Dec 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA;Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive lineman Monroe Mills (71) celebrates Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough (12) touchdown in the first half in the 2022 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Texas Tech honors late Mike Leach on opening offensive play in bowl game

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/29/22

On their first offensive play from scrimmage during Wednesday's TaxAct Texas Bowl game against Ole Miss, the Texas Tech offense honored the late, legendary Mike Leach.

The longtime Red Raiders head coach was at the helm of the program from 2000 to 2009 and passed away two weeks ago. Under Leach's leadership, Texas Tech led the NCAA in passing yards for four straight seasons and used the famous "air raid" offense, which the team brought back on Wednesday night.

To start its bowl game, Texas Tech lined up in the Air Raid formation to honor its former coach Mike Leach.

Leach’s Egg Bowl rival Ole Miss declined the penalty for delay of game.

Class all around in tribute to the Pirate ‍☠️ pic.twitter.com/0YTcPqq6EN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2022

As noted in the ESPN graphic, the offensive prowess has continued, even in Leach's absence, as the program leads the FBS in passing yards (104,665) and passing touchdowns (817) since 2000. They've also had 130 games with at least 500 yards of offense since the turn of the millennium, which is also the most in the country.

As much as Leach was known for his legacy on the field, he will be remembered arguably more for his quirky personality off of it. Multiple schools have already shown their own way of remembering Leach, including Miami of Ohio with a pirate helmet sticker and his most recent team -- Mississippi State -- during their upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl contest against Illinois.

Leach's old team at Texas Tech defeated Ole Miss 42-25 on Wednesday.

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