WACO, Texas — Garrett Greene threw for 269 yards with two touchdowns, including the winning 29-yard score to running back Jahiem White wide open down the left sideline with 23 seconds left, as West Virginia beat Baylor, 34-31, on Saturday night.
The Mountaineers (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) were out of timeouts when they took over at their own 20-yard line after Isaiah Hankins missed a 32-yard field goal with 1 minute, 14 seconds left. They went 80 yards in six plays over 51 seconds, starting with completions of 11 and 23 yards to Hudson Clement.
Richard Reese returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the first half for Baylor (4-8, 3-6), which then scored 17 consecutive points in the second half to take a 31-27 lead before the missed field goal.
The Bears lost their final five games and have dropped 13 of 16 overall. They finished 1-7 at home, with the only victory while playing a school-record eight home games coming against FCS member Long Island on Sept. 16.
Greene also ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns. White led the Mountaineers with 133 yards rushing on 17 carries.
With Baylor starting quarterback Blake Shapen out with a concussion, Sawyer Robertson completed his first 10 passes and finished 17 for 19 for 219 yards with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Ketron Jackson early in the second half.
Reese’s kickoff returns of 96 and 93 yards came in a span of 3:39 in the second quarter. The Mountaineers outgained Baylor 365 total yards to 86 before halftime, when they led 27-14.
It was the first time a Baylor player returned back-to-back kickoffs for touchdowns. The Bears hadn’t had one since Trestan Ebner’s 98-yarder against Iowa State on Sept 25, 2021, a year after his two returns for scores against Kansas: a 100-yard kickoff return and an 83-yard score off the free kick after a safety.
West Virginia now awaits word on its bowl destination.
