1980's and early 1990's. The first exposure into Division 1A was at the University of Kentucky starting in 1997. There, Mumme & Leach helped turned highly touted QB Tim Couch into a star and later a 1st Round pick in the NFL Draft. Mike Leach would then coordinate the offense at the University of Oklahoma in 1999 to moderate success before landing the head coaching job at Texas Tech. Shortly into the early 2000's, assistant coaches started landing coaching jobs such as Chris Hatcher at Valdosta State, Art Briles first at Houston then Baylor, and Kevin Sumlin at Houston.

Air raid system
The Scheme is notable for being very pass centric with as many as 65-75% of the calls during a season being a pass play. A large reason is due to the control that is placed on the QB who has the freedom to audible to any play based on what the defense is showing him at the line of scrimmage. In at least one instance, as a result of the QB's ability to audible, as many as 90% of the run plays called in a season were audibled to at the line of scrimmage.

Another factor in this offense is the inclusion of the no huddle. The QB and the offense race up to the line of scrimmage, diagnose what the defense is showing, and then snap the ball based on the QB's play call. This not only allows a team to come back if they are down a lot as seen in the 2006 Insight Bowl but it also allows them to tire out the defense and allow for bigger runs and bigger pass completions.

One important aspect is the split of the offensive linemen. Normally they are bunched together but in the this offense, they are often split apart about a half to a full yard from another. While this allows easier blitz lanes in theory, it forces the defensive ends and defensive tackles to have to run further to reach the quarterback for a sack. The quick, short passes are then able to offset any Blitz that may come. Another advantage is that by forcing the defensive line to widen, it opens up more wide open passing lanes for the QB to throw the ball through without fear of having their pass knocked down or intercepted.

Core pass plays
The three biggest plays in the offensive scheme are what is known as the Shallow Cross, the Screen package, and the Mesh route. The Shallow Cross was originally invented by the coaches at BYU during the 1980's and partially updated by coaches such as Mike Shanahan for the West Coast Offense.

The Shallow Cross often involves the quarterback taking a quick three step drop and watches one of the inside receivers cross a yard or two behind the defensive linemen. The opposite inside receiver will often run a square in route with an option to button hook if there's an open area. The Mike Shanahan variations were a bit more complex and involved the opposite inside receiver running a corner post pattern. One of the biggest benefits of the Shallow Cross as a play is that it involves a speedy receiver who can get open across the field if being covered by a linebacker while forcing the field behind the linebackers to open up for the opposite inside receiver. If the safeties cover the second inside receiver, that then opens the deep field for the two outside receivers. This has become a staple of teams such as the New England Patriots in the National Football League.

The Wide Receiver Screen Pass involves the quarterback taking a quick one step drop and throwing to the receiver, who will catch the ball, then following the blockers ahead of him to get downfield. This play has started to become a staple in the National Football League. The main screens use are the Bubble Screen, where the inside WR catches the ball and heads outside as the outside WR blocks inside, and the WR Screen where their roles are inversed as the outside WR cuts inside and the inside WR blocks outside. Also a delayed screen to the RB is quite common.

The final play is what is called the Mesh route. It involves the two inside receivers "meshing" as they run their routes. Both inside receivers will run a shallow cross and force the defenders covering them to bump into the other or sidestep their teammate. This allows for one of the inside receivers to get separation while continuing their shallow crossing route. The biggest advantage of this play series is that one of the linebackers will often have to stop their coverage, allowing that inside receiver to then become open in an area that is uncovered.

