Baylor Football

Game Thread: Baylor Looks to Upset Arizona State in Tempe

Bears face Sun Devils.
By SicEm365 Staff
October 2, 2026
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SICEM365 GAME THREAD

Baylor at Arizona State

First True Road Game • Big 12 Night Game
Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 9:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Mountain America Stadium • Tempe, AZ
Records Baylor 3-1 (1-0 Big 12) | Arizona State 2-1 (1-0 Big 12)
Coaches Dave Aranda (Year 7) vs. Kenny Dillingham (Year 4)
Kickoff 9:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. MT / 10:30 p.m. ET
TV ESPN — Roy Philpott, Brock Osweiler, Sherree Burruss
Radio John Morris, Geff Gandy, Bryson Jackson • KRZI 1660 AM / 92.3 FM
Stream ESPN / ESPN app • BaylorBears.com radio
Series Arizona State leads 2-0
Last meeting Arizona State 27, Baylor 24 (Waco, Sept. 20, 2025) • Gomez 43-yard FG as time expired
Last game Baylor 23, Colorado 13 (Sept. 26)
Line Arizona State -3.5 • O/U 49.5 • as of Oct. 2

Why This Game Matters

  • First true road game of 2026 (Auburn was a neutral site in Atlanta)
  • Night game in Tempe after ASU’s bye; Sun Devils opened league play with a 24-17 win over Kansas in London
  • Baylor has held all four opponents under 20 points, the longest such streak since 2005
  • DJ Lagway is a week removed from a rusty return: 19-of-39, 221 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT vs. Colorado
  • Initial injury report is clean — no Bears listed doubtful or questionable

Series History

  • Arizona State leads 2-0
  • 1990 in Tempe: ASU 34, Baylor 13 — Baylor’s only previous trip to Tempe
  • 2025 in Waco: ASU 27, Baylor 24 on Jesus Gomez’s 43-yard field goal as time expired
  • ASU this year: W vs. Morgan State, L 48-20 at Texas A&M, bye, W 24-17 vs. Kansas (London)

Keys for Baylor

  1. Survive the environment. Aranda called it loud and electric at night. First conference home night game for a lot of this ASU roster.
  2. Get Lagway on schedule. Efficiency has to jump from the Colorado line. 
  3. Win up front. The ASU offensive line is still searching. ASU’s Cutter Boley (736 yards, 9 TD) is the guy to pressure.
  4. Keep the scoring defense intact. Plenty of bend but don’t break for Baylor in 2026. ASU is built to drive on offense. Be better. 
  5. Finish drives. 23 points against Colorado will not be enough if the Sun Devils get their home offense going. Don’t leave points on the field. 

Players to Watch

Baylor: QB DJ Lagway • RB Dawson Pendergrass • WR Gavin Freeman, Jayden McGowan, Dre'lon Miller • OL Koltin Sieracki • LB Travion Barnes • S Bo Onu, Micah Gifford • DL Hosea Wheeler, Traevon Mitchell

Arizona State: QB Cutter Boley • RB Kyson Brown • WR Reed Harris • K Jesus Gomez • HC Kenny Dillingham

SicEm365 Arizona State week reading

SICEM365
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Dave Aranda Game Thread Kenny Dillingham Baylor-Arizona State Baylor at Arizona State Football Arizona State Baylor 2026
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Discussion from...

Game Thread: Baylor Looks to Upset Arizona State in Tempe

61,887 Views | 693 Replies | Last: 1 day ago by boognish_bear
BUGWBBear
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In reply to Stefano DiMera • 12:57a, 10/4/26
CDA has little to do with our record if it gets that high. We know who's responsible.
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JXL
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12:57a, 10/4/26
I'd rather go for it there, with all scrub receivers, let one of them try to get a TD
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Mitch Henessey
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In reply to BUGWBBear • 12:58a, 10/4/26
BUGWBBear said:
CDA has little to do with our record if it gets that high. We know who's responsible.
It's you and your witty insights. Take a bow, sweetheart.
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TinFoilHatPreacherBear
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12:58a, 10/4/26
When's the last time we had receivers that all look like they've got sticky hands. Really good show by them.
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historian
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12:58a, 10/4/26
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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PaperBear89
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In reply to BUGWBBear • 1:01a, 10/4/26
BUGWBBear said:
I'm referring to letting them work with a competent HC

And I'm saying Spav could be game for that, but Klandeman might want to take the next step and be a head coach somewhere...even Baylor. But as another one posted, if we really are as good as we seem tonight and get 9+ wins (which would make our coordinators hot commodities), you really can't fire an HC, unless you're Ohio State or Texas.
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BusyTarpDuster2017
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1:01a, 10/4/26
Kinda wish Baylor could ride this momentum and play next week. The bye week might cool them off.
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historian
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1:01a, 10/4/26
I like the shot of Baylor fans. I decent sized crowd!
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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historian
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1:02a, 10/4/26
When was the last time anyone described Baylor football as a "buzz saw"?

I remember MBB being described as such in 2021 with the dominant win over Gonzaga for the natty. I don't remember any football wins with that label, not even big win over Texas, OU, or anyone else when our offense was on fire for five years.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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TinFoilHatPreacherBear
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In reply to historian • 1:04a, 10/4/26
historian said:
When was the last time anyone described Baylor football as a "buzz saw"?


Right, that was nice to hear. Really hope it's something we hear all year.
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Karab
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In reply to PaperBear89 • 1:04a, 10/4/26
PaperBear89 said:
BUGWBBear said:
I'm referring to letting them work with a competent HC

And I'm saying Spav could be game for that, but Klandeman might want to take the next step and be a head coach somewhere...even Baylor. But as another one posted, if we really are as good as we seem tonight and get 9+ wins (which would make our coordinators hot commodities), you really can't fire an HC, unless you're Ohio State or Texas.

