Baylor Bears vs West Virginia Mountaineers Match Player Stats On Dec 03, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Dec 3, 2016

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Justin Crawford ran for 209 yards, Skyler Howard accounted for three touchdowns and No. 16 West Virginia overcame a slow start to down Baylor 24-21 on Saturday in a Big 12 game.

Gary Jennings took a slant pass 58 yards and Daikiel Shorts made an acrobatic, toe-tapping touchdown grab as the Mountaineers (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) wrapped up their winningest season since joining the Big 12 in 2012.

With Howard completing only 10 of 26 passes for a season-low 111 yards, the West Virginia running game compensated. Crawford carried 28 times for a 7.5-yard average and Martell Pettaway added 63 of the Mountaineers' 311 on the ground.

Zack Smith's 43-yard strike to Ishmael Zamora gave Baylor (6-6, 3-6) a chance with 2:40 left, but the Bears' recovery of an onside kick was negated by an illegal block.

Smith threw for 244 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and two lost fumbles as Baylor closed the regular season on a six-game skid.

Reports surfaced midgame that West Virginia reached a contract extension with coach Dana Holgorsen. His record through six seasons improved to 46-30 overall and 22-23 in Big 12 games.

Baylor led 14-3 after KD Cannon caught a 60-yard touchdown and Terence Williams scoerd on a 9-yard run. But West Virginia reeled off 21 straight points, including Howard's 1-yard sneak set up by Marvin Gross' strip-sack of Smith at the Bears' 6-yard line.

NOTES: During pregame ceremonies, West Virginia recognized 21 seniors -- 14 of whom have started during their careers. ... West Virginia RB Justin Crawford surpassed 1,000 yards for the season in the first half and ripped off a season-long 63-yard run in the third quarter. ... In the first quarter, the Milan Puskar Stadium videoboard switched live to the final seconds of West Virginia's basketball upset win at No. 6 Virginia. ... Baylor had not lost six straight games since 2007.