Play names
 * Y Cross: Entails the Y/Slot Receiver (in 2 RB Sets) or an Inside Receiver (in 3-4 WR Sets) to run a crossing pattern over the middle of the field.  This generally involves forcing the defense to put an outside linebacker or middle linebacker to defend the slot receiver who is oftentimes much faster and able to get separation through their speed, making for an easy pass from the quarterback.
 * Y Sail: Involves the Y/Slot Receiver (in 2 RB Sets) or an Inside Receiver (in 3-4 WR Sets) to run what is called a Sail, generally running north and cutting sharply at an angle away from the middle of the field towards the sideline.  This forces the defense to either put an outside linebacker against the receiver or a safety, allowing for the middle of the field to open up for another receiver or allowing for the speed of the receiver to beat the defender towards the sideline.
 * Mesh: Involves the 2 inside receivers to run shallow crosses and force the linebackers to avoid hitting their teammate to continue covering them.  Often allows a teammate to get separation when their defender is forced to stop or gets picked by their own teammate.  Another play that can allow a quick, easy throw from the quarterback.
 * Shakes: Involves the outside receivers starting out their route by running inside as if running a slant and go (sluggo) route but at the end of their route, they cut sharply at an angle towards the sideline much like the Y Sail play.  The speed and sharpness of their cut outside allows for the receiver to get separation from their defender.
 * Screens: A staple of this offense in part due to the sheer variety that coaches like Mike Leach and Hal Mumme employ.  Inside WRs can run bubble screens where they run parallel to the line of scrimmage and let the outside WR block.  Outside WRs can run inside and allow the inside WRs to block.  HBs can run flat screens and let the inside and outside WRs block.
 * 6 or Verticals: Exactly what it says.  All the wide receivers run vertical routes trying to stretch the defense and utilize their speed to get by their defender.  Mike Leach mentioned in his book that he added a wrinkle, allowing for the quarterback to throw towards the receiver's shoulder closest to the sideline (back shoulder throw) and allow for the receiver to essentially turn the play into a button hook route by stopping short and coming back to the ball.  Since the defender is going so fast vertically, he has to stop and takes longer to get back to the ball compared to the receiver.
 * Shallow Cross: The Y/Slot receiver runs a shallow crossing route underneath where the middle linebacker is.  The other inside receiver runs a deeper route where he cuts sharply and runs parallel to the line of scrimmage in front of the deeper safety.  Depending on whom the linebacker covers (the crosser or the square in receiver), the quarterback has 2 options to throw to and both should be wide open as a result.

Coaches

 * Hal Mumme - head coach at Valdosta State 1992-1996, Kentucky 1997-2000, SE Louisiana 2003-2004, New Mexico State 2005-2008, and McMurry 2009-2012. He will be the offensive coordinator at James Madison starting in 2013.
 * Mike Leach - offensive coordinator under Mumme at Valdosta State 1992-1996 and Kentucky 1997-1998, then at Oklahoma in 1999; head coach at Texas Tech 2000-2008; head coach at Washington State in 2012.
 * Mark Mangino - offensive line coach at Oklahoma in 1999 under Leach; offensive coordinator at Oklahoma 2000-2001 after Leach's departure; head coach at Kansas 2002-2009.
 * Art Briles - running backs coach at Texas Tech under Leach from 2000-2002; head coach at Houston 2003-2007 and Baylor 2008-present.
 * Ruffin McNeil - at Texas Tech under Leach as linebackers coach 2000-2006 and defensive coordinator 2007-2009; head coach at at East Carolina 2010–present.
 * Clay McGuire - offensive line coach at Washington State 2012 under Leach; played under Leach at Texas Tech.
 * Eric Morris - inside wide receivers coach at Washington State 2012 under Leach; played under Leach at Texas Tech. Will be IWR coach at Texas Tech starting in 2013.
 * Robert Anae - offensive line coach at Texas Tech 2000-2004 under Leach; offensive coordinator at BYU 2005-2010; Will be OC at BYU starting in 2013.
 * Josh Heupel - played QB under Leach (1999) and Mangino (2000) at Oklahoma. Coached quarterbacks at Oklahoma from 2006-2009 before serving as Co-OC from 2010–present for Oklahoma.
 * Tony Franklin - running backs coach at Kentucky 1997-1999, under Leach in 1998; offensive coordinator at Kentucky in 2000; offensive coordinator at Troy in 2006, Auburn 2007-2008, Middle Tennessee 2009, and Louisiana Tech 2010-2012. Will be OC at California starting in 2013.
 * Chris Hatcher - quarterbacks and receivers coach at Kentucky under Mumme in 1999; head coach at Valdosta State 2000-2006, Georgia Southern 2007-2009, and Murray State 2010-present.
 * Dana Holgorsen - quarterbacks and wide receivers coach under Mumme at Valdosta State 1993-1995; at Texas Tech under Leach as wide receivers coach 2000-2006 and offensive coordinator in 2007; offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Houston under Kevin Sumlin 2008-2009; offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in 2010; head coach at West Virginia 2011–present.
 * Sonny Dykes - wide receivers coach at Kentucky under Mumme in 1999 and Texas Tech under Leach 2000-2006; offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona 2007-2009; head coach at Louisiana Tech 2010-2012; head coach at California starting in 2013.
 * Neal Brown - played wide receiver at Kentucky under Mumme 1998-2000; offensive coordinator at Troy 2008-2009; offensive coordinator at Texas Tech 2010-2012; offensive coordinator at Kentucky starting in 2013.
 * Kevin Sumlin - wide receivers coach at Purdue 1998-2000, offensive coordinator at Texas A&M 2001-2002 and Oklahoma 2006-2007; head coach at Houston 2008-2011 and Texas A&M in 2012.
 * Kliff Kingsbury - quarterback at Texas Tech 1998-2002, under Leach 2000-2002; offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Houston under Sumlin 2010-2011; offensive coordinator at Texas A&M under Sumlin in 2012; head coach at Texas Tech starting in 2013.

