There were plenty of big events in Big XII play last weekend. Oklahoma State knocked Texas from the ranks of the unbeaten in conference play, setting up a showdown with Baylor this weekend that will ultimately decide who wins the Big XII. Oklahoma made a quarterback switch, going back to Trevor Knight, who started the season before suffering an injury and being supplanted by Blake Bell. And most importantly, Kansas won their first conference game since 2010.
Here is a recap of last weekend's Big XII games.
Texas Tech- 34 vs. #5 Baylor- 63
Texas Tech came out firing, opening up a 20-7 lead in the first quarter. Baker Mayfield was accurate. Eric Ward made one ridiculous one-handed catch after another. Jace Amaro was looking good, as usual, scoring the first two touchdowns of the game.
Then Baylor picked it up.
Within the last two minutes of the first quarter, Levi Norwood returned a punt for a touchdown and Bryce Petty threw a perfect pass into the hands of Antwan Goodley to give the Bears a 21-20 lead to end the quarter. Baylor then dominated the second half, outscoring the Red Raiders 28-7, eventually leading them to their 29 point victory.
Despite the injuries to Glasco Martin and Lache Seastrunk, Shock Linwood was able to carry the load again for the Bears, rushing for 187 yards and a touchdown, and 4th string running back Devin Chafin also ran for 100 yards and two scores.
Norwood was the player of the game on offense, though. On top of his punt return for a touchdown, he caught seven passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
For the Red Raiders, Mayfield threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns, but also threw an interception and only completed 55-percent of his passes. And as if losing a fourth straight game was not enough for Tech, Amaro suffered what appeared to be a head injury during the game catching his fourth pass of the game, and would not return. Losing Amaro would be a huge blow to the Red Raiders.
#12 Oklahoma State- 38 vs. #24 Texas- 13
Texas suffers their first conference loss of the season as Case McCoy had another poor game as he threw three interceptions and for only 221 yards. Malcolm Brown carried the majority of the workload for the Longhorns, leading the team with 25 carries, but only averaged three yards per carry. Overall, the Longhorns were unable to capitalize on offensive opportunities. They were able to outgain the Cowboys 389-380 in total offensive yards, yet they were unable to score points.
Oklahoma State on the other hand, was much more effective. Clint Chelf completed 16 of his 22 passes and rushed for 95 yards and contributed four total touchdowns. Justin Gilbert also returned an interception for a touchdown.
It looks like the Longhorns are feeling the effects of Jonathan Gray’s season ending injury. Prior to his season ending injury last week, Gray had been averaging nearly five yards per carry, and had done a good job keeping the defense focused on the run, allowing McCoy to be more efficient. If McCoy does not pick up his play soon, the Tyrone Swoopes era may be coming soon.
The Cowboys also set up a big showdown next weekend against Baylor. Whoever wins next weekend, ultimately takes control of the Big XII and controls their own destiny from that point on.
Iowa State- 10 vs. #18 Oklahoma- 48
The story of the game was Trevor Knight re-emerging on the field as the Sooners quarterback as Blake Bell has been inconsistent all season. And Knight played very well, completing eight of his 14 pass attempts, and rushed for 123 yards.
The Sooners running game was excellent on Saturday. On top of Knight’s performance, Damian Williams rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns and Brennan Clay rushed for another 86. The Sooners will need more performances like this from their rushing attack moving forward, as their quarterback situation is back in limbo.
For Iowa State, their abysmal season continues. Grant Rohach threw two interceptions and their leading rusher, Aaron Wimberly, only rushed for 50 yards.
TCU- 31 vs. Kansas State- 33
Kansas State started the game with a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, including a 71-yard touchdown pass from Jake Waters to Tyler Lockett, on a route where Lockett was able to get potential first-round pick Jason Verrett turned around on a double move.
TCU, however, took control in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 21-10 to take a 28-27 lead. Then, after exchanging field goals in the 4th quarter, giving TCU a 31-30 lead. Kansas State was able to get into field goal range and kick the game-winner with three seconds left in the game, ultimately giving them the victory.
The Wildcats quarterback play once again helped lead the offense. Jake Waters threw for 234 yards and dual-threat Daniel Sams ran for 109.
For TCU, Casey Pachall played with more efficiency, completing 23 of his 33 passes for 248 yards. However, he threw one interception that ended up leading to a Wildcats touchdown. TCU’s 348 total offensive yards was one of their better offensive performances this season, which is a good sign as the program moves forward, as they are no longer bowl eligible, suffering their seventh loss of the season on Saturday.
West Virginia- 19 vs. Kansas- 31
IT FINALLY HAPPENED!
Kansas won their first Big XII game since 2010, defeating an incredibly inconsistent West Virginia team that has not had anything that resembles consistent quarterback play all season. Paul Millard completed only 23 of his 42 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Jayhawks have officially benched Jake Heaps, as Montell Cozart played the entire game at quarterback. While he did not play well passing, Cozart did rush for 60 yards and helped supplement what was an incredible game for running back James Sims. Sims had a career day, rushing for 211 yards and three touchdowns, essentially putting the Jayhawks on his back and carrying them to victory.
The game was not as close as the score shows either. Kansas scored two touchdowns in the final five minutes of the game to make the game look more respectable. Kansas did a great job dominating this game. Their first conference win in three years was certainly not a fluke.