Baylor Football

Game Thread: Baylor Battles Louisiana Tech Before Big 12 Play Begins

Game thread ahead of Baylor versus Louisiana Tech.
By SicEm365 Staff
September 18, 2026
74k Views
459 Comments
Story Poster
SICEM365 GAME THREAD

Baylor vs. Louisiana Tech

Non-Conference Finale • Family Weekend
Saturday, September 19, 2026 • 3:00 p.m. CT • ESPNU
McLane Stadium • Waco, TX • Home
Records Baylor 1-1 (0-0 Big 12) | Louisiana Tech 1-1 (0-0 Sun Belt)
Coaches Dave Aranda (Year 7) vs. Sonny Cumbie (Year 5)
Kickoff 3:00 p.m. CT / 4:00 p.m. ET
TV ESPNU
Radio John Morris, Geff Gandy, Bryson Jackson • KRZI 1660 AM / 92.3 FM
Stream ESPNU / ESPN app • BaylorBears.com radio
Series Baylor leads 5-1 • 3-1 in Waco
Last meeting Baylor 24, Louisiana Tech 16 (Shreveport, Sept. 7, 1996)
Last game Baylor 44, Prairie View A&M 3 (Sept. 12)
Line Baylor -19.5 • O/U 51.5 • as of Sept. 17

Why This Game Matters

  • Final non-conference game before Colorado opens Big 12 play next week
  • Family Weekend at McLane; Baylor Backyard Live with Members Only
  • Both starting QBs are out: DJ Lagway (ankle) and Blake Baker (hand)
  • Nate Bennett makes his second start after 314 yards and 4 TDs vs. PVAMU
  • Need to clean up 9 penalties and 3 turnovers from last Saturday

Series History

  • Baylor leads 5-1 all-time; last meeting was 1996 in Shreveport (24-16 BU)
  • Tech’s only win: 10-9 at Floyd Casey in 1992
  • Tech this year: W 80-6 vs. Northwestern State, L 45-14 at No. 8 LSU
  • Tech trailed LSU just 10-7 at half after four first-half takeaways

Keys for Baylor

  1. Protect the ball. Tech is +2 in turnover margin and picked Sam Leavitt three times.
  2. Cut the flags. Aranda: “Right now, it’s too easy to beat us, with the penalties and the turnovers.”
  3. Start fast. Tech hung around into the third quarter at LSU. Do not wait for a punch.
  4. Win the line without Tezino. Season-ending leg injury last week. Mitchell’s injunction keeps him available.
  5. Let Bennett play on schedule. Run Pendergrass, take the easy throws, avoid the two-pick repeat.

Players to Watch

Baylor: QB Nate Bennett • RB Dawson Pendergrass • WR Gavin Freeman, Louis Brown IV, Dre'lon Miller • DE Kyler Jordan • DL Hosea Wheeler, Traevon Mitchell • LB Travion Barnes

Louisiana Tech: QB Trey Kukuk (start with Baker out) • WR Jalen Mickens • DB Jordan McRae (100-yard INT return vs. LSU) • a DL/LB group Aranda called talented and takeaway-heavy

SicEm365 Louisiana Tech week reading

SICEM365
459 Comments
Tags
Game Thread Baylor-La Tech Baylor vs. Louisiana Tech Football Baylor Louisiana Tech 2026
More Football
See All →
List of Visitors for Baylor's Conference-Opener Against Colorado
By Grayson Grundhoefer
Game Thread: Baylor Football Opens Conference Play in Waco against Colorado
By SicEm365 Staff
Behind Enemy Lines: Colorado’s Strengths, Weaknesses and Outlook Entering Baylor Matchup
By SicEm365 Staff
Saved for a Purpose: Dallas Baker’s Journey from Darkness Back to the Sidelines
By Levi Caraway
Discussion from...

Game Thread: Baylor Battles Louisiana Tech Before Big 12 Play Begins

32,766 Views | 459 Replies | Last: 5 days ago by FLBear5630
boognish_bear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:59p, 9/19/26
Good open field tackle
Reply Quote
Quinton
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to boognish_bear • 4:59p, 9/19/26
boognish_bear said:
UK 21 Ags 7

Close it out Cats


They're getting mauled now
Reply Quote
1
Team America
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:59p, 9/19/26
28-7 UK over the Aggies!!!
Reply Quote
4
BearlyBeloved
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Team America • 5:00p, 9/19/26
Team America said:
28-7 UK over the Aggies!!!


Bring Back Jimbo!
Reply Quote
1
FLBear5630
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 5:01p, 9/19/26
bear2be2 said:
boognish_bear said:
FSU 14
Bama 3

End of Q1

College football in 2026 is drunk


You got it. FSU is like Baylor, Norvell haters they are pissed. They are rooting for Bama. Norvell hate makes Aranda look like a faorize son.
Reply Quote
FLBear5630
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BearlyBeloved • 5:01p, 9/19/26
BearlyBeloved said:
Team America said:
28-7 UK over the Aggies!!!