The immediate impact of installing the air raid
From 1994-1996 the University of Kentucky went 9-24 while scoring 149, 223, and 138 points. Upon hiring Hal Mumme, they went 18-17 while scoring 348, 431, and 328 points from 1997-1999.

From 1996-1998 the University of Oklahoma scored 255, 232, and 184 points. In 1999 they would score 430 points and finish 13-0 while scoring 481 points in 2000. The 481 points were the most they had scored in a season since 1987 when they were coached by Barry Switzer.

From 1997-1999 Texas Tech University scored 245, 315, and 253 points. From 2000-2002 they would score 330, 402, and 537 points while improving their record to 9-5 by 2002. From 2002-2009 they never won fewer than 8 games under Mike Leach.

From 2000-2002 the University of Houston scored 211, 190, and 320 points. In 2003, under Art Briles, they scored 448 points. That was the most since 1990 when they were coached by John Jenkins. Art would have 2 more seasons in which his teams would score over 440 points in a season. Kevin Sumlin would then take that up a notch with his teams scoring 528, 591, 452, and 660 points from 2008-2011.

From 2009-2011 the University of Texas A&M scored 427, 382, and 475 points. Kevin Sumlin took over and led the 2012 Aggies to an 11-2 record while scoring 578 points and garnering a Heisman Trophy for QB Johnny Manziel.

