LUBBOCK, TX — Baylor needed a touchdown in the final 14 seconds to escape Texas Tech with a 29-28 victory at Jones AT&T Stadium, improving to 4-0 in Big 12 play.
With 2:28 remaining, the Bears appeared in control before a risky gamble nearly cost them the game. Baylor failed to convert a 4th-and-1 from its own 26-yard line, giving the Red Raiders prime field position. Texas Tech capitalized immediately when quarterback Jake Wakefield connected with TJ West on a 26-yard touchdown pass to take a 28-23 lead.
The quick score, however, left too much time for Baylor.
Starting with 2:14 to play, the Bears marched 75 yards on a 14-play drive capped by quarterback Walker White finding Mason Dossett on a 3-yard slant for the go-ahead touchdown with 14 seconds left. Baylor’s two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the door open for Texas Tech to steal the win with a field goal.
That opportunity never materialized.
The Red Raiders failed to move into range, and three straight incompletions brought the game to an end.
Baylor’s offense lacked the explosiveness shown in recent weeks. The Bears carried just a 13-7 lead into halftime and extended it to 16-7 late in the third quarter on a 24-yard field goal by Bruce Cook. Texas Tech answered with a Wakefield touchdown pass to trim the deficit to 16-14.
White later threw his second touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter to stretch Baylor’s lead to 23-14, but the Red Raiders responded with two scoring drives to briefly seize control before Baylor answered with its late heroics.
As it stands…
The win was Baylor’s fourth straight and improved the Bears to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Big 12 play, keeping them atop the conference standings. Texas Tech fell to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play, dropping to ninth in the league.
