Mahomes 6 TD passes in Texas Tech finale, 54-35 over Baylor

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Patrick Mahomes had another stellar game for Texas Tech in an NFL stadium. The Red Raiders now wait to find out if the dual-threat quarterback stays for his senior season or leaves early for the NFL draft.

In what might have been his last college game, Mahomes threw for 586 yards and matched a career high with six touchdown passes as Texas Tech won its season finale 54-35 over Baylor on Friday night.

"I'm just focused on we got the win and celebrating with my teammates," Mahomes said. "I'll get a little bit of a break to go home and enjoy my family and friends, and then I'll talk with Coach Kingsbury, talk to my family, and figure out what's the best decision."

Mahomes completed 30 of 46 passes in the season finale and finished the season with 5,052 yards passing — a national-leading 421 per game for the Red Raiders (5-7, 3-6 Big 12). He became only third FBS player with multiple seasons of more than 5,000 total yards,

Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury said the next step is determining Mahomes' potential draft process and that they would submit this weekend to begin that process.

"I know what I'd like to tell him," Kingsbury said, with a smile. "If the money is right and he needs to go, do that. If it's not, if there's some way we can improve and improve his skill set and his talent, then he'll come back and we'll do it again."

The two teams combined for 1,300 total yards (666 for the Red Raiders, 634 for the Bears). Both had two 100-yard receivers, and Baylor's Terence Williams ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns.

Mahomes also threw six TDs against Baylor in the Dallas Cowboys' stadium two years ago.

Baylor (6-5, 3-5) has lost five in a row since starting 6-0 to get bowl eligible and reaching No. 8 in the AP poll.

"When we were 6-0, I didn't feel comfortable going into the last half of the season," acting head coach Jim Grobe said. "Because I knew we had a lot of things going on and swirling around outside the program that could affect us."

Bears freshman quarterback Zach Smith was 30-of-46 passing for 377 yards with three touchdowns and an interception in his second start since senior Seth Russell's ankle surgery.

Texas Tech led 34-7 midway through the second quarter after Mahomes' 80-yard pass to Keke Coutee, who finished with eight catches for 221 yards. Coutee made the catch near midfield and spun away from the grasp of a defender.

Mahomes had thrown an 81-yard TD to Quan Shorts on his previous pass, and earlier, a 40-yard score to Dylan Cantrell immediately after a Bears fumble. The 80- and 81-yard TDs both came on the first plays after Baylor had been stopped on fourth down.

"He can keep the plays alive, and he always keeps his eyes downfield," Baylor linebacker Aiavion Edwards said. "If you give you any time at all, he's going to find an open target, and most likely deep."

And fast.

THE TAKEAWAY

Baylor: The Bears now have their longest losing streak since dropping nine in a row. They lost their last eight games of the 2007 season and former coach Art Briles' debut in 2008 against Wake Forest, when Baylor acting head coach Jim Grobe coached the Demon Deacons.

Texas Tech: The strong finish to end a three-game losing streak at least eases the sting of going into a long offseason, especially after that woeful 66-10 loss at Iowa State the previous week.

MAHOMES 5K

Mahomes joined former Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell (2007-08) and former Houston QB Case Keenum (2008-09, 11) with over 5,000 total yards more than once. Mahomes had 5,337 yards this season while accounting for 53 TDs (41 passing, 12 rushing).

BAYLOR NOTES

Baylor had two receivers with at least 10 catches for the first time in school history. Ishmael Zamora (155 yards, one TD) and KD Cannon (132 yards, two TDs) each had 12 catches. ... The Bears had four turnovers (three lost fumbles and an interception). The Bears also had three fumbles they were able to recover.

UP NEXT

Texas Tech goes into the offseason. Its 2017 season opener is Sept. 2 at home against Eastern Washington.

Baylor finishes the regular season Dec. 3 at No. 19 West Virginia.

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