Story Poster
Photo by Marshal Tompkins
Baylor Football

Bears Falter in Season Opener to Texas State, Lose 42-31

September 2, 2023
9,812

WACO, Texas – The 2023 season started off with a whimper for the Dave Aranda-led Baylor Bears. 

Texas State (1-0) upset Baylor (0-1), 42-31, and made the Bears defense look silly Saturday night at McLane Stadium. GJ Kinne’s high-flying Bobcat offense totaled 441 yards and found the endzone on six of their 12 possessions.

“It’s not acceptable,” Aranda said after the game. “I take responsibility for it whether it was the wide eyes or lack of details, things that I take a lot of pride in; I was counting on those things being done and to come and see that they are not is painful. We’ll get better from it.”

Marshal Tompkins
Shapen threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.

Trailing 35-21 midway through the third quarter, transfer quarterback Sawyer Robertson (RSo.) entered the contest for an injured Blake Shapen (RJr.).

Robertson attempted to inject life into the offense, but ultimately, the BU defense couldn’t devise multiple timely stops.

A hobbled Shapen reentered the contest in the fourth quarter and led the Bears the length of the field to shorten the Texas State lead to 42-31. 

Robertson was back under center for the following drive, but an interception in the endzone off the hands of wide receiver Monaray Baldwin (Jr.) sealed the Bobcats upset.

“I thought the guys gave a lot,” Aranda said. “We, myself, have to do a better job of getting the details right and getting [the players] in a position to make more plays for us.”

Midway through the first quarter, defensive lineman Trey Wilson (Fr.) recovered a fumble at the Texas State 36-yard line. But back-to-back false starts derailed Baylor’s momentum, and Hankins was forced to convert a 53-yard field goal.

Marshal Tompkins
Baylor’s ground game totaled just 108 yards on Saturday.

Baylor’s lone first-half touchdown came in the second quarter on a nine-yard scramble from Shapen on third and goal. The Bears trailed 28-13 going into the break.

Shapen connected with Drake Dabney (Sr.) for a 53-yard touchdown to start the third quarter. Dabney was Baylor’s leading receiver Saturday with six catches for 101 yards.

Texas State’s quarterback, TJ Finley, scorched the young Baylor secondary with 298 yards and three touchdowns through the air on 22-of-30 passing.

“I still believe in this team and the guys that we have,” Dabney said. “I think we can definitely bounce back and learn from it. The good thing is we have a big opportunity next week to make up for it.”

Aranda and the Bears will go back to the drawing board before welcoming No. 14 Utah (1-0) to McLane Stadium next weekend. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.

Passing

Name CMP ATT YDS CMP% AVG LNG TD INT RTG

Blake Shapen

Sawyer Robertson

21

6

31

12

304

113

68

50

14.5

18.8

53

33

2

0

0

1

171

112

Rushing

Name CAR YDS AVG LNG TD
Richard Reese 7 13 1.9 12 0
Dominic Richardson 16 80 4.7 32 0
Bryson Washington 0 0 0 0 0

Receiving

Name REC YDS AVG LNG TD
Drake Dabney 6 101 16.8 53 2
Jonah Burton 5 88 17.6 27 0
 Hal Presley 4 83 20.8 40 0

Defense

Name TKL SKS TFL INT FR
Mike Smith 5 0 1 0 0
Matt Jones 5 0 0 0 0
Tevin Williams 5 0 .5 0 0

Kicking/Punting

Name XPM XPA FGM FGA FG% P AVG I20 LNG
Isaiah Hankins 2 2 3 4 75% N/A N/A N/A 53
Palmer Williams N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2 81 0 40.5

 

Discussion from...

Bears Falter in Season Opener to Texas State, Lose 42-31

7,311 Views | 10 Replies | Last: 7 mo ago by CizzLark
Bearwhiz
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:08p, 9/2/23
Pathetic showing. Woof that defense
Reply Quote
4
Fre3dombear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:15p, 9/2/23
Richard Reese a no show. Maybe all the OL. Dunno

TE as leading receiver.