Teams that ran and run the air raid

 * 1992 Valdosta State University: QB Chris Hatcher 264/400 for 2,548 yards.  RB Dominique Ross 153 for 734 yards.
 * 1993 Valdosta State University: QB Chris Hatcher 335/471 for 3,651 yards.  RB Dominique Ross 167 for 1,030 yards.  WR Calvin Walker 82 for 944 yards
 * 1994 Valdosta State University: QB Chris Hatcher 367/508 for 4,076 yards.  RB Dominique Ross 256 for 1,473 yards.  WR Robert Williams 86 for 1,187 yards.
 * 1995 Valdosta State University: QB Lance Funderburk 356/544 for 3,706 yards.  RB David Glisson 147 for 837 yards.
 * 1996 Valdosta State University: QB Lance Funderburk 342/532 for 4,226 yards.  RB Vontrell Mitchell 186 for 1,355 yards.  WR Rodney Brown 61 for 1,148 yards.
 * 1997 University of Kentucky: QB Tim Couch 363/547 for 3,884 yards with 37 TD vs 19 INT.  RB Anthony White 129 for 723 yards with 4 TD.
 * 1998 University of Kentucky: QB Tim Couch 400/553 for 4,275 yards with 36 TD vs 15 INT.  RB Derek Homer 137 for 716 yards with 7 TD.  WR Craig Yeast 85 for 1,311 yards with 14 TD.
 * 1999 University of Kentucky: QB Dusty Bonner 303/465 for 3,266 yards with 26 TD vs 13 INT.  WR James Whalen 90 for 1,019 yards with 10 TD.
 * 1999 University of Oklahoma: QB Josh Heupel 310/500 for 3,460 yards with 30 TD vs 15 INT.
 * 1999 Valdosta State University:
 * 2000 University of Kentucky: QB Jared Lorenzen 321/559 for 3,687 yards with 19 TD vs 21 INT.
 * 2000 University of Oklahoma: QB Josh Heupel 305/472 for 3,606 yards with 20 TD vs 15 INT.  RB Quentin Griffin 189 for 783 yards with 16 TD.
 * 2000 University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
 * 2000 Texas Tech University: QB Kliff Kingsbury 361/584 for 3,412 yards with 21 TD vs 17 INT.
 * 2000 Valdosta State University: QB Dusty Bonner 351/488 for 4,126 yards with 55 TD
 * 2001 Texas Tech University: QB Kliff Kingsbury 364/528 for 3,502 yards with 25 TD vs 9 INT.  RB Ricky Williams 142 for 726 yards with 14 TD.
 * 2001 Valdosta State University: QB Dusty Bonner 298/425 for 4,037 yards with 52 TD
 * 2002 Texas Tech University: QB Kliff Kingsbury 479/712 for 5,017 yards with 45 TD vs 13 INT.  RB Taurean Henderson 153 for 793 yards with 7 TD.  WR Wes Welker 86 for 1,054 yards with 7 TD.
 * 2003 Southeastern Louisiana University: QB Martin Hankins 353/592 for 3,537 yards with 30 TD vs 19 INT.  RB Ray Perkins 155 for 706 yards with 6 TD.
 * 2003 Texas State University
 * 2003 Texas Tech University: QB B.J. Symons 470/719 for 5,833 yards with 52 TD vs 22 INT.  RB Taurean Henderson 124 for 736 yards with 10 TD.  WR Wes Welker 97 for 1,099 yards with 9 TD.
 * 2004 Southeastern Louisiana University: QB Martin Hankins 357/540 for 4,240 yards with 35 TD vs 12 INT.  RB Ray Perkins 179 for 1,148 yards with 9 TD.  WR Felton Huggins 84 for 1,313 yards with 13 TD.
 * 2004 Texas Tech University: QB Sonny Cumbie 421/642 for 4,742 yards with 32 TD vs 18 INT.  RB Taurean Henderson 162 for 840 yards with 16 TD.  WR Jarrett Hicks 76 for 1,177 yards with 13 TD.  WR Trey Haverty 77 for 1,019 yards with 6 TD.
 * 2005 New Mexico State University: RB Justine Buries 187 for 779 yards with 5 TD.
 * 2005 Texas Tech University: QB Cody Hodges 353/531 for 4,238 yards with 31 TD vs 12 INT.  RB Taurean Henderson 148 for 872 yards with 17 TD.  WR Joel Filani 65 for 1,048 yards with 8 TD.
 * 2006 Baylor University: QB Shawn Bell 241/383 for 2,582 yards with 19 TD vs 10 INT.
 * 2006 New Mexico State University: QB Chase Holbrook 396/566 for 4,619 yards with 34 TD vs 9 INT.  WR Chris Williams 92 for 1,425 yards with 12 TD.
 * 2006 Texas Tech University: QB Graham Harrell 412/617 for 4,555 yards with 38 TD vs 11 INT.  RB Shannon Woods 152 for 926 yards with 10 TD.  WR Joel Filani 91 for 1,300 yards with 13 TD.
