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Texas Tech football: Hidden moments from win over Baylor

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball to running back SaRodorick Thompson #4 during the second half of the college football game against the Baylor Bears at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball to running back SaRodorick Thompson #4 during the second half of the college football game against the Baylor Bears at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 14: Running back SaRodorick Thompson #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Baylor Bears at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 14: Running back SaRodorick Thompson #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Baylor Bears at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Thompson’s 30-yard reception on the final drive

Our last hidden play was a 30-yard connection from Alan Bowman to Thompson to really get Tech’s final drive going in the right direction.  But what made it rather unusual is that it came about as a result of Bowman showing some escapability.

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On 2nd-and-5 from the Tech 33 with 1:11 to play, Bowman dropped back to pass.  On the play, a blitzing Baylor linebacker came free forcing the normally statuesque QB to roll out to his left.

Fortunately for Bowman, Thomspon was his safety valve on the play and he was standing wide open in the flats on the side of the field Bowman scrambled to.  Thus, an easy flip got the ball to the running back who made one Bear defender miss on his way to a 30-yard gain down the sideline.

Usually, most game-winning drives feature at least one huge chunk play.  And typically, those plays come early in the possession and help the offense gain some momentum.

When this play occurred, Tech had picked up just 19 yards on the first three plays of the drive while burning almost a minute off the clock.  It was time for a chunk play and Bowman and Thompson delivered.

Also, we must appreciate Bowman’s ability to keep his head.  After all, he hasn’t displayed that type of composure under pressure or that level of escapability from the pocket this year.  Perhaps that a sign that he’s in a better headspace now than he was in when he was benched after the Iowa State game.

It all added up to a huge gain that got the Red Raiders going on their game-winning drive.  And though it wasn’t one of the signature plays of the game, it was one that Tech wouldn’t have won the game without.

light. Related Story. Game balls for win over Baylor

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