WACO – Baylor (2-1) rounded out its non-conference slate with a 42-7 blowout win of Samford (0-3) on Saturday afternoon at McLane Stadium.
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson (RSr.) finished with 211 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 23-of-37 passing while running back Bryson Washington (RSo.) had 135 yards and two scores. The offense looked sluggish for much of the afternoon and was 4-of-13 on third downs.
Baylor’s defense forced four turnovers, and linebacker Keaton Thomas (RJr.) led the unit with five tackles. Linebacker Kaleb Burns (Fr.) and safety Micah Gifford (Jr.) both recorded their first career interceptions.
To open the contest, the Bears forced a three-and-out and Duke transfer Placide Djungu-Sungu (RSr.) blocked a punt, setting the Bears up for an easy two-yard score from Washington a few plays later.
On the following drive, Robertson connected with wide receiver Josh Cameron (RSr.) for a 10-yard touchdown. Cameron finished with four receptions for 39 yards after going for 100-plus yards and two touchdowns last week in the win over No. 17 SMU.
The Bears looked sluggish for the rest of the first quarter and eventually allowed Samford to drive the length of the field and score on a trick play where running back CJ Evans (RSr.) found Torrey Ward (Fr.) for a 12-yard passing touchdown.
From that point forward, Baylor locked in, limiting Samford to no more points in the first half and outscoring the Bulldogs, 21-0 in the second quarter, highlighted by rushing touchdowns from Washington and running back Caden Knighten (Fr.).
Baylor led 35-7 going into the halftime locker room.
Offensively, the Bears were putrid in the third quarter and were forced to punt three times, plus Robertson threw an interception — his second of the day.
Robertson connected with Louis Brown IV (Sr.) for an 11-yard touchdown to extend Baylor’s lead to 42-7.
Backup quarterback Nate Bennett (RFr.) led the Bears for two drives but couldn’t come up with points in either one.
Baylor’s defense held Samford to no points in the second half.
The Bears (2-1) will open Big 12 play next week at home against the reigning conference champions, Arizona State (1-1), at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at McLane Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on FOX.
