Tag: baylor bears

Nov 23, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda on the field during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Surging Baylor looks to continue winning ways in clash vs. Kansas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baylor and Kansas, two of the hottest teams in the nation, will square off with plenty still on the line Saturday afternoon in their Big 12 Conference clash in Waco, Texas.

The Bears (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) mathematically are alive for a chance to play in the Big 12 championship game but would need to beat Kansas and hope for a scenario in which eight teams tie for first in the league standings.

The Jayhawks (5-6, 4-4) have won three straight games — all against ranked opponents — and four of their past five after a tumultuous start to the season. Kansas will be bowl eligible if it beats the Bears, pretty amazing if you consider it began the season with a 1-5 record.

Baylor heads home after a 20-10 road win over anemic Houston last Saturday. Sawyer Robertson threw for 204 yards and two touchdown passes, Bryson Washington rushed 28 times for 113 yards and the Bears’ defense allowed just 239 total yards in the victory.

The Bears were 2-4 and winless in three Big 12 games after losing at Iowa State on Oct. 5. Since then, they’ve produced five straight victories — three of them on the road.

“I never lost faith in the team,” ‘Baylor defensive tackle Elinus Noel III said. “I think people started to see a replay of last year (3-9), maybe. But within the facility, we knew what it was. There were a couple things that we had to fine-tune.

“We’ve gotten better at cleaning that up, and it’s starting to show. We’ve still got a lot further to go.”

The Jayhawks beat conference-leading Colorado 37-21 in Kansas City last Saturday to help create a mishmash of the Big 12 standings. With the win over the then-No. 16 Buffaloes, Kansas became the first team in college football history with a losing record to win three straight games over ranked opponents.

“I’m so proud of this group and our coaching staff because so many people had written this team off,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “Everyone was frustrated, pointing to things that should’ve been changed or done differently. But this group stuck together, stayed committed to the process and has everything we asked of them.”

Devin Neal led the way in the win with 207 rushing yards and three touchdowns and another 80 yards receiving and a score in the win over Colorado. He was named Big 12 offensive player of the week for his efforts.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Traylon Ray (7) catches a pass and is tackled by Baylor Bears linebacker Keaton Thomas (11) during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Bryson Washington racks up 4 TDs as Baylor outscores West Virginia

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bryson Washington’s four-touchdown day led the Baylor Bears past the West Virginia Mountaineers 49-35 on Saturday night in Morgantown, W.Va.

The sophomore running back amassed 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a 51-yard scoring burst in the second quarter He also had five catches for 59 yards, and his 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter tied the game at 7-7.

Sawyer Robertson threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns on 26-for-36 passing for Baylor (6-4, 4-3 Big 12).

Garrett Greene returned at quarterback in a big way for the Mountaineers after sustaining an upper-body injury in a loss to Kansas State on Oct. 19. Greene threw for 237 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and piled up 129 yards more yards rushing with two more scores.

The interception came in the fourth quarter with West Virginia trailing 42-28. Baylor’s Corey Gordon Jr. anticipated Greene’s sideline pass and got one foot inbounds on the catch.

That turnover ended in another Baylor touchdown, putting the game out of reach with the Bears up three touchdowns.

The Bears cashed in that turnover on a 15-yard scoring run by Dawson Pendergrass for a three-touchdown lead.

In the third quarter, West Virginia wide receiver Traylon Ray was carted off the field with a leg injury.

The teams went back and forth throughout the second quarter, ending with each team scoring two touchdowns in the final 2:13. Washington’s long run gave Baylor a 28-14 lead, but CJ Donaldson Jr. rushed 23 yards for a score with 1:47 left in the half.

Washington scored again, this time from 8 yards out, with 47 seconds left, but Greene ran 1-yards for a touchdown as time ran out in the half to get the Mountaineers back within seven at 35-28.

The teams combined for 673 yards in the first half and 55 total points. In contrast, neither team scored in the third quarter, although Baylor’s Isaiah Hankins came up empty on a 55-yard field goal attempt.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) celebrates after scoring a 41 yard touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor bid to subdue TCU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Something has to give when longtime rivals Baylor and TCU square off on Saturday evening in a Big 12 Conference game in Waco, Texas.

Both the Bears (4-4, 2-3) and Horned Frogs (5-3, 3-2) carry two-game winning streaks into the clash.

Saturday’s meeting will be the 120th all-time in the series, making it the most-played rivalry game in the state of Texas.

Both teams are stocked with talent.

Baylor’s most recent contest was a 38-28 victory at home over Oklahoma State last Saturday. Sawyer Robertson threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 73 yards for another score to lead the Bears.

Dawson Pendergrass added 142 yards rushing on just six carries, highlighted by 55-yard touchdown with 3:06 remaining that sealed the win. Baylor amassed 565 total yards — marking its second straight game eclipsing the 500-yard barrier — and rushed for a season-high 343 yards.

Baylor already has bested last season’s win total of three.

“(Different) skilled players have really emerged these last couple weeks, and it’s led to the ball getting split in various ways,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said Monday. “When it is the way it is right now, everyone feels they’ve got a piece and a part of scoring points and winning games. So it’s more positive and probably better environment.”

TCU will roar into Waco on the heels of a thrilling 35-34 comeback win at home over Texas Tech last Saturday.

The Horned Frogs trailed by 17 points late in the third quarter but took the lead on an 84-yard scoring pass from Josh Hoover to Eric McAlister with 5:10 to play. TCU forced a fumble on its own 27-yard-line and held on for the win.

“I think we’re playing hard,” Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes said. “It’s still not great football, but they’re starting to gain some confidence from grinding out some tough wins. I really love this team; the guys are invested in each other. You don’t win a game like we did against Tech if that’s not the case.”

Hoover passed for 344 yards and three TDs in the victory. His scoring pass to McAlister was TCU’s longest scoring play of the season, supplanting a 75-yard touchdown connection from Hoover to Savion Williams earlier in the game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Josh Cameron (34) makes a touchdown catch against Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III (24) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Baylor faces tough test vs. No. 16 Iowa State’s methodical style

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda has watched enough film of No. 16 Iowa State to know what to expect on Saturday night in Ames, Iowa.

But just because the Bears know what to expect doesn’t guarantee they can overcome it.

“They ball control offensively and just eat up clock,” Aranda said this week. “And then on the other side of it, defensively, it’s kind of the same thing in reverse. They’re going to rush three, they’re going to drop everybody back, and they’re going to make it so that you have to have the discipline to put a 10-play drive together. …

“That philosophy has treated them well. They kind of choke you out, slowly.”

Baylor (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) will try to escape the chokehold in what promises to be a raucous environment at Iowa State (4-0, 1-0). The Cyclones are promoting a “white out” under the lights as they look to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 1980.

Iowa State is coming off a 20-0 win over Houston a week ago. The Cyclones have outscored opponents 113-29 this season.

The Cyclones’ dominance has captured attention across college football, particularly the defense, which has allowed only 7.3 points per game to rank fourth in the nation.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell acknowledged that his team is playing in a much brighter spotlight now than it was at the beginning of the season. He responded candidly when a reporter asked how he thought his players would handle the extra attention.

“You don’t know how they’re going to handle it,” Campbell said. “They’re 18- to 22-year-olds.

“I think the great thing about what we’re trying to do is consistently become the best of us that we can be because that’s what it’s going to take. Unfortunately, our sport is extremely humbling. As soon as you think you figured it out, you’re going to get humbled really fast. It’s just too competitive. There’s just too many good teams, too many good situations.

“You’ve got to be hungry. You’ve got to be a team that is willing to sacrifice everything it takes. That’s not just Saturday. That’s like, ‘Man, can I keep taking care of my body? Can I keep practicing great on Tuesday? Can I keep practicing great on Wednesday? Can I keep practicing great on Thursday?’ And that’s hard. …

“The challenge of having elite success at this level is: Are you mentally tough enough to show up every day and be your best?”

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht has 896 passing yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Abu Sama III is the team’s top rusher with 225 yards and a score on 40 carries.

On defense, J.R. Singleton leads the Cyclones with three sacks.

Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson has passed for 787 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has rushed for 116 yards and three scores.

