Patrick Mahomes threw for 586 yards and matched his career high with six touchdown passes, including three on one-play drives before halftime, as Texas Tech finished its season with a 54-35 victory over Baylor on Friday night.
In what might have been his last game for the Red Raiders (5-7, 3-6 Big 12), Mahomes completed 30 of 46 passes and became only the third FBS player with multiple seasons of 5,000 total yards. The dual-threat junior and national passing leader at 421 yards a game hasn't said if he will return for his senior season or go into the NFL draft early.
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.
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.
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.
