ARLINGTON - Jairon McVea’s stop of Oklahoma State running back Desmond Jackson on 4th down inside the Baylor one in the closing seconds enabled the Bears to win the Big 12 championship, 21-16 Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

On the play, Dezmon Jackson took a handoff toward the far side of the field and raced for the pylon. However, McVea was able to summon enough speed to push Jackson out of bounds before he could try to stretch across the goal line.

It’s the third conference championship in school history and first in the title game appearance. Baylor also won it 2013 and 2014. No. 9 Baylor (11-2) won 11 games for the second time in three seasons. Baylor was in the 2019 title game and lost to Oklahoma in overtime, 30-23.

The Bears have also clinched a berth at least in the Sugar Bow New Year’s night.

With 3:23 to play, Oklahoma State traveled from its 10 to the Baylor doorstep aided by a pass interference in the end zone. But the Bears held their ground.

After completing his first 17 attempts quarterback Blake Shapen, in place of the injured Gerry Bohanon, was named the game’s most outstanding player.

Baylor also set a title game record with four interceptions of Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders. They scored 14 points off that.

The defense also made three goal line stands that held the Cowboys to just six points. The third was the clincher.

On his playoff hopes, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said the playoff should play out the way it should.

No. Oklahoma State (11-2) was likely eliminated from playoff contention.