Baylor and Texas Tech certainly put up the points Saturday night, but the Bears pulled away in a dominating second half to win their 13th straight game dating back to last season. Baylor beat the Red Raiders in Arlington, 63-34.
Texas Tech vs. Baylor 2013 final score: Bears convincing winners in Texas shootout, 63-34
Points were easy to find in Arlington Saturday night, with the Baylor Bears coming up with most of them in a commanding win.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The scoring got started early, as the teams traded three touchdowns apiece in the first quarter. Texas Tech started it out on a trick play, as running back Kenny Williams completed a six-yard touchdown pass to star tight end Jace Amaro. After four minutes without scoring, Baker Mayfield found Amaro for a 20-yard score, giving Texas Tech a 14-0 lead.
Bryce Petty and Baylor responded, as the Bears' quarterback found Levi Norwood for a 40-yard score. After Mayfield found Ward for a five-yard score, Baylor scored twice in about 90 seconds, on Norwood's incredible 58-yard punt return and Petty's 31-yard touchdown pass to Antwan Goodley.
The scoring didn't let up in the second quarter. Devin Chafin's three-yard touchdown run put Baylor up 28-20, but Baker Mayfield responded by throwing a three-yard touchdown strike to Jakeem Grant. Norwood struck again for the Bears about a minute later, as he was on the receiving end of Bryce Petty's 58-yard score, making it 35-27 at the half.
The Bears got back to work in the third quarter, as Baylor took its first drive methodically down the field and punctuated it with Petty’s six-yard touchdown run. Less than four minutes later, Chafin ran 47 yards up the middle for a touchdown, giving Baylor a comfortable 49-27 lead.
Texas Tech responded with a quick drive that started from their own 27, after a penalty. Mayfield connected with Grant for a 41-yard gain, and three plays later he found Reginald Davis for a 19-yard touchdown strike to make it 49-34.
Baylor responded immediately as well. On the second play of the next drive, Petty completed a 48-yard pass to Goodley, and the Bears were able to run it down the field and punch it in with the quarterback’s one-yard touchdown run.
The Bears distanced themselves in the fourth quarter, hitting the 60-point mark for the sixth time this season (and they hit 59 against Kansas) on Shock Linwood's ten-yard touchdown run.
Box Score Hero: Levi Norwood. Norwood filled into Tevin Reese's shoes quite nicely, with seven catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns and a punt return for a score.
Rankings Ramifications: Baylor came into the game ranked fifth, while Texas Tech was unranked. The Bears may move above Ohio State after the Buckeyes’ disappointingly-close win over Illinois, or over Stanford, depending on the USC result.
But Did They Cover? Baylor was a 20-point favorite, so yes.
For More On This Game: For more from Baylor, check out Our Daily Bears. For the Texas Tech perspective, head to Viva the Matadors.
Next Week’s Schedule: Texas Tech has a bye before a Thursday night showdown at Texas, while Baylor travels to face Oklahoma State.
More from SB Nation college football:
See More:
