Baylor Struggles Early, Ultimately Takes Out Texas State at Home
The No. 19 Baylor Bears (2-1) were not clicking on all cylinders against Texas State (1-2), but it didn't matter. The Bobcats were overmatched, and the Bears took home a 42-7 win on the Brazos.
Surely most Baylor fans expected to keep their fingernails intact during this game, but that wasn't the case in the first half. Baylor never conceded a lead in the opening 30 minutes, but there was never a foothold.
The Bears put together a touchdown on their first possession, driving 75 yards in 13 plays and chewing 6:25 of clock. A few possessions later, the script was the same. Up 7-0, Baylor went 69 yards on nine plays to double the score early in the second quarter.
Texas State was able to drive inside the Baylor 10-yard line on its ensuing possession, but it couldn't capitalize after an incompletion on fourth and goal.
That didn't matter. The Bobcats forced a three-and-out and scored on five plays. It was 14-7, but Baylor had 1:59 left to respond. It did.
Thanks to Blake Shapen, Baylor led 21-7 at the break after compiling 130 yards on the ground and 105 through the air.
The third quarter was more gruel. Shapen threw a pick. Sqwirl Williams fumbled. Texas State saw a field goal blocked. Aside from Gavin Holmes carving the defense on a 28-yard touchdown catch, few positives happened for each team.
Nonetheless, the Bears took a 28-7 lead into the fourth quarter, and they quickly added on. The field temperature was over 100ºF, and Baylor fans yearned for a lead comfortable enough to send them home. Richard Reese provided.
Well, there are few things more demoralizing for an opposing team than a 35-7 lead that's secured on a 51-yard run by a true freshman. Texas State started the bus from there, and the Bears capitalized with a few more scores to careen to the 42-7 win.
The star of today's show was Reese, and it feels like this accurately encapsulates his day:
Couple that with holding Texas State to 82 yards on the ground, and the Bears safely finished this one off.
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