Big 12 Week 4 Recap: Dana Holgorsen is the Best

Four Big 12 teams began conference play last week, while three others wrapped up their non-conference schedules with two big wins and one loss (can you guess who)?

Rice Owls vs. (5) Baylor Bears

The Baylor Bears dismantled the Rice Owls 70-17 in front of the home crowd in Waco. The No. 5 ranked and two-time Big 12 champion Bears carry plenty of momentum into conference play posting 793 yards of offense, a new season high, and making this the third consecutive game they’ve had at least 700 offensive yards. The Bears have now won 18 straight in Waco, the nation’s longest winning streak at home.

By the numbers:

• Seth Russell (BU) completed 12 of 16 passes for 277 yards and six touchdowns, matching Bryce Petty and Blake Szymanski’s school record .
• Shock Linwood (BU) carried the ball 16 times for 158 yards and a touchdown, and Corey Coleman hauled the ball in for six receptions, 100 yards and three touchdowns.

The Bears showed no signs of slowing down as they head into Big 12 play against Texas Tech in Lubbock this Saturday.

Maryland Terrapins vs. West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia took on Maryland in Morgantown and easily handled the Terrapins, winning 45-6. The Mountaineers will enter their conference schedule undefeated.

By the numbers:

• Skyler Howard (WVU) threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns
• Wendell Smallwood (WVU) posted a new career-high 147 yards rushing, and West Virginia tallied 601 yards of offense in their win.
• The Mountaineers defense also made their presence felt, stealing five interceptions.

Oklahoma State transfer Daxx Garman actually got some playing time for Maryland, replacing quarterback Caleb Rowe late in the third quarter. Garman was responsible for getting his team on the board with a 46-yard touchdown reception to Jarvis Davenport.

Contrary to years past, it’s the defense that’s been the difference as Dana’s squad has allowed the fewest points in the nation at 7.7 per game. (Which is probably even lower than the number of Red Bulls per game.) Of course the fake punts up 38 in the fourth quarter don’t hurt.

https://vine.co/v/exwrQijt0AB

The Mountaineers will look to continue their defensive success against the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners this Saturday.

Also, RIP this cheerleader.

https://vine.co/v/exHU0xKAM3t

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The sole non-conference loss came at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks, who fell to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 27-14.

By the numbers:

• This was the 34th straight game that Kansas has lost on the road.
• Quarterback Montell Cozart (KU) had 193 yards passing.
• Kansas could only muster 64 yards rushing, averaging 2.2 yards per carry.

Overall, there wasn’t much to see here, aside from this picture that pretty well sums up the current state of the two programs.

The Jayhawks are now 0-3 and will try to get their first win of the season against Iowa State on October 3rd.

(3) TCU Horned Frogs vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

In Big 12 play, the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Tech Red Raiders went head to head in what was offensively the most exciting game of the weekend.

With only 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter, TCU won the game on a tipped pass to edge Texas Tech 55-52 and move to 1-0 in conference play.

Down 52-48, the Horned Frogs  faced a fourth-and-goal from the four-yard line.     Trevone Boykin hurled the ball just off the hands of  receiver Josh Doctson. The ball fell toward the back of the end zone, and for a second it seemed as though TCU was done for – enter senior running back Aaron Green.

Green was in perfect position behind Docston, and caught the tipped pass with one foot down. Video review confirmed the catch.

https://vine.co/v/exdt02dIFwJ

By the numbers:

• Boykin finished the day throwing for 485 yards and four touchdowns, and he also carried the ball 14 times for 42 yards.
• Green rushed for 162 yards and two scores and two receptions, including the game winner.
• Josh Docston had an incredible day, finishing the game with 18 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns.  His 18 receptions ties a Big 12 conference record that was set back in 1996 byTexas A&M receiver Albert Connell.
• Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 392 yards and two touchdowns. Mahomes injured his left knee in the first quarter after diving toward the end zone after a lengthy run, but would stay in to finish the game with a knee brace.
• DeAndre Washington rushed 22 times for a career-high 188 yards and four scores.
• TCU and Texas Tech combined to run 187 plays and amass 1,357 yards.

I imagine there was one tortilla for every yard gained. (photo courtesy of Reddit /u/DMTryp)

Even after the insane tipped pass, the Red Raiders had a crazy sequence where it looked as though they might find the end zone after tossing the ball around like a hot potato to several players.

After this shootout game for both teams, Texas Tech falls to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play, and has to reload for the Baylor Bears. TCU faces Texas this Saturday.