Texas Tech traveled to Waco, TX to face off with #5 Baylor in their second straight road conference game. Tech, fresh off a skull dragging loss to Cincinnati, knew the challenges that faced them but unfortunately were not up to the task and came out of the game licking their wounds in a conference loss that will likely lock them out of contention for competing for the Big 12 title.
This game got off to the worst start imaginable as the Red Raiders gave up a big 75-yard touchdown on the very first play from scrimmage. The next possession, QB Behren Morton threw 1 of his 3 total interceptions on the day. Baylor turned right around with a big rushing touchdown and the Red Raiders were facing a 14-0 deficit with less than one minute of game clock gone.
Coach AUChase elected to not panic and continue leaning on the ground attack. Baylor was up to the challenge and despite surrendering 114 yards on the ground, they limited Tahj Brooks for most of the game and the biggest run surrendered was a 24 yard rush. Tahj Brooks has been explosive all year and the Red Raiders have relied on big plays from him to put the team in position to score.
Despite the mistakes, Tech was still in position to get the game down to a one possession game but offensively could not capitalize when it mattered. This game could have been uglier but Baylor elected to take their foot off the gas in scoring position late in the game.
The common denominator in the games where Baylor has struggled this season has been turnovers and mistakes committed by the offense. The defense has played much better and more consistently in conference play but has not been able to overcome the self-inflicted wounds.
Coach AUChase told us “I think we had some guys possibly (literally) hungover and had not get their morning coffee. We were sleep walking early in the game and got caught napping. I’m proud of our response and resilience but we had chances to get back in this game. The last turnover I’m not faulting Behren too much for. He let it hang too long but we were in a bad spot and had to get some yards. The second one in the red zone I almost ripped the playcall sheet on. We are under budget and don’t have the means to print a second sheet so I had to control myself there. We won’t get to our win goal but we still have to play for ourselves and to potentially play spoiler to some of these really good teams remaining on our schedule.”
In what has become a weekly tradition for the Bears of Baylor University, they were able to square off against their newest foe early on the first day of the block opening. This week, with just one game in the block, Coach Vegas and his Bears, were looking forward to getting it done it quick and painless. Well mostly painless, as the Red Raiders fought gallantly in the 2nd half, but just couldn't get it to one possession.
The Bears continued their bad luck of losing the opening toss for the 6th time in 7 games. Thankfully for them, Monaray Baldwin was revving to go, as Daquan Finn, hit Baldwin for a 75 yard TD on the opening play of the game. After forcing a quick turnover, it was Richard Reese who took the first play of this drive to the house and the Bears led the Red Raiders 14-0 in the blink of an eye.
TT drove the field on their 2nd drive, but again turned it over deep inside the Red Zone with their second thrown interception of the day in as many drives. QB Finn drove the length of the field and finished it off with a rare 23 yard scramble to make it 21-0 early int he 2nd quarter. Again TT was able to go down the field, but again stalled in the Red Zone, this time being forced to kick a FG down 21-0 on 4th and 4 at the Bears 12 yard line to make it 21-3.
Finn went ahead and hit Baldwin for another deep bomb, this time from 47 yards with perfect touch overt the shoulder to put the Bears up 28-3. TT was able to answer to make it 28-10 just before the break and get the ball back to start the 2nd half. Unfortunately for the Texas Tech fans int he stands and at home, the Red Raiders were stopped on a 4th and 2 on that opening drive to give the ball back to Baylor, who went on to score to make it 35-10, and next looked back. The Bears went on to win 35-17 to remain undefeated going into block 5 and their lone RIVALRY game vs TCU.
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
WHOS ONLINE:
17 Guests in the last 5 minutes Legend: NDL Admin | Conference Commish | Media Team | NDL Coaches
NDL Hall of Fame:
664 Coaches Newest Member: OracleHCR
HOME
Discord