The Red Raiders Can’t Create Late Game Magic in Waco

The Texas Tech Red Raiders nearly had another miracle drive and long-distance field goal to create some late-game magic against the Baylor Bears, but the first missed field goal of the season would see the Red Raiders come up short 27-24 in Waco. The Red Raiders came into the game as big underdogs to the Bears who are still alive in the Big 12 title picture.

The Red Raiders finish the season 6-6 but are locked into a bowl game, while the Bears finished their regular season 10-2. Depending on how Bedlam and conference championship weekend shakeout, Baylor could be in a top 10 matchup for their bowl game, while the Red Raiders will likely match up with a lowly Big Ten matchup like Purdue or Maryland.

The game itself was the first of the season where Cumbie was locked in as the Offensive Coordinator for the 2022 season after a midweek announcement from Joey McGuire confirmed that Cumbie would return to run the offense next season.

Against Baylor, Donovan Smith started slowly with Cumbie trying to get the ground attack going early after the struggles against Oklahoma State. Baylor would open with a touchdown drive on three plays, then a 17-yard gain ending in a fumble by Texas Tech would give the ball right back to Baylor. That led to a quick 10-0 lead for the Bears.

The Red Raiders would battle back in the second quarter to end the half down 17-10.

Baylor would force a punt by Texas Tech to open the second half, but not capitalize after missing a field goal. Another Red Raider punt would lead to another field goal drive by Baylor, but this one would connect for a 20-10 lead.

That's when the offenses got hot. Texas Tech would strike next with a five-play drive capped off by a 38-yard touchdown throw by Smith to McLane Mannix. Baylor would come back with a 10-play touchdown drive of their own. Not to be outdone, Travis Koontz would take a 75-yard TE screen the distance to keep pace.

Baylor would lead 27-24 and have the opportunity to put the game out of reach with a 4th down play in the red zone on the ensuing drive, but Collin Schooler would make the play. The Red Raiders would get the ball with about 1:30 left in the game down three.

Donovan Smith would get the Red Raiders in field goal range but the first field goal miss of the season by Jonathan Garibay would end the game instead of sending it to overtime.