The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s Big 12 championship game between BYU and Texas Tech. Check back for updates throughout the game.
Fourth quarter
6:53 — How much worse can it get for BYU?
LJ Martin fumbled on a screen reception to give the ball back to Texas Tech for the fourth Cougars turnover of the day. Texas Tech 31, BYU 7.
7:03 — The Red Raiders are pouring it on.
On 4th down and 1, Behren Morton connected with Coy Eakin for a 28-yard touchdown to all but bury the Cougars. Texas Tech 31, BYU 7.
10:36 — Texas Tech misses a 49-yard field goal. Texas Tech 24, BYU 7.
12:40 — That should do it for the Cougars.
Bear Bachmeier was intercepted for the second time today — with Red Raiders linebacker Ben Roberts snagging the pick on both occasions. Texas Tech 24, BYU 7.
12:49 — Another field goal puts Texas Tech ahead by 17 points. Texas Tech 24, BYU 7.
14:49 — Texas Tech’s defensive front has been dominant all night, and now its resulted in another BYU turnover.
The Cougars were running what appeared to be a tornado reverse play, only for Red Raiders defensive lineman AJ Holmes to blow up the play, light up Bear Bachmeier and force a fumble that was recovered by Romello Height at the BYU 24-yard line.
Third quarter
Texas Tech 21, BYU 7
3:21 — Immediate points for Texas Tech off of the Bear Bachmeier interception.
Cameron Dickey ran 11 yards into the end zone on the first play following the turnover, with a successful 2-point try giving the Red Raiders a 14-point advantage. Texas Tech 21, BYU 7.
Given BYU’s offensive struggles and Texas Tech’s momentum, it will be as uphill a climb back into this ballgame as the Cougars have faced all year.
3:26 — Disaster for BYU.
On a critical third down, Bear Bachmeier’s pass was picked off by Ben Roberts and returned to the BYU 10-yard line. Texas Tech 13, BYU 7.
It was the first turnover of the game and could not have come at a worse time for the Cougars.
4:58 — BYU thwarts a Texas Tech trick play on fourth down to regain possession at its own 14-yard line. Texas Tech 13, BYU 7.
Biggest drive of the day coming up for the Cougars, who need to establish some sort of offense outside of screen passes.
9:29 — Will Ferrin misses a 46-yard field goal to open the second half. Texas Tech 13, BYU 7.
BYU traveled 47 yards on 12 plays to set up the kick, only for the Cougars to end up empty-handed on Ferrin’s seventh miss of the season — he previously missed six total kicks from 2023-24.
The most alarming trend for BYU? The Cougars have no downfield passing attack, as banged-up Bear Bachmeier has thrown 14 screens out of his 19 total pass attempts.
Halftime
Texas Tech 13, BYU 7
Second quarter
Texas Tech 13, BYU 7
0:21 — Texas Tech nets a 40-yard field goal. Texas Tech 13, BYU 7.
BYU’s offense has completely cratered, with just 24 yards of offense since its opening drive.
The Red Raiders have racked up 228 yards of offense, but BYU’s defense has managed to prevent disaster.
The Cougars will receive the second half kickoff.
4:51 — Texas Tech misses a 48-yard field goal wide left. Texas Tech 10, BYU 7.
The missed kick helped to bail BYU out after a disastrous failed fake punt attempt a few plays earlier that gave the Red Raiders the ball at the Cougars’ 42-yard line.
But now with new life, BYU will look to regain its lost momentum down the final stretch of the first half.
10:42 — Texas Tech pulls ahead.
Behren Morton fired 33 yards into the right corner endzone to Coy Eakin, who beat BYU’s Evan Johnson — though there may have been some questionable contact from Eakin — to haul in the touchdown. Texas Tech 10, BYU 7.
Texas Tech has now put up 176 yards of offense through three drives, with the touchdown capping a seven play, 61-yard drive.
Now it’s time to see if the Cougars can respond with points of their own to stay in the fight.
14:56 — Texas Tech opens the second frame with a 23-yard field goal. BYU 7, Texas Tech 3.
The Red Raiders traveled 70 yards across 11 plays for the field goal, gashing the Cougars early before BYU’s defense tightened up in the red zone to avoid a touchdown.
Texas Tech is averaging just 2.4 yards per carry, but Behren Morton has completed 8 of 12 passes early and the Red Raiders are 3 of 5 on third down tries.
In the first quarter alone, Texas Tech had three false start penalties — that’s something to monitor going forward.
First quarter
BYU 7, Texas Tech
4:58 — BYU strikes first in Arlington.
Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin took a direct snap 10 yards into the end zone to give the Cougars an early lead. BYU 7, Texas Tech 0.
BYU strung together a 14-play, 90-yard drive after forcing a Red Raiders punt, with Martin logging six touches and Bear Bachmeier going 4 of 6 in passing for 38 yards in a screen-heavy attack.
The Cougars also rolled out an early trick play as Parker Kingston faked an end around and completed a 22-yard pass to tight end Carsen Ryan.
How to watch the game
BYU’s rematch with Texas Tech will be broadcast on ABC and can be streamed through the ESPN app.
Pregame prep
Here are a few stories to get you ready for the Big 12 championship game between BYU and Texas Tech.