Baylor wins with inches to spare

Bears hand ‘heartbreak’ ending to Cowboys, who are tackled just short to fall in Big 12 title game.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dezmon Jackson came up inches short on a desperate, fourthdown dive in the final seconds for Oklahoma State, knocking the fifth-ranked Cowboys out of contention for a spot in the fourteam College Football Playoff.

“Just heartbreak,” Cowboys guard Josh Sills said.

Baylor safety Jairon McVea knocked Jackson out of bounds without letting him reach the pylon with 24 seconds left in the Big 12 championship game Saturday, preserving a 21-16 victory for ninth-ranked Baylor.

The Bears’ win came a year after they went 2-7 in coach Dave Aranda’s debut last season.

“This moment is something they can never take away,” Bears linebacker Terrel Bernard said.

Blake Shapen, starting again for injured Gerry Bohanon threw three touchdown passes and completed his first 17 passes as Baylor (11-2) took a 21-3 lead in the first half.

But Oklahoma State (11-2) rallied back, then went 89 yards in 17 plays on that final drive before their Big 12 and national championship hopes ended.

“When I saw the running back with the ball, I thought I’ve got to run this guy down,” said McVea, who wasn’t even sure where the ball was when the tackle was made. “The ref signaled not a touchdown, so when I saw that I was pretty happy.”

“They made a good play. It’s not 27’s fault,” Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said, referring to Jackson.

Spencer Sanders threw four interceptions, one by McVea, and the Cowboys were without leading rusher Jaylen Warren because of his lingering ankle and shoulder issues.

Aranda passed on politicking for the playoff. Baylor’s 11 wins match a school record and came after the 2-7 record last season, when the pandemic wiped out spring drills after his arrival from a national championship as LSU defensive coordinator.

“I’m sure it will work out the way it’s supposed to,” he said.

Baylor won with 242 total yards of offense, only 36 after halftime. Shapen finished 23 of 28 for 180 yards passing overall.

The Bears’ season last year ended with a 42-3 home loss to Oklahoma State.

Asked if he could contrast the way last season ended with how his second year played out, Aranada simply said: “No.”