Josh Cameron is Robertson’s top target in the passing game. He has 16 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, safety Corey Gordon Jr. leads the team with a pair of interceptions.

Baylor is eager for a victory after losing back-to-back games by single digits. The Bears lost 38-31 in overtime against Colorado on Sept. 21 and 34-28 in regulation against then-No. 22 BYU on Saturday.

Aranda said his players were determined to stop the skid.

“(There is) frustration,” he said. “Urgency. I think if I had to choose another (phrase), I would say, ‘All in.’”

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; BYU Cougars coach Kalani Sitake looks on during the first half of the game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

After being ‘cut wide open,’ Baylor takes on No. 22 BYU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baylor must go from a “heart-wrenching loss,” according to coach Dave Aranda, at Colorado last week to facing unbeaten and No. 22-ranked BYU in Waco, Texas, on Saturday.

The Bears (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) lost 38-31 in overtime to Colorado after Shedeur Sanders connected with LaJohntay Wester on a 43-yard Hail Mary pass on the last play of regulation.

“When you’re cut wide open, you sit down, you bleed a little bit, and it’s important to rise up and fight again,” Aranda said Monday. “(Monday at practice) was that day for us. I think so far, so good.”

BYU (4-0, 1-0) is coming off a 38-9 win at Provo, Utah, against then-No. 13 Kansas State last week. The victory was the largest for the Cougars over a top-15 team since a 26-6 win over No. 14 Arizona State in the 1998 season.

BYU’s Kalani Sitake is at least 4-0 for the third time since he became the Cougars’ head coach in 2016. The Cougars started 4-0 under Sitake in 2020 and 2021.

“I think we showed that we can play,” Sitake said of the big win over Kansas State. “The question was, ‘What kind of team is this?’ I think there are a lot of unknowns. Maybe people know a little bit more now.

“We aren’t going to surprise anyone anymore, so we need to get ready for this next game against Baylor, keep working and being humble. That’s going to be our key.”

Sitake said reserve Sione I. Moa, a former preferred walk-on, also must stay humble after the running back gained 76 yards on 15 carries against Kansas State.

Starting running back LJ Martin, who did not play last week because of an ankle injury, will not suit up against Baylor. Second-string running back Hinckley Ropati is doubtful because of a knee injury he suffered at SMU on Sept. 6.

“He’s a great player, and we’re excited about what he’s doing,” Sitake said of Moa. “He’s got some improvement to make. That’s what we’re going to focus on.”

Sitake then told the media on Monday, “Stop blowing his head up. We’ve got to keep him humble and keep him hungry.”

Aranda said of his team coming off the loss to Colorado: “I feel the overall sense of urgency to get it right. We’ve got a great opponent in BYU, looking ahead, to really challenge us and bring out the best in us.”

One positive for Baylor from the Colorado game is Sanders was sacked eight times, the Bears’ most since tallying 10 in the Sugar Bowl victory over Ole Miss in the 2021 season.

Baylor senior linebacker Matt Jones ended with 10 total tackles Saturday, with a career-high nine solo — his third consecutive double-digit tackle game.

This Saturday’s game is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Central time, 10 a.m. Mountain time (where BYU is located). Last season, BYU was 0-5 in games that started in the morning or early afternoon before 1:30 p.m. local time.

Sitake said he would not change BYU’s practice time to match the start of Saturday’s game.

“We’ve already got our classes in the morning; we’re an afternoon practice team,” he said. “We’ll adjust a couple of other things, meeting times, things like that. But we’ve been in this situation before.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) before the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Baylor’s No. 1 pass defense to test Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baylor’s top-ranked passing defense will try to slow down a potent Colorado aerial attack in Saturday’s Big 12 Conference opener for both teams in Boulder, Colo.

Baylor coach Dave Aranda assumed defensive play calls this season and the Bears (2-1) have allowed just 75.7 passing yards per game.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 999 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s been sacked seven times.

Travis Hunter is a do-everything star for the Buffaloes (2-1). As a receiver, he has a team-high 30 receptions for 342 yards and five scores. On defense, he’s a shutdown corner with 11 tackles and an interception.