 * 2007 University of Arizona: QB Willie Tuitama 327/524 for 3,683 yards with 28 TD vs 12 INT.  RB Nic Grigsby 161 for 704 yards with 2 TD.  WR Michael Thomas 83 for 1,038 yards with 11 TD.
 * 2007 Baylor University: QB Blake Szymanski 264/461 for 2,844 yards with 22 TD vs 18 INT.
 * 2007 New Mexico State University: QB Chase Holbrook 381/543 for 3,866 yards with 26 TD vs 18 INT.
 * 2007 Texas Tech University: QB Graham Harrell 512/713 for 5,705 yards with 48 TD vs 14 INT.  WR Michael Crabtree 134 for 1,962 yards with 22 TD.  WR Danny Amendola 109 for 1,245 yards with 6 TD.
 * 2008 University of Houston: QB Case Keenum 397/589 for 5,020 yards with 44 TD vs 11 INT.  RB Bryce Beall 198 for 1,247 yards with 13 TD.  WR Tyron Carrier 80 for 1,026 yards with 9 TD.
 * 2008 New Mexico State University: QB Chase Holbrook 309/457 for 3,361 yards with 25 TD vs 14 INT.  WR Chris Williams 86 for 1,271 yards with 9 TD.
 * 2008 Stephen F. Austin University: QB Jeremy Moses 352/598 for 4,026 yards with 41 TD vs 20 INT.  WR Dominique Edison 67 for 1,016 yards with 8 TD.
 * 2008 Texas Tech University: QB Graham Harrell 442/646 for 5,111 yards with 45 TD vs 9 INT.  RB Baron Batch 113 for 758 yards with 7 TD.  RB Shannon Woods 141 for 716 yards with 12 TD.  WR Michael Crabtree 97 for 1,165 yards with 19 TD.
 * 2009 University of Arizona: QB Nick Foles 260/409 for 2,486 yards with 19 TD vs 9 INT.  RB Keola Antolin 114 for 637 yards and 4 TD.
 * 2009 University of Houston: QB Case Keenum 492/700 for 5,671 yards with 44 TD vs 15 INT. WR James Cleveland 104 for 1,214 yards with 14 TD.  WR Tyron Carrier 91 for 1,029 yards with 7 TD.  WR Patrick Edwards 85 for 1,021 yards with 9 TD.
 * 2009 McMurry University: QB Jake Mullin 256/393 for 2.749 yards with 25 TD vs 9 INT.  WR Marcus Franklin 61 for 907 yards with 8 TD.
 * 2009 Stephen F. Austin University: QB Jeremy Moses 385/566 for 4,124 yards with 40 TD vs 21 INT.  RB Vincent Pervis 153 for 919 yards with 2 TD.  WR Duane Brooks 118 for 1,076 yards with 6 TD.
 * 2009 Texas Tech University: QB Taylor Potts 309/470 for 3,440 yards with 22 TD vs 13 INT.  RB Baron Batch 168 for 884 yards with 14 TD.
 * 2010 University of Arizona: QB Nick Foles 286/426 for 3,191 yards with 20 TD vs 10 INT.  WR Juron Criner 82 for 1,233 yards and 11 TD.
 * 2010 East Carolina University: QB Dominique Davis 393/609 for 3,967 yards with 37 TD vs 16 INT.  RB Jonathan Williams 154 for 811 yards with 10 TD.  WR Dwayne Harris 101 for 1,123 yards with 10 TD.  WR Lance Lewis 89 for 1,126 yards with 14 TD.
 * 2010 University of Houston: QB David Piland 201/345 for 2,641 yards with 24 TD vs 14 INT.  RB Bryce Beall 163 for 850 yards with 12 TD.  WR Patrick Edwards 71 for 1,103 yards with 13 TD.
 * 2010 Jackson State University: QB Casey Therriault 255/437 for 3,436 yards with 31 TD vs 8 INT.
 * 2010 McMurry University: QB Jake Mullin 202/330 for 2,859 yards with 35 TD vs 2 INT.  WR R.J. Long 60 for 1,131 yards with 15 TD.
 * 2010 University of Oklahoma: QB Landry Jones 405/617 for 4,718 yards with 38 TD vs 12 INT.  RB DeMarco Murray 282 for 1,175 yards with 15 TD.  WR Ryan Broyles 131 for 1,622 yards with 14 TD.
 * 2010 Oklahoma State University: QB Brandon Weeden 342/511 for 4,277 yards with 34 TD vs 13 INT.  RB Kendall Hunter 271 for 1,502 yards with 16 TD.  WR Justin Blackmon 111 for 1,782 yards with 20 TD.
 * 2010 Stephen F. Austin University: QB Jeremy Moses 336/550 for 3,998 yards with 34 TD vs 7 INT.  WR Cordell Robinson 61 for 1,011 yards with 16 TD.
 * 2010 Texas Tech University: QB Taylor Potts 369/551 for 3,726 yards with 35 TD vs 10 INT.  RB Baron Batch 177 for 802 yards with 5 TD.  WR Lyle Leong 74 for 926 yards with 19 TD.
