The #5/#7 Baylor Bears (10-1, 7-1) ended up taking their foot off the gas too early in the second half as the Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-8, 2-7) got within two points before the Bears pulled out a 48-46 win at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The Bears went into halftime with a 28-17 lead.  Then, in the third quarter, after capitalizing off of a Patrick Mahomes interception and a Red Raider three-and-out, the Bears scored two more touchdowns to extend their lead to 42-17.

Mahomes played the whole game at quarterback for the Red Raiders and he was at his best late in the third quarter and throughout the fourth quarter.

Down 45-20, with 2:18 left in the third quarter, Mahomes engineered three consecutive touchdown drives as the Red Raiders whittled down the Bears lead.

All three scores came on big plays over 30 yards.  The first touchdown was a 48 yard pass to Devin Lauderdale.  The second touchdown was a 40 yard pass to Bradley Marquez and the third touchdown was a 49 yard pass from Mahomes to DeAndre Washington.

Ashley Wirz, 1340TheFan.com
Ashley Wirz, 1340TheFan.com
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After Washington's score, the deficit was cut to 45-40 with 8:13 left in the game.

Kliff Kingsbury kept his offense out on the field for a two-point conversion attempt. On the play, Mahomes looked to Jakeem Grant along the near sideline. However, Grant was interfered with on the play and was unable to come up with the catch (pictured).

On the ensuing drive, Seth Russell, already in at quarterback in relief of Bryce Petty, led the Bears on a 13 play, 56 yard drive which stalled at the Texas Tech 19 yard line.  Chris Callahan's 36 yard field goal extended Baylor's lead to 48-40 with 3:44 left in the game.

After a Justin Stockton kickoff return, Texas Tech started the drive at their own 27 yard line.  After moving to their own 38 yard line, Texas Tech received a boost as the Bears committed two consecutive penalties which moved the ball 25 yards downfield to the Baylor 37 yard line.

However, the Red Raiders promptly gave up 20 of the those yards through a personal foul facemask penalty and a Jakeem Grant false start.

Now, with a 1st and 30 at their own 43 yard line, Mahomes was left with about two minutes on the clock. The first down play ended up being an incomplete pass.  On 2nd & 30, Mahomes connected with Lauderdale for a 17 yard gain to the Baylor 40 yard line.  Lauderdale was also able to get out of bounds to stop the clock.

Ashley Wirz, 1340TheFan.com
Ashley Wirz, 1340TheFan.com
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With a 3rd & 13 at the Baylor 40 yard line, Mahomes found Marquez in one-on-one coverage deep down the right side of the field.

Mahomes heaved the ball to the end zone and Marquez was able to make the touchdown reception with a defender draped all over him (pictured, right).

The touchdown pass electrified the Texas Tech fans at AT&T Stadium as the Red Raiders were within two points of the Bears at 48-46.

With 1:42 left in the game, Kingsbury elected to not use his final timeout to discuss a two-point conversion play with his offense.

Mahomes lined up in the shotgun on the crucial two-point conversion attempt, but he was unable to throw a pass to the end zone.  The Bears rushed five on the play and Mahomes was sacked past the 15 yard line to end Texas Tech's attempt at tying the Bears.

Baylor running back Shock Linwood recovered Texas Tech's onside kick attempt and three kneel-downs ended the game.

Mahomes ended the game 30/56 passing for 598 yards with 6 touchdowns and one interception.  Baylor's Bryce Petty went 18/25 passing for 210 yards with 2 touchdowns before being pulled after the second series of the third quarter.

10 different Red Raiders caught passes, including Bradley Marquez who had 6 receptions for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Texas Tech's 2014 season is now over, while Baylor wraps up their 2014 regular season next Saturday against the Kansas State Wildcats.  The Big 12 Conference will announce the Baylor-KState kickoff time on Monday and you'll be able to listen to the game on News/Talk 790, KFYO.

Game Notes

  • Saturday's win by Baylor ties the all-time series between Texas Tech and Baylor, 36-36-1.
  • Baylor now has a four-game winning streak in the series dating back to 2011 - all games being played on a neutral site at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
  • Texas Tech's loss gives Kliff Kingsbury a career record of 12-13 overall, a career record of 6-12 against Big 12 opponents and a career record of 0-2 against Baylor.
  • Mahomes became the second freshman in Texas Tech school history to pass for over 300 yards in three straight games (Davis Webb, 4 - 2013). Mahomes owns a Texas Tech freshman record throwing at least four touchdowns in three consecutive games.
  • Attendance at AT&T Stadium 54,179

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