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Baylor Clinches in Red River

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Baylor Clinches in Red River

Baylor scrumhalf and try-scorer Benjamin Neukomm gets set to put the ball into the scrum. Luke Schiltz photo.

Bayor University clinched 1st in the Red River North Saturday with a 42-15 win over Texas Tech

Tech actually took an early lead thanks to a Steven Collins penalty goal, and that slim 3-0 lead lasted past the 20-minute mark. Then Parker Vincent equalized with a penalty, and moments later wing Pernell Greenidge scored and with Vincent's conversion the Bears led 10-3. Another Vincent penalty made it 13-3 at halftime.

In the second half, Baylor took control in the first ten minutes. Tries from scrumhalf Benjamin Neukomm, lock Erriton Fuller, and center Stewart Morris III, the last two converted by Vincent, put the game out of reach at 32-3.

Centers Robert Flinn and Conner Wyatt scored for Tech, with Collins converting one. But Baylor finished it off with a try from lock Cordon Moog and a conversion and penalty from fullback Luke Davis.  

"It was a good win but we left a lot of points out there today," said Baylor Head Coach Mason Hering after the game. "We lost our focus a little bit in both halves. Our backline normally is in sync and cohesive, and that was a little off today. We had some great go forward ball from our forwards, though."

Try-scorer Fuller, prop Nate Portz, and Captain and No. 8 Pete Hamm were all senior forwards playing in their final home games, and they were outstanding. Hamm was a force, dragging Tech defenders along for the ride. He was named Man of the Match.

"We were able to control the possession and territory most of the afternoon and when you can do that it typically leads to a solid performance," said Hering. "Right now our team chemistry is one of the biggest contributors to our success. The guys all want to lay it out on the line for each other and the club every time they step on the pitch. When you can play team first rugby with a lot of heart and attitude good things come your way."

With the victory, Baylor finishes up 7-1. They will likely face LSU in the Red River final. LSU was idle this weekend, and has three games left in the Tigers' regular season.