First quarter
Key play: Randall Evans made an interception in the end zone, preventing Baylor from scoring three touchdowns in the opening quarter.
Key stat: Baylor outgained K-State 247-75.
Second quarter
Key play: Zach Trujillo caught a 36-yard touchdown pass that helped pull K-State within 21-14.
Key stat: K-State gained 100 yards.
Third quarter
Key play: Bryce Petty hit Antwan Goodley for a 58-yard touchdown pass that helped put Baylor ahead 31-17.
Key stat: Baylor threw for 119 yards.
Fourth quarter
Key play: Xavien Howard intercepted a Jake Waters pass, clinching the victory for Baylor.
Key stat: Waters threw his only interception.
Player of the game: Bryce Petty. A week after suffering a concussion he looked in top form.
Reason to hope: The only three teams K-State lost to this year were ranked in the top 10 at the time they played. The Wildcats are without a doubt one of the nation’s top 15 teams.
Reason to mope: Bill Snyder has never won a game in which both K-State and its opponent were ranked in the top 10.
Looking ahead: K-State fans can start packing their bags for the Alamo Bowl, where the Wildcats will face a Pac-12 opponent, possibly Arizona, Arizona State or UCLA. K-State is a near lock to receive an invitation to the San Antonio bowl with Baylor and TCU heading to college football’s playoff or a playoff-affiliated bowl.
Kellis Robinett, krobinett@kcstar.com
Report card
B | Offense | K-State was smart to stick with its running game even as it fell behind, but it should have taken at least some shots down field against a Baylor defense that surrendered big play after big play to Texas Tech. |
C | Defense | The Wildcats came up with some big plays, but for the most part got shredded by the Bears’ passing attack. |
B | Special teams | K-State couldn’t spring a long return, but Matthew McCrane was perfect on field goals. |
B | Coaching | The better team won. You can’t blame the game plan. |
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