Baylor Wins In Lubbock For the First Time Since 1990
Baylor outclassed and outcoached Texas Tech in Lubbock tonight in what was supposed to be an electric atmosphere. The blackout fell flat as Baylor came out as the more aggressive team in the first half and controlled the game throughout for the 45-17 victory in Lubbock. The Bears' first win at Jones AT&T Stadium since 1990.
The Bears 28 point victory was closer than it might have appeared, but there's no doubt who should have won the contest. Baylor dominated the trenches with the offensive and defensive lines in Green and Gold dominating the lines clad in Black.
The Baylor passing attack never really got going, but it didn't need to with freshman running back Richard Reese carrying the load with 36 carries for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Blake Shapen threw for 211 yards with a beautiful touchdown in the corner of the endzone in the third quarter, but this game was written with 231 total rushing yards and five interceptions by the Baylor defense.
The scoring opened with a Baylor field goal with the teams trading drives before Texas Tech finally evened it up at 3-3. With less than four minutes to go in the first half, Reese scored his first touchdown to make it 10-3. Texas Tech would punt it back with less than 2:00 to play in the half and a Shapen pass completion followed by a pass interference in the end zone would give Richard Reese a two-yard opportunity for a second touchdown and a 17-3 halftime lead.
Texas Tech's Behren Morton would open the second half with an interception and Blake Shapen would drive the short field to throw his only touchdown pass of the night and stretch the lead to 24-3. Texas Tech looked like they were done for, but Behren Morton still had some fight in the tank. He'd lead a 15-play, 75-yard drive and finish it with the Red Raiders' first touchdown of the game. A one-yard touchdown pass to Henry Teeter.
The defense would follow that drive with a fumble recovery. Behren Morton would start cooking again riding the running backs down the field before a 4th and seven touchdown run from the eight-yard line.
That was the end of the good things from Texas Tech and the 24-17 on the scoreboard would soon disappear.
On Texas Tech's next drive, Donovan Smith would throw an interception.
On Texas Tech's drive after that? Behren Morton threw a touchdown, but before the JJ Sparkman hit the ground the defender ripped the ball away and it was called an interception.
On Texas Tech's drive following those two interceptions, Tyler Shough would enter the game and throw a pick-six on a ball telegraphed to the sideline.
After all that, and a final rushing touchdown inside the final minute, Texas Tech would fall 45-17.
Texas Tech was within 7 in the fourth quarter but it's impossible to win a football game when you give up six sacks and throw five interceptions. Credit to Baylor for dominating the trenches, and giving Texas Tech the blueprint for future success.