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

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.

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