The Baylor Bears completed an improbable comeback in 2012 with an equally improbable comeback win over Texas Tech on Saturday, winning 52-45 in overtime over the Red Raiders to attain bowl eligibility for the third consecutive year. It marks the first time in program history that the Bears have made three straight bowls.
Texas Tech jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on rushing touchdowns by Seth Doege and Kenny Williams. From there, the teams alternated scores through the game's first three quarters. Baylor finally completed the comeback early in the fourth quarter, when Eddie Lackey picked off a Doege pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown, putting the Bears ahead 35-31.
Tech struck back in just over two minutes, with a Doege touchdown pass to Darrin Moore capping a five-play, 71-yard drive. Baylor went 75 yards on 10 plays in just 3:26, retaking the lead with a Nick Florence touchdown pass to Terrance Williams. Tech again stormed back, scoring after a six-play, 63-yard drive to retake a three-point lead. Baylor kicker Aaron Jones made a field goal with 2:48 left to tie the game at 45.
Lackey's second interception of the quarter gave Baylor the ball back at the Tech 32 with just seconds to play, but Jones missed a 48-yard field goal attempt, sending the game to overtime. Baylor scored first in the extra period on a four-play drive where the Bears did not throw the ball. Texas Tech took a holding penalty on the first play of their overtime drive, and a Doege pass to Eric Ward fell incomplete on fourth down to end the game.
Nick Florence finished with 396 yards passing and three scores. Lache Seastrunk had 136 rushing yards on just 19 carries, and Glasco Martin added 98 yards and two touchdowns. Terrance Williams' 175 receiving yards led the Bears' pass-catchers. Red Raiders quarterback Doege managed 359 yards on 30-of-40 passing against the Baylor defense, but his three interceptions doomed Tech to defeat.
Baylor will now wait for its bowl destination. If Our Daily Bears' response is any indication, the location won't much matter. The Bears do have one more game on the schedule, a Dec. 1 home matchup with Oklahoma State.