12/06/25 02:30:00
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12/06 14:29 CST Texas Tech wins Big 12 title and likely first-round CFP bye
with 34-7 win over BYU
Texas Tech wins Big 12 title and likely first-round CFP bye with 34-7 win over
BYU
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) --- Cameron Dickey scored right after the first of
linebacker Ben Roberts' two interceptions in the second half as No. 5 Texas
Tech won the Big 12 championship game, and almost certainly locked up a
first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, with a 34-7 victory over
11th-ranked BYU on Saturday.
After investing millions of dollars in the transfer portal, the Red Raiders
(12-1, No. 4 CFP) have their first Big 12 title --- they are one of only six
schools that have been part of all 30 Big 12 seasons. They are also going to
the CFP for the first time, though their win prevented the Big 12 from getting
a second team in the playoff.
Behren Morton, who didn't play in Tech's only loss at Arizona State, threw two
TDs to Cody Eakin and Stone Harrington kicked four field goals for the Red
Raiders.
The only losses by BYU (11-2, No. 11 CFP) are to the Red Raiders, including
29-7 in Lubbock four weeks ago before four turnovers in the second half this
time. The Cougars will fall out of the top 12 instead of moving up when the new
CFP rankings come out Sunday. They likely needed to be in the top 10 for a
playoff spot.
Roberts, one of the holdovers on the Tech defense along with fellow linebacker
Jacob Rodriguez (13 tackles), got his first interception with about 3 1/2
minutes left in the third quarter when he reached up and deflected the pass by
true freshman Bear Bachmeier. On the next play, Dickey took a direct snap and
ran untouched 11 yards for a touchdown and 21-7 lead after making the 2-point
conversion.
Harrington, who kicked a school-record five field goals against BYU last month,
missed a 49-yard field goal attempt after Roberts jumped a route to make a
one-handed interception in the fourth quarter.
But in between Roberts becoming the first player with multiple interceptions in
one of the 24 Big 12 championship games, transfer Romello Height recovered when
Bachmeier fumbled when being sacked. Harrington made a 44-yarder that time.
___
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