He could always "resign"
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historian
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In reply to TinFoilHatPreacherBear • 1:05a, 10/4/26
Agreed, especially in 2 weeks. I would like to see a comparable effort over the Frogs.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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KIA
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In reply to BUGWBBear • 1:05a, 10/4/26
BUGWBBear said:
CDA has little to do with our record if it gets that high. We know who's responsible.

Jesus? Trump? Michael Haithcock?

Who would be responsible?


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numa
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In reply to historian • 1:07a, 10/4/26
Russell athletic bowl, 2015.
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Guitarbiscuit
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1:07a, 10/4/26
I wonder if we'll get a couple votes in either the AP poll or coaches poll, particularly due to the lopsided score. Wouldn't be surprised if someone throws us a bone.
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PaperBear89
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In reply to Karab • 1:08a, 10/4/26
Karab said:
PaperBear89 said:
BUGWBBear said:
I'm referring to letting them work with a competent HC

And I'm saying Spav could be game for that, but Klandeman might want to take the next step and be a head coach somewhere...even Baylor. But as another one posted, if we really are as good as we seem tonight and get 9+ wins (which would make our coordinators hot commodities), you really can't fire an HC, unless you're Ohio State or Texas.

He could always "resign"

Or be "reassigned" like when UT had like 3 former coaches with random made up jobs and offices on Belmont Hall.
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Dia del DougO
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1:08a, 10/4/26

DJ was money tonight.

Lots of love spread around, big plays by a bunch of different guys.

Seven different Baylor players scored TDs, four TD catches, 3 runs.

Bend but don't break defense, gave up a decent amount of yards, but kept them out of the end zone.

First downs and passing stats very similar, as well as time of possession. Baylor finished drives and stopped theirs.

D got three turnovers, to none for Baylor, yuge.

Only three total penalties in the game as of the 2 minute TO.

Oops, one more by Baylor late!

D was very disruptive, Klandy dialing up some pressure, making plays.

Great momentum going into Bye.



"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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Bearlysurviving
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1:11a, 10/4/26
Just a great win tonight. This is the Baylor I love to see. Shows us what our horizons can be.

Tomorrow we can nitpick to no end but tonight, we absolutely dominated ASU on the road.
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historian
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1:12a, 10/4/26
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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Guitarbiscuit
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In reply to Bearlysurviving • 1:12a, 10/4/26
Bearlysurviving said:
Just a great win tonight. This is the Baylor I love to see. Shows us what our horizons can be.

Tomorrow we can nitpick to no end but tonight, we absolutely dominated ASU on the road.


No real nitpicking to do on this game.
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bear2be2
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1:12a, 10/4/26
That was damn fun.

I wonder if danieljackson survived the night.
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Bearsalwayswin
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In reply to bear2be2 • 1:12a, 10/4/26
literally
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JTM
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1:13a, 10/4/26
Are we going to be ranked next week?
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historian
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In reply to numa • 1:13a, 10/4/26
numa said:
Russell athletic bowl, 2015.

I do remember that great one. I do not remember that phrase used. It certainly applied.

If I'm not mistaken, it still holds the record for most rushing yards in a bowl game (645).
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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BusyTarpDuster2017
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In reply to Guitarbiscuit • 1:17a, 10/4/26
Guitarbiscuit said:
I wonder if we'll get a couple votes in either the AP poll or coaches poll, particularly due to the lopsided score. Wouldn't be surprised if someone throws us a bone.

If Auburn had beaten Tennessee, I think it would have been definite. We probably would have even been ranked.
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Bearlysurviving
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In reply to Guitarbiscuit • 1:18a, 10/4/26
I agree! Can't ask for much more in my opinion. Made ASU look like a G6 team while on the road.
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Guitarbiscuit
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In reply to bear2be2 • 1:21a, 10/4/26
bear2be2 said:
That was damn fun.

I wonder if danieljackson survived the night.


I'm sure he'll lick his wounds and come out guns a blazin around mid afternoon Sunday.

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BearlyBeloved
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1:22a, 10/4/26
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.

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Guitarbiscuit
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In reply to JTM • 1:22a, 10/4/26
JTM said:
Are we going to be ranked next week?


CBS Sports had us at 50 before the game. So I don't think so. I do wonder if we get a vote or 2.
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Guitarbiscuit
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In reply to BearlyBeloved • 1:25a, 10/4/26
BearlyBeloved said:
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.



I loved the win tonight. But I'm not ready to stop complaining about CDA just yet.
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historian
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In reply to BusyTarpDuster2017 • 1:42a, 10/4/26
BusyTarpDuster2017 said:
Kinda wish Baylor could ride this momentum and play next week. The bye week might cool them off.

Or it might give Lagway time to work out some issues and improve and feel more comfortable running after the injury. That rushing TD might have helped.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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historian
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In reply to BearlyBeloved • 1:45a, 10/4/26
Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.
Sums it up pretty well
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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bear2be2
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In reply to Guitarbiscuit • 2:10a, 10/4/26
Guitarbiscuit said:
BearlyBeloved said:
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.


I loved the win tonight. But I'm not ready to stop complaining about CDA just yet.

The TCU game is the next huge one. If we win that one at home, people will have no choice but to get excited about this season and rally around this team.

The importance of tonight's win really can't be overstated. It's just like the Tech win in 2024, which completely changed the trajectory of that season. We have a chance now to go on a serious run. The only difference -- and it's a huge one -- is that we haven't already dug ourselves a hole the way we did in 2024.

We can actually do some pretty special things if we continue to improve and win games. But we got to win the TCU game out of the bye week or this balloon loses its air quickly.
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historian
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2:10a, 10/4/26






“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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william
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5:56a, 10/4/26
Go Bears!
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