2025 Big 12 Championship, Wk 15, 12-6-25 | Photo Gallery
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Texas Tech's defense features a number of stars. As All-American DE David Bailey (No. 31 pictured) holds the edge, Big 12 Championship Defensive MVP Ben Roberts (No. 13 pictured) closes in on the running back with Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Rodriguez.
The 2025 Big 12 Championship game featured two teams facing off for the second time. In early November, Texas Tech dominated BYU in a 22-point victory. The Red Raiders held BYU to just 67 rushing yards and under three yards per carry (2.5 YPC). Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin ran for 35 yards on 10 attempts.
At the center of the action was Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Rodriguez, who finished with 14 tackles and one tackle for loss. In addition, Texas Tech’s third down defense held BYU to just three conversions in 14 attempts.
Would things be any different this time around?
It certainly started with a different feel. Following a Texas Tech punt, BYU held the ball nearly seven minutes on a 14-play, 90-yard drive. Martin lined up in the Wildcat and scored on a 10-yard touchdown.
In fact, BYU’s defense held up well through most of the first half. They forced two Stone Harrington field goals and one Harrington 48-yard miss. Junior receiver Coy Eakin (6’2, 210) made up for that when he caught the first of two touchdowns.
The half ended with Texas Tech in the lead 13-7.
Complementary football
But the Red Raiders defense had an impact beyond Rodriguez (13 tackles, TFL). Consensus All-American David Bailey made plays all over the field. Bailey finished with five tackles, a quarterback sack, one-and-a-half tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Eight Red Raiders had at least a half-tackle for loss.
And the star of the game -Big 12 Championship Game MVP Ben Roberts- continued to show off his ball skills. The former high school safety came into the game with two interceptions. He added two pass thefts in the contest to set a Big 12 Championship game record. The third-team All-Big 12 linebacker added five tackles and a pass breakup.
Offensively, senior quarterback Behren Morton threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He connected eight times with Miami (OH.) transfer Reggie Virgil eight times for 86 yards. Eakin finished with three receptions for 66 yards.
The Red Raiders running back J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey combined for 152 yards on 33 carries. Dickey’s 11-yard third quarter score put the team up 21-7.
Texas Tech added two more Harrington field goals and a 28-yard touchdown reception from Eakin. In the second half, they pulled away from the Cougars en route to a 34-7 victory.
We review some of the images in our photo gallery recap.
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