But the losing side on that cold, blustery day in Ames, Iowa wasn’t a directional school getting drummed for a payday, but fellow Big 12 foe Texas Tech, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes — who was playing in his next-to-last college game.

A growing crew of prospects hailed for their ability to create off-script plays entered the NFL only to discover that it’s not nearly as easy as the Chiefs quarterback makes it look.