 * 2010 West Texas A&M University: QB Taylor Harris 370/595 for 4,806 yards with 38 TD vs 18 INT.  RB Kelvin Thompson 116 for 729 yards with 7 TD.  WR Tyson Williams 96 for 1,321 yards with 8 TD.  WR Stephen Burton 70 for 1,021 yards with 11 TD.
 * 2011 University of Arizona: QB Nick Foles 387/560 for 4,334 yards with 28 TD vs 14 INT. WR Juron Criner 75 for 956 yards with 11 TD.
 * 2011 Baylor: QB Robert Griffin III 291/402 for 4,293 yards with 37 TD vs 6 INT. RB Terrance Ganaway 250 for 1,457 yards with 21 TD.  WR Kendall Wright 108 for 1,663 yards with 14 TD.  WR Terrance Williams 59 for 957 yards with 11 TD.
 * 2011 East Carolina University: QB Dominique Davis 334/494 for 3,225 yards with 25 TD vs 19 INT.
 * 2011 University of Houston: QB Case Keenum 428/603 for 5,631 yards with 48 TD vs 5 INT.  RB Charles Sims 110 for 821 yards with 9 TD.  RB Michael Hayes 138 for 727 yards with 11 TD.  WR Patrick Edwards 89 for 1,752 yards with 20 TD.  WR Justin Johnson 87 for 1,229 yards with 12 TD.
 * 2011 Jackson State University: QB Casey Therriault 271/452 for 3,791 yards with 27 TD vs 15 INT.
 * 2011 Louisiana Tech University: QBs Colby Cameron and Nick Isham 273/472 for 3,124 yards with 21 TD vs 10 INT.  RB Lennon Creer 198 for 838 yards with 9 TD.  WR Quinton Patton 79 for 1,202 yards with 11 TD.
 * 2011 McMurry University: QB Jake Mullin 292/457 for 3,371 yards with 29 TD vs 15 INT.  RB Justin Johnson 162 for 771 yards with 8 TD.
 * 2011 University of Oklahoma: QB Landry Jones 355/562 for 4,463 yards with 29 TD vs 15 INT.  WR Ryan Broyles 83 for 1,157 yards and 10 TD.
 * 2011 Oklahoma State: QB Brandon Weeden 408/564 for 4,727 yards with 37 TD vs 13 INT. RB Joseph Randle 208 for 1,216 yards with 24 TD.  WR Justin Blackmon 121 for 1,522 yards with 18 TD.
 * 2011 Stephen F. Austin University
 * 2011 Texas Tech University: QB Seth Doege 398/581 for 4,004 yards with 28 TD vs 10 INT.
 * 2011 West Virginia University: QB Geno Smith 346/526 for 4,385 yards with 31 TD vs 7 INT.  RB Dustin Garrison 136 for 742 yards with 6 TD.  WR Stedman Bailey 72 for 1,279 yards with 12 TD.  WR Tavon Austin 101 for 1,186 yards with 8 TD.
 * 2012 University of Houston: QBs David Piland and Crawford Jones 332/579 for 3,901 yards with 27 TD vs 18 INT.  RB Charles Sims 142 for 851 and 11 TD.
 * 2012 Louisiana Tech University: QB Colby Cameron 359/522 for 4,147 yards with 31 TD vs 5 INT.  RB Kenneth Dixon 200 for 1,194 and 10 TD.  WR Quinton Patton 104 for 1,392 and 13 TD.
 * 2012 McMurry University: QB Jake Mullin 370/534 for 3,478 yards with 25 TD vs 11 INT.  WR Greg Livingston 97 for 1,060 and 7 TD.
 * 2012 University of Oklahoma: QB Landry Jones 367/555 for 4,267 yards with 30 TD vs 11 INT.  RB Damien Williams 176 for 946 yards and 11 TD.
 * 2012 Texas A&M University: QB Johnny Manziel 295/434 for 3,706 yards with 26 TD vs 9 INT.  RB Ben Malena 138 for 808 and 8 TD.  WR Mike Evans 82 for 1,105 and 5 TD.
 * 2012 Texas Tech University: QB Seth Doege 380/541 for 4,205 yards with 39 TD vs 16 INT.  RB Kenny Williams 143 for 824 and 5 TD.  WR Eric Ward 82 for 1,053 and 12 TD.  WR Darrin Moore 92 for 1,032 and 13 TD.
 * 2012 Washington State University: QBs Jeff Tuel and Connor Halliday 363/623 for 3,965 yards with 23 TD vs 21 INT.
 * 2012 West Virginia University: QB Geno Smith 369/518 for 4,205 yards with 42 TD vs 6 INT.  RB Andrew Buie 179 for 851 and 7 TD.  WR Stedman Bailey 114 for 1,622 and 25 TD.  WR Tavon Austin 114 for 1,289 and 12 TD.
 * 2013 California
 * 2013 University of James Madison
 * 2013 University of Kentucky
 * 2013 McMurry University
 * 2013 University of Oklahoma
 * 2013 Texas Tech University
 * 2013 Washington State University
 * 2013 West Virginia University