Of course D lost the game but this offense won't get it done vs any real team
Reply Quote
5
hssports
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:11a, 9/3/23
It's disappointing to hear that the Bears didn't get off to a strong start in their season opener against Texas State, especially with a 42-31 loss. Season openers can be challenging, as teams are still finding their rhythm and adjusting to new dynamics. However, it's important to remember that one game doesn't define an entire season.
The Bears now have an opportunity to learn from this experience, identify areas for improvement, and work on their weaknesses. It's a long season, and setbacks like this can serve as valuable lessons for the team's growth and development. Fans should continue to support their team and remain hopeful for a better performance in the upcoming games. The resilience and determination of the Bears can be the key to turning things around as the season progresses.
Reply Quote
1
Bearwhiz
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 hssports • 1:16a, 9/3/23
hssports said:
It's disappointing to hear that the Bears didn't get off to a strong start in their season opener against Texas State, especially with a 42-31 loss. Season openers can be challenging, as teams are still finding their rhythm and adjusting to new dynamics. However, it's important to remember that one game doesn't define an entire season.
The Bears now have an opportunity to learn from this experience, identify areas for improvement, and work on their weaknesses. It's a long season, and setbacks like this can serve as valuable lessons for the team's growth and development. Fans should continue to support their team and remain hopeful for a better performance in the upcoming games. The resilience and determination of the Bears can be the key to turning things around as the season progresses.
this has to be an AI bot
Reply Quote
19
Karab
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 Bearwhiz • 5:12a, 9/3/23
Bearwhiz said:
hssports said:
It's disappointing to hear that the Bears didn't get off to a strong start in their season opener against Texas State, especially with a 42-31 loss. Season openers can be challenging, as teams are still finding their rhythm and adjusting to new dynamics. However, it's important to remember that one game doesn't define an entire season.
The Bears now have an opportunity to learn from this experience, identify areas for improvement, and work on their weaknesses. It's a long season, and setbacks like this can serve as valuable lessons for the team's growth and development. Fans should continue to support their team and remain hopeful for a better performance in the upcoming games. The resilience and determination of the Bears can be the key to turning things around as the season progresses.
this has to be an AI bot

Good catch. Yes, it is. Only two posts from that account and it talks just like ChatGPT.

Flag it as spam.
Reply Quote
1
william
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:32a, 9/3/23
define "falter"?

you try focusing on coverages and pass blocking schemes when your noodle is all atangle with abstruse logic theorems and translation of obscure dead (slowly, over years, from communicable social diseases) German philosophers.

Not so easy, mein freres.

- KKM

So, until the reeking Masses can work advanced Symbolic Logic problems in their puny ant brains until they are second nature, this team will struggle.

As rightly they should.

The Gate is Narrow, dudes.

Mighty Narrow.

Nicht wahr?
Go Bears!
Reply Quote
2 edits
jdkingbear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:21a, 9/4/23
While watching Colorado handle TCU, I began to worry about our game against Kinne and Tx State. The situation was almost identical. Both new coaches who stole heavily from previous staff and players and both heavily shopped on the portal, and both put together teams to their liking and NO ONE had ANY film on either. Period. That plus the hype on the Frogs and Bears were more hopeful than real. And when the game began my heart began to sink. It will be interesting to see how Colorado and TX State fares in the weeks ahead. IF they do well, then we know how innovative both coaches were and how, as Ricky Thompson clearly said this past week "don't overlook State" because neither they or the Buffs were the same as past teams. We will see IF Baylor plays better against Utah OR if it will be a truly ugly 2023 for Baylor Football. Remember how we played against Liberty a few years ago and got our butts beat by a lowly considered team that was beginning a rise. Let's hope better prep, execution and talent arise this wee
jdkingbear
Reply Quote
1
jdkingbear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:22a, 9/4/23
While watching Colorado handle TCU, I began to worry about our game against Kinne and Tx State. The situation was almost identical. Both new coaches who stole heavily from previous staff and players and both heavily shopped on the portal, and both put together teams to their liking and NO ONE had ANY film on either. Period. That plus the hype on the Frogs and Bears were more hopeful than real. And when the game began my heart began to sink. It will be interesting to see how Colorado and TX State fares in the weeks ahead. IF they do well, then we know how innovative both coaches were and how, as Ricky Thompson clearly said this past week "don't overlook State" because neither they or the Buffs were the same as past teams. We will see IF Baylor plays better against Utah OR if it will be a truly ugly 2023 for Baylor Football. Remember how we played against Liberty a few years ago and got our butts beat by a lowly considered team that was beginning a rise. Let's hope better prep, execution and talent arise this week.
jdkingbear
Reply Quote
1
hssports
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:40a, 9/5/23
Disappointing Start for the Bears: Tough Loss to Texas State, 42-31
Reply Quote
CizzLark
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:43p, 9/5/23
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.