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BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Back in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield sat in a studio near Texas Tech's campus and played video games.
It was 2013.
Three years later, they appeared to the same thing on the field.
"It was a basketball score," Mayfield recalled.
"That game was crazy," Mahomes said, remembering when he and Mayfield re-wrote the NCAA record book.
The quarterbacks and friends will be renewing their old rivalry – and perhaps a new boss – Sunday when Mahomes leads Kansas City and the Chiefs' high-flying, high-octane offense, in Cleveland to play Mayfield and the Browns, who are Hue Jackson and coordinator Todd Haley.
The previous time they put between the hash marks, Mahomes and Mayfield.
They combined for 12 touchdown passes, 1,279 yards passing and broke the total yardage mark with 1,708 yards – 854 for each school.
Looking back, Mayfield, who threw seven TD passes to Mahomes and the winners to a 66-59 win, still can not fathom what happened.
"That was my 'welcome back to Lubbock' moment," said Mayfield, who was at Texas Tech before transferring.
"Weird things happen in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday nights. It's pretty funny, Oklahoma goes back to Lubbock this weekend and then I'm playing Pat on Sunday. "
Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who has replaced Jackson as Cleveland's interim coach, shook his head in disbelief when given details of the Mahomes-Mayfield shootout.
"Oh, my gosh," he said. "Setting defenses back a thousand years."
Mayfield hosted Mahomes on his recruiting trip to Texas Tech would blossom into a friendship and maybe the NFL 's next great QB duel.
Mayfield was aware of Mahomes' background and talent – a major league baseball player, bazooka-like arm – but then What Mayfield was quickly learned, like, Mahomes is a natural leader.
"Patrick has always been an easygoing guy," Mayfield said. "That's what those teammates are doing. He gets their respect not just based on talent – it's easy to respect – it's a person. He just has that presence that you want to be around. You gravitate towards that is so much to see him grow. "
And my, has Mahomes grown.
The 22-year-old leads the league with 26 TD assists and 2,526 yards. He threw six TD passes in Week 2 against Pittsburgh, and Mahomes has made many jaw-dropping, highlight-reel worthy plays this season as many QBs have in a career.
Mahomes' strength has rave reviews. Ask any coach, player, scout or reporter who has seen him or her, and there 's usually a tale about one of their throws.
Mayfield said he's "absolutely" jealous of Mahomes' rocket right arm.
"There was a play in that college game, he was rolling to his left, flicked it and it was about 65 in the air for a touchdown back of the end zone," Mayfield said, remembering the OR-Texas Tech classic in '16 . "He does not know that you can not even think of being possible."
Mayfield was surprised Mahomes was not picked up in 2017 with the No. 1 pick, which ended up being Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
"Talent-wise, I thought he should have been. I love Myles but, "Mayfield said with a smile.
"Coming from the Texas Tech system, there are always some doubts about the fact that it's been there. He threw it 88 times in our game, but when it comes down to it, throwing the ball is throwing the ball, and he is really good at it. "
So is Mayfield.
While Mahomes only started one game in a rookie last season, Mayfield was thrust into the lineup in Week 3 when Tyrod Taylor was hurt.
Mayfield does not have nearly the same effect as Mahomes, but he's a respectable number and feels he's learning with every snap.
"His talent is through the roof," said Mahomes of Mayfield. "He is going to keep getting better every single week. He has already had a lot of success. The sky is the limit for him. "
On Sunday, they 'll go for it again – pass for pass, play for play – in what appears to be a mismatch with the rolling Chiefs and the Browns reeling.
But beyond the score, the NFL could get its first glimpse at a budding QB rivalry. It's not Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, but that one started somewhere too.
"I would absolutely not say that it's going to be Brady-Manning right now, but it's humbling to be in that conversation," Mayfield said.
"If he keeps playing that way, there is no reason why it would not be on his side of things. Now, I just have to pick up my side and play better. "
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