Baylor opens 2019 by steamrolling SFA, 56-17
WACO, Texas — Baylor opened the 2019 season on Saturday evening with a 56-17 victory over SFA inside McLane Stadium.
Shot out of the gate: The Baylor defense came out swinging. On their first two drives, the Bears defense plugged the Lumberjacks for back to back 3-and-outs. With the first punt being blocked and the second coming off of a 13-yard return from Grayland Arnold, the Bears were set up in Lumberjack territory for their first two drives of the game. Both drives led to quick Baylor touchdowns.
Struggled: There weren’t many struggles for the Bears in this game. If I had to choose one player, I would probably say Charlie Brewer. I say this simply because he could have had a much better game against this team. He finished with 199 yards and 3 touchdowns while completing 21 of his 31 pass attempts. He did have a good amount of tremendous throws in this game and great audibles. However, Brewer slipped up with several incompletions and a few near-interceptions. He also missed a wide-open Denzel Mims in the end zone. Brewer had a great game, but I expected more out of him.
Decisive Moment: Blake Lynch’s interception at the beginning of the second quarter was the true turning point of this game. Baylor had a hot start to the game, but the Lumberjacks came back with a touchdown drive of their own to make the game 14-7. The Lumberjacks then managed to force two straight Baylor punts. With the game stalling and the momentum swinging in the Lumberjack’s favor, Blake Lynch was able to secure the turnover and swing the momentum back. From that point on, the Bears would outscore the Lumberjacks 42-10.
MVP: Trestan Ebner’s electric first half granted him the title as this game’s MVP. He picked up right where he left off in the bowl game last season, where he had 109 yards receiving and 90 yards rushing to go along with his 2 touchdowns. In this game, he had just 2 carries for a total of 32 yards that both led to touchdowns. In the air, he added 5 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. His 3 touchdowns in the first half of the game set the tone for the Bears offense to start the season.
Key stat: The longest Baylor touchdown drive lasted 3:11 before the 4th quarter.Each of Baylor’s touchdown drives (before their 11 play, 80 yard time-killing touchdown drive) were quick strikes. Before the 4th, there was no touchdown drive that went longer than 8 plays, which means that Baylor was able to score quickly and at ease. These short touchdown drives largely were set up by sensational field position granted by the defense’s work. This allowed the Bears to get ahead quickly in this game and run away with a blowout victory.
Game Notes:
- Last season, the Bears were plagued by penalties. The Bears averaged 7.8 penalties for 74.1 yards last season. In this game, the Bears did not beat themselves up with penalties, finishing with just 4 penalties for 25 yards.
- The Bears subbed out Charlie Brewer for Gerry Bohanon after the Bears took a 42-7 lead early in the 3rd quarter. Bohanon’s first drive ended with a touchdown throw to Tyquan Thornton.
- The Bears have now won their third consecutive game for the first time since they beat Kansas 49-7 in October of 2016.
Game Summary
First Quarter
11:48 BAY: TD – RB Trestan Ebner 16-yard reception: Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 1:34 — Baylor 7 – Stephen F. Austin 0
8:13 BAY: TD — WR RJ Sneed 11-yard reception: Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 1:51 — Baylor 14 – Stephen F. Austin 0
3:17 SFA: TD — QB Trae Self 3-yard run: Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:56 — Baylor 14 – Stephen F. Austin 7
Second Quarter
14:11 SFA: Turnover — LB Blake Lynch intercepts QB Trae Self, returns for 1-yard
10:53 BAY: TD — RB Trestan Ebner 21-yard run: Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:20 — Baylor 21 – Stephen F. Austin 7
6:48 BAY: TD — RB Trestan Ebner 11-yard run: Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 2:34 — Baylor 28 – Stephen F. Austin 7
2:20 BAY: TD — RB John Lovett 19-yard run: Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 3:11 — Baylor 35 – Stephen F. Austin 7
Third Quarter
13:40 BAY: TD — WR RJ Sneed 21-yard reception: Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:20 — Baylor 42 – Stephen F. Austin 7
10:07 BAY: TD — WR Tyquan Thornton 9-yard reception: Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:39 — Baylor 49 – Stephen F. Austin 7
Fourth Quarter
15:00 BAY: Turnover — RB Abram Smith fumbles, Willie Roberts recovers
11:16 SFA: FG — Storm Ruiz makes a 32-yard field goal: Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 3:37 — Baylor 49 – Stephen F. Austin 10
4:26 BAY: TD — RB Abram Smith 9-yard run: Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:50 — Baylor 56 – Stephen F. Austin 10
1:04 SFA: TD — RB Josh McGowen 1-yard run: Drive 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:22 — Baylor 56 – Stephen F. Austin 17