“I have a lot of respect offensively for what they do,” Aranda said. “Their quarterback makes some really hard throws. If he knows what you’re in, the throws are out before the turns are made and before the coverage has a chance to work a leverage or any of that. Once he knows, it’s bad for the defense. And then, I think the skill is such that you can only double cover so many people.”

In a 31-3 home win against Air Force last week, Sawyer Robertson started at quarterback for Baylor in place of an injured Dequan Finn and completed 18 of 24 passes for 248 yards with a rushing touchdown.

Aranda said he “hoped to have an idea” of this week’s starter prior to Saturday.

“We’re going with, right now, day-to-day,” Aranda said of Finn’s status. “Dequan is out of the sling, so we had practice (Monday) morning and he was able to move around better. There are limitations on what we can do per day, but I think we’re in a good spot.”

After struggling to establish a rushing attack in its first two games, Colorado racked up a season-high 116 yards on the ground in last week’s 28-9 win against rival Colorado State.

“When we are more physical and able to understand our basic fundamentals, we are able to run the ball more effectively,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said. “We want to run the ball effectively and stop the run. We don’t know which quarterback they’ll feature but are preparing for both of them. Baylor is physical and strong and they don’t make a lot of self-inflicted mistakes.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Dequan Finn (7) scrambles with the ball against the Tarleton State Texans during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Baylor, Air Force looking to open up their offenses

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When Baylor hosts Air Force on Saturday night in Waco, Texas, both teams will be on a mission to invigorate anemic offenses.

Last weekend, the Bears (1-1) and the Falcons (1-1) lost and scored just one touchdown each.

In its 23-12 loss at then-No. 11 Utah, Baylor gained 223 yards. While falling behind 23-0 in the first half, the Bears appeared ill-suited to compete with a ranked Big 12 foe.

Dequan Finn finished with nine completions in 21 attempts for 115 yards and one touchdown.

“Early in the game, it was too big for everybody,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. “I was at fault for that. I think I made it more about things other than the opponent right in front of you and I think that affected Dequan, too.”

The key play as Utah built its lead came when Finn fumbled as he was sacked, giving the Utes the ball at the Bears 3. Utah scored on the ensuing play to double its advantage to 14-0 before the game was seven minutes old.

It was an unsettling loss for Baylor, which has been in a downward spiral since Aranda guided the Bears to the Big 12 title in 2021. Baylor went 6-7 in 2022 and 3-9 last year.

Meanwhile Air Force tallied just 197 yards in a 17-7 Mountain West Conference loss at home to San Jose State as its traditionally potent rushing attack produced 3.1 yards per attempt.

The Falcons’ lone touchdown drive covered just 14 yards and came after an interception in the first quarter by Jerome Gaillard Jr.

Cade Harris led Air Force with 50 yards on eight carries, while John Busha completed only 7 of 20 passes for 54 yards with two interceptions.

“I know we got a tough one … going down to Baylor,” Falcons coach Troy Calhoun said. “We really, really got to work on Air Force.”

Air Force and Baylor have met four times, with the Falcons’ lone victory coming in the 2022 Armed Forces Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda on the sidelines during the second half against the Texas State Bobcats at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Dave Aranda to return as Baylor coach

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Despite a pair of disappointing seasons, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda is expected to return next season, ESPN reported Sunday.

Baylor was just 3-9 this season while relying on a number of underclassmen. Since winning a school-record 12 games in 2021 and coming out on top in the Sugar Bowl, the Bears have gone a combined 9-16 over the past two seasons.

According to the report, the coaching staff under Aranda is expected to undergo significant changes.

The Bears reportedly leaned on more freshmen than any other team in the Big 12, using 24 true or redshirt freshmen.

Aranda, who was a highly regarded defensive coordinator at LSU before arriving at Baylor, started his tenure at Waco, Texas, with a 2-7 record in 2020.

