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The number 300 means different things to different people. For some, it’s a very good batting average in baseball, For others, it’s a perfect game in bowling.
And for movie buffs, it’s the title of a Gerard Butler flick that made a ton of money at the box office in 2007. But forgive us for digressing, it must be the summer heat.
In college football, even with offensive production reaching record levels, a 300-yard passing game is still a pretty good accomplishment. But, believe it or not, three SEC schools did not have a 300-yard passer last season; and, believe it or not, Vanderbilt is not on that list.
Here’s a look at the last time each team in the SEC produced a 300-yard passer:
Alabama
Season: 2015
Player: Jacob Coker
Game: vs. Clemson
Coker completed 16-of-25 passes for 335 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions in Alabama’s 45-40 victory over the Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Arkansas
Season: 2015
Player: Brandon Allen
Game: vs. Kansas State
Allen capped his Razorbacks career with an outstanding outing in the Hogs’ 45-23 win over the Wildcats in last season’s Liberty Bowl. The Fayetteville native was 20-of-26 for 315 yards, a score and a pick.
Auburn
Season: 2014
Player: Nick Marshall
Game: vs. Alabama
Marshall saved the best night of his career for the Iron Bowl. Completing 27-of-43 passes, Marshall threw for 456 yards, 3 TDs and an INT as the Tigers lost 55-44.
Florida
Season: 2013
Player: Tyler Murphy
Game: vs. Vanderbilt
Murphy’s last game with the Gators was the best passing performance of his college career. Murphy, who was Boston College’s starting QB in 2014, burned the Commodores for 30 completions in 46 attempts while throwing for 305 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions in Vandy’s 34-17 victory.
Georgia
Season: 2015
Player: Greyson Lambert
Game: vs. South Carolina
Lambert had the game of his life against the Gamecocks in the Bulldogs’ 52-20 victory, and it wasn’t simply because of his career-high 330 passing yards. The Virginia transfer set the NCAA record for completion percentage in a single game by going 24 for 25 (96%) while throwing 3 TDs.
Kentucky
Season: 2015
Player: Patrick Towles
Game: vs. Auburn
Towles, who’s taking snaps for Boston College these days, threw for 359 yards, no TDs and an INT in the Wildcats’ 30-27 home loss to the Tigers.
LSU
Season: 2015
Player: Brandon Harris
Game: vs. Ole Miss
Harris has had one 300-yard passing day in his career, and it came in a 38-17 loss to the Rebels in Oxford last season. Completing only 26 of his 51 passes, Harris threw for 324 yards, a score and 2 INTs.
Mississippi State
Season: 2015
Player: Dak Prescott
Game: vs. North Carolina State
Prescott capped his brilliant career with the Bulldogs with a 51-28 victory over North Carolina State in last season’s Belk Bowl. Currently with the Dallas Cowboys, Prescott completed 25 of his 42 throws against the Wolfpack for 380 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Missouri
Season: 2014
Player: Maty Mauk
Game: vs. Indiana
Mauk’s most prolific game as the Tigers’ QB — in terms of passing yardage — came in Mizzou’s 31-27 home loss to the Hoosiers. Mauk, who has transferred to Eastern Kentucky, went 29-of-48 against IU for 331 yards, 2 TDs and a pick.
Ole Miss
Season: 2015
Player: Chad Kelly
Game: vs. Oklahoma State
Kelly broke or tied 14 single-season school records in his first year with the Rebels. One of those marks was his eight 300-yard passing games, including his season-ending performance in Mississippi’s 48-20 victory over the Cowboys in the Sugar Bowl: 21 completions in 33 attempts for 302 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT.
South Carolina
Season: 2015
Player: Perry Orth
Game: vs. The Citadel
Orth played the best game of his career in a 23-22 home loss to The Citadel last season. The product of Ponte Vedra, Fla. completed 28-of-43 passes for 367 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
Tennessee
Season: 2015
Player: Joshua Dobbs
Game: vs. Georgia
Dobbs played arguably his best game of the season in Tennessee’s biggest win of 2015 — its 38-31 comeback victory over Georgia. Dobbs went 25-for-42 for 312 yards, 3 TDs and an INT to help rally the Volunteers from a 24-3 deficit.
Texas A&M
Season: 2015
Player: Jake Hubenak
Game: vs. Louisville
With 2015 starters Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray deciding to transfer before the end of the season, the Aggies turned to backup Jake Hubenak for their Music City Bowl matchup against the Cardinals. Hubenak proceeded to complete 28 of his 48 passes for 307 yards, two scores and a pick as A&M fell short, 27-21.
Vanderbilt
Season: 2015
Player: Johnny McCrary
Game: vs. Austin Peay
McCrary delivered the best game of his career against an FCS school before eventually losing his starting job to Kyle Shurmur. Against Austin Peay, McCrary — who coincidentally has transferred to another FCS school in Mercer — finished 28-of-33 for 368 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