Single game statistics

 * 2000 Texas Tech vs Utah State: QB Kliff Kingsbury 33/47 for 450 yards with 3 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2000 Texas Tech @ Kansas: QB Kliff Kingsbury 32/48 for 405 yards with 4 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2001 Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State: QB Kliff Kingsbury 44/56 for 440 yards with 4 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2001 Texas Tech vs Stephen F. Austin: QB Kliff Kingsbury 39/47 for 366 yards with 5 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2002 Texas Tech @ New Mexico: QB Kliff Kingsbury 41/59 for 407 yards with 6 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2002 Texas Tech @ Texas A&M: QB Kliff Kingsbury 49/59 for 474 yards with 5 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2002 Texas Tech vs Missouri: QB Kliff Kingsbury 49/70 for 510 yards with 5 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2002 Texas Tech vs Oklahoma State: QB Kliff Kingsbury 38/49 for 425 yards with 4 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2002 Texas Tech vs Texas: QB Kliff Kingsbury 38/60 for 473 yards with 6 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2003 Texas Tech vs New Mexico: QB B.J. Symons 37/54 for 418 yards with 5 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2003 Texas Tech @ Mississippi: QB B.J. Symons 44/64 for 661 yards with 6 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2003 Texas Tech vs Texas A&M: QB B.J. Symons 34/46 for 505 yards with 8 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2003 Texas Tech @ Baylor: QB B.J. Symons 32/47 for 428 yards with 7 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2003 Texas Tech N Navy: QB B.J. Symons 41/53 for 497 yards with 4 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2004 Texas Tech @ SMU: QB Sonny Cumbie 40/66 for 470 yards with 4 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2004 Texas Tech vs TCU: QB Sonny Cumbie 30/50 for 441 yards with 4 TD vs 2 INT.
 * 2004 Texas Tech vs Nebraska: QB Sonny Cumbie 44/56 for 436 yards with 5 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2004 Texas Tech vs Baylor: QB Sonny Cumbie 37/48 for 397 yards with 5 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2004 Texas Tech N California: QB Sonny Cumbie 39/60 for 520 yards with 3 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2005 Texas Tech vs FIU: QB Cody Hodges 29/37 for 454 yards with 4 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2005 Texas Tech vs Sam Houston State: QB Cody Hodges 26/37 for 436 yards with 5 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2005 Texas Tech @ Nebraska: QB Cody Hodges 34/45 for 368 yards with 4 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2005 Texas Tech vs Kansas State: QB Cody Hodges 44/65 for 643 yards with 5 TD vs 2 INT.
 * 2006 Texas Tech @ Texas A&M: QB Graham Harrell 32/45 for 392 yards with 4 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2006 Texas Tech @ Iowa State: QB Graham Harrell 31/40 for 368 yards with 6 TD vs 0 INT.
 * 2006 Texas Tech vs Baylor: QB Graham Harrell 35/52 for 483 yards with 4 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2006 Texas Tech N Minnesota: QB Graham Harrell 36/55 for 442 yards with 2 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2007 Texas Tech vs UTEP: QB Graham Harrell 48/64 for 484 yards with 4 TD vs 1 INT.
 * 2007 Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State: QB Graham Harrell 46/67 for 646 yards with 5 TD vs 0 INT.

Players drafted from the air raid in the NFL

 * WR Kio Sanford (1998 - Round 7 out of Kentucky)
 * QB Tim Couch (1999 - Round 1 out of Kentucky)
 * WR Craig Yeast (1999 - Round 4 out of Kentucky)
 * TE James Whalen (2000 - Round 5 out of Kentucky)
 * QB Josh Heupel (2001 - Round 6 out of Oklahoma)
 * WR Quentin McCord (2001 - Round 7 out of Kentucky)
 * QB Kliff Kingsbury (2003 - Round 6 out of Texas Tech)
 * QB B.J. Symons (2004 - Round 7 out of Texas Tech)
 * WR Carlos Francis (2004 - Round 4 out of Texas Tech
 * OT Daniel Loper (2005 - Round 5 out of Texas Tech)
 * OG Dylan Gandy (2005 - Round 4 out of Texas Tech)
 * C E.J. Whitley (2006 - Round 7 out of Texas Tech)
 * WR Joel Filani (2007 - Round 6 out of Texas Tech)
 * OG Manuel Ramirez (2007 - Round 4 out of Texas Tech)
 * WR Michael Crabtree (2009 - Round 1 out of Texas Tech)
 * OG Louis Vasquez (2009 - Round 3 out of Texas Tech)

Other links

 * Highlights of the air raid offense from Texas Tech's 2007 season
 * Highlights of the Mesh Route performed by Texas Tech and New Mexico State
 * The Shallow Cross Route as performed by [[Brigham Young] in a game]