Baylor turned that around, posting a 12-2 mark in 2021 that included a Big 12 championship and a 21-7 victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl to finish the season with a No. 5 ranking in the final AP poll.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Longhorns at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

TCU looks to get out of slump against skidding Baylor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

TCU looks to keep its flickering postseason aspirations alive on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Baylor in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Horned Frogs (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) were sitting pretty after seven games before a lopsided loss at Kansas State on Oct. 21 and close setbacks against Texas Tech and No. 7 Texas. Now, TCU needs to topple both the Bears (3-7, 2-5) in the newly dubbed “Bluebonnet Battle” and Oklahoma on Nov. 24 just to become bowl-eligible.

Josh Hoover threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns and Emani Bailey rushed for 98 yards and a score in the Horned Frogs’ 29-26 setback to the Longhorns last Saturday.

Starting linebacker Johnny Hodges re-injured his hand vs. the Red Raiders after initially sustaining the injury against Houston on Sept. 16.

“Johnny will be done for the season, unfortunately. I hate that for him,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said on Tuesday. “He tried to come back quickly and it just didn’t work out. Johnny is one of those kids that loves his teammates, loves his team, he loves playing football, and I know how disappointed he is to not be able to play the rest of the season.”

Sadly, Hodges isn’t alone. Dykes noted wideouts Dylan Wright (lower body) and Warren Thompson (undisclosed) will sit out the final two games.

Like TCU, Baylor enters Saturday’s clash on a three-game skid — however, bowl eligibility is not in play for the Bears. Baylor followed up setbacks to Iowa State and Houston by being on the business end of a 59-25 drubbing from Kansas State last Saturday.

Blake Shapen threw for a career-high four touchdowns — two to Dawson Pendergrass — in the loss to the Wildcats.

Baylor coach Dave Aranda is aware that the Horned Frogs play with a quicker tempo, and that in itself is going to present challenges for his club.

“We’re going into the world of tempo, so we have to be better,” Aranda said. “We’ve got to get it to where we’re lined up, our cleats are in the grass, where we’re in position to execute and play in all of it.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Blake Shapen (12) is sacked by Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Cody Stufflebean (47) during the second quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

No. 25 Kansas State makes statement in rout of Baylor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Will Howard threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as No. 25 Kansas State defeated Baylor 59-25 on Saturday afternoon in Manhattan, Kan.

Kansas State (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) added touchdowns on a fumble return and in interception in the rout while rebounding from a heartbreaking defeat at Texas last week.

Howard was 19-of-29 passing for 235 yards, while moving past Josh Freeman for the most career touchdown passes in K-State history with 45. It was the fifth time this season that Howard threw for at least three touchdowns, tying Freeman for the Wildcats’ single-season record.

Blake Shapen was 22-of-45 passing for 253 yards and four touchdowns for Baylor (3-7, 2-5 Big 12).

Kansas State remained undefeated at home (6-0), scoring at least 40 points in all six games.

The Wildcats added a 33-yard field goal from Chris Tennant to extend their lead to 38-13 early in the third quarter.

Baylor used a trick play on its next drive. After a pair of laterals, Shapen hit Drake Dabney, who eluded the K-State defense to go 63 yards for the score. The two-point conversion pass failed to keep the Wildcats up 38-19.

Kansas State’s Treshaun Ward had a 4-yard touchdown run late in the third to cap a nine-play, 73-yard drive and open a 45-19 lead. The Wildcats; Keenan Garber then had an interception for a TD after he stepped in front of a Shapen pass and returned it 45 yards.

Kansas State’s Avery Johnson found Garrett Oakley for a 28-yard touchdown to bring the score to 59-19. Baylor’s Shapen hit Monaray Baldwin on a 6-yard TD to cap the scoring.

Kansas State wasted no time seizing control of the game. The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and marched 81 yards on 12 plays. Howard found DJ Giddens in the flat and he rumbled into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown less than five minutes into the game.

Baylor responded with a five-play, 72-yard scoring drive. Shapen hit Dawson Pendergrass on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

On the next drive, Howard found Ben Sinnott alone in the end zone for a 14-yard score to give the Wildcats the lead for good at 14-7 with just under six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcats’ Cody Stufflebean sacked Shapen on the next series, forcing a fumble. It was picked up by Desmond Purnell at the Baylor 15 yard-line and he raced untouched into the end zone for a 21-7 lead.

–Field Level Media