BAYLOR BEARS (6-4, 4-3 Big 12)
This Week: Lost, 31-3 vs. No. 19 Kansas State
Next Week: vs. No. 4 TCU
Baylor welcomed No. 19 Kansas State into Waco in front of a sellout crowd at McLane Stadium, hoping to improve to 5-2 in the Big 12 and keep their conference title hopes alive. Despite Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez exiting due to injury early in the first quarter, the Wildcats took complete control of the game for much of the first half. Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and just three incompletions over the first two quarters while running back Deuce Vaughn picked up 75 yards on the ground en route to a 17-0 K-State lead. Baylor eventually responded with a field goal before the break but faced a two-touchdown deficit heading into the second half. Baylor was outgained 256-123 at the break, needing a major offensive turnaround to avoid a deflating home loss. As Baylor’s offense continued to sputter as the third quarter went on, the clock felt like it was already becoming a factor late in the third quarter with the Wildcats driving. K-State extended their lead with 1:53 to play in the third, as Will Howard’s third touchdown pass found Ben Sinnott from 19 yards out to make it 24-3. Kansas State’s dominance continued with another touchdown drive as the game moved into the fourth, capped off by D.J. Giddens’ one-yard run. Down 31-3, Blake Shapen’s second interception of the night with five minutes to play all but put the Bears out of their misery Saturday night. The blowout loss severely hampers any hopes Baylor had of making it to the Big 12 Championship Game, a very disappointing result in front of a sellout crowd who hoped for a lot better.
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (5-5, 3-4 Big 12)
This Week: Won, 43-28 vs Kansas
Next Week: at Iowa State
The Texas Tech Red Raiders turned to Tyler Shough at quarterback for Saturday night’s matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks, his first start under center since his injury Week 1 against Murray State. Shough got the Red Raider offense off to a hot start, completing four passes on a successful opening drive that eventually led to reserve QB Donovan Smith’s designed run for a touchdown. The Jayhawks responded quickly, scoring after just four plays on Jared Casey’s 66-yard touchdown reception from Jason Bean. Texas Tech would score on each of their next two drives, once on a field goal and once on a 36-yard scamper by SaRodorick Thompson, to extend their lead to 17-7 before the end of the first quarter. Tech continued their offensive onslaught in the second quarter, capping off a 12-play drive with Tyler Shough’s first touchdown pass of the night, a short throw to sophomore Mason Tharp for a 24-7 lead. Kansas roared back into the game from there, as Jason Bean ran for one touchdown and threw for another to make it 24-21. Texas Tech took over with just seconds to play before halftime but managed to kick a field goal at the buzzer to lead 27-21 heading into the intermission. Both defenses stiffened significantly in the third quarter, but the Red Raiders eventually broke through on the first play of the fourth quarter, making it 33-21 on Tyler Shough’s nine-yard touchdown run. The shootout continued when Kansas found paydirt midway through the fourth quarter, making it 33-28 on Jason Bean’s third touchdown pass of the night. Texas Tech extended their lead with a field goal on the next drive, leaving the Jayhawks four minutes to attempt to come back from an eight-point deficit. Texas Tech would immediately force a fumble, setting up a short field that the Red Raiders quickly used to pull away 43-28 on Tahj Brooks’ touchdown run with 3:33 to play. Tech’s defense would stop the Jayhawks’ final gasp drive, preserving a win that moves the Red Raiders within one win of bowl eligibility.
BEST OF THE REST AROUND TEXAS
(All games played Saturday unless specified otherwise)
FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION
SMU 41, South Florida 23
Western Kentucky 45, Rice 10
UTSA 51, Louisiana Tech 7
UAB 41, North Texas 21
South Alabama 38, Texas State 21
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION
Abilene Christian 45, Sam Houston 28
New Mexico State 51, Lamar 14
McNeese 21, Houston Christian 10
Utah Tech 34, Tarleton State 28
Nicholls 12, Texas A&M Commerce 10
Central Arkansas 34, Stephen F. Austin 7