Bring Back Jimbo!


FSU is calling for him too.
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:03p, 9/19/26
This defense is legitimately very good. That's the only thing that has me feeling pretty good about our chances in the Big 12.
Reply Quote
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:03p, 9/19/26
Great stand D!
Reply Quote
1
Grumpy
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:04p, 9/19/26
The announcers are ridiculous.
Reply Quote
1
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 5:04p, 9/19/26
Big12Fan2024 said:
Great stand D!

They've been put in one bad situation after another and haven't flinched a bit.

This D is legit.
Reply Quote
2
FLBear5630
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 5:04p, 9/19/26
bear2be2 said:
This defense is legitimately very good. That's the only thing that has me feeling pretty good about our chances in the Big 12.


A positive comment? Who is this and whst have you done with bear2bear???? : )
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:05p, 9/19/26
That's more like it. Just keep beating them over the top until they loosen up their D.
Reply Quote
1
historian
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:05p, 9/19/26
McGowan!!!
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:05p, 9/19/26
Dang Bennett. We see you!

McGowan is great add.
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
BearlyBeloved
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Grumpy • 5:05p, 9/19/26
Grumpy said:
The announcers are ridiculous.


Blinded by the yellow and pink.
Reply Quote
1
canoso
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Team America • 5:06p, 9/19/26
Team America said:
28-7 UK over the Aggies!!!
Pour it on, Kentucky!
Reply Quote
1
JXL
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:06p, 9/19/26
Another nice deep throw and a good catch too
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:06p, 9/19/26
Why the **** are we going for two there?

I think Dave Aranda is an AI bot. And like not an advanced one either. Like a first-gen, can't eat spaghetti or form fingers bot.
Reply Quote
4
JXL
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:07p, 9/19/26
That was a … unique play call on that conversion try
Reply Quote
1
historian
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 5:08p, 9/19/26
Because of the blocked PaT. Teams do it often
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
Reply Quote
Reverend
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:08p, 9/19/26
Absolutely mind numbing to go for 2 there.
Reply Quote
4
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to historian • 5:09p, 9/19/26
historian said:
Because of the blocked PaT. Teams do it often

You're up three scores. Kick the PAT.

There's no reason to give them any momentum at all right there.
Reply Quote
4
True Grit
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 5:10p, 9/19/26
DA tells us his secret every game… the book says so.
Reply Quote
2
PLSQL_BEAR
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 5:10p, 9/19/26
bear2be2 said:
Why the **** are we going for two there?

I think Dave Aranda is an AI bot. And like not an advanced one either. Like a first-gen, can't eat spaghetti or form fingers bot.


Dave at the press conference: "Well, we wanted to give the offense a chance to try a 2 point conversion when we didn't need it to win. Plus, I SAW THE VELVETEEN RABBIT HOP TWICE IN THE SUN LIGHT. Sorry, what was the question?"
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:10p, 9/19/26
You in the stadium shade now, whitetrash?
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:10p, 9/19/26
In this game, none of the idiotic **** we're doing will matter. But the fact that we're still doing the same idiotic **** after the last four years is really damn frustrating.
Reply Quote
2
Reverend
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:11p, 9/19/26
Wrong Historian. Not with the current score. It's ridiculous.
Reply Quote
1
historian
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Reverend • 5:13p, 9/19/26
I'm saying why the decision was made. I make no evaluation of it. Personally, I do t really care. It does not matter one way or the other.

Both attempts were rather sloppy. I would feel better about the decision if one had worked.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
Reply Quote
1 edit
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:13p, 9/19/26
I know I sound negative. And I'm happy with a dominant win. There have been a lot of positives today. But I'm just so tired of wacky, unnecessary nonsense every game.
Reply Quote
5
1 edit
Dia del DougO
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to True Grit • 5:14p, 9/19/26
True Grit said:
DA tells us his secret every game… the book says so.

It's a shame there isn't a Dr. Seuss version of "the book" to make these decisions seem more logical.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
Reply Quote
whitetrash
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 5:15p, 9/19/26
Big12Fan2024 said:
You in the stadium shade now, whitetrash?


I have been since about 2:30. Which means next week I'll have none. It's not unpleasant on the west side, but I will note there appear to be fewer than 1,000 left on the east side (other than the LaTech band).
Reply Quote
1
Reverend
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:16p, 9/19/26
NO ONE, except Dave, goes for 2 in that situation.
Reply Quote
2
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:19p, 9/19/26
Another O lineman down.
Reply Quote
Guitarbiscuit
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:19p, 9/19/26
If we win, it's despite Aranda. If we lose, it's because of Aranda.
Reply Quote
Dia del DougO
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:20p, 9/19/26
Not good vision there by Bennett. You gotta feel footsteps when you stop and look that long.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
Reply Quote
2
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.