Bears Start Hot, Open Season with 45-3 Victory over Tarleton

WACO, Texas – Baylor football (1-0) took care of business, 45-3, in its season opener against Tarleton (1-1) on Saturday night at McLane Stadium.

In his first game in the Green and Gold, Toledo transfer quarterback Dequan Finn (6Sr.) totaled three touchdowns with 192 yards through the air but also threw two interceptions.

Defensively, the Bears dominated the Texans, limiting Tarleton’s offense to just 181 yards in the contest. Linebacker Matt Jones (6Sr.) led the defense with seven tackles, while junior college transfer linebacker Keaton Thomas (RSo.) returned a pick-six in the first half.

“The game was a testament to all of the work, the care factor and the sacrifices [we’ve made],” head coach Dave Aranda said after the game. “A lot of positives to take away but a lot to work on, especially for our next opponent. It’s a good first step.”

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Quarterback Dequan Finn (6Sr.) totaled three touchdowns with 192 yards through the air but also threw two interceptions.

Finn showed off his legs on the opening drive and was off to the races with a 39-yard quarterback-keeper rushing touchdown to give the Bears an early 7-0 lead.

“[Finn’s ability to run] opens up the offense,” running back Richard Reese (Jr.) said after the game. “The defense has to watch for both of us. Everyone on the offense has speed. [Finn’s running ability] is huge.”

Later in the quarter, Texas State transfer wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins (5Sr.) showed off his own skills, hauling in a 32-yard pass from Finn, juking a defender and diving into the pylon for a touchdown.

“To have a lot of our transfers come in, and under bright lights, go out and make plays and consistently make plays and bring a swagger to the team, that was cool to see because it’s been like that in practice,” Aranda said.

On the other side of the ball, the Bears dominated Tarleton in the first half, limiting the Texans to no points and 58 total yards on offense. Defensive linemen Garmon Randolph (6Sr.) and Treven Ma’ae (RSr.) each picked up tackles for loss.

Thomas got into the action, returning a 35-yard pick-six off Tarleton’s quarterback, Jaden Pete (Jr.), to extend Baylor’s lead to 21-0 midway through the first quarter.

“The thing I’m most proud of was, outside of the start of the third quarter, I thought the guys wanted to hunt,” Aranda said. “On the sidelines, the focus was the best that it's been in a while.”

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Wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins (5Sr.) had two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.

In the second quarter, the Bears attempted to pound the rock with a slow, methodical drive that ended with running back Dawson Pendergrass (So.) finding the endzone on fourth and goal from one yard out.

Baylor took a 28-0 lead going into the halftime locker room.

The Texans got on the board to open the second half with a field goal. The Bears responded with another scoring drive. This time, under severe pressure, Finn set his feet and made a perfect throw to tight end Michael Trigg (RJr.) in the right corner of the end zone.

“Dequan is a dog,” Aranda said. “He’s going to bring an attitude from the beginning, and I think our team feeds off that. Our team sees that because that’s stuff you can’t fake. I think with his performance tonight, there was good and bad. Moving forward, we’re going to continue to feature and develop the things that he does really well, limit things he struggled with and improve on those things to a certain degree. I’m way confident with Dequan at the helm.”

Kicker Isaiah Hankins (RJr.) drilled a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to give the Bears a 38-3 lead. Late in the fourth, Sawyer Robertson (RJr.) entered for Finn at quarterback and led Baylor down the field, connecting with wide receiver Ketron Jackson (Sr.) for a 30-yard score.

Saturday’s season opener featured sloppiness on both sides, with Baylor and Tarleton combining for 13 penalties for 139 yards.

The Bears (1-0) will travel to take on the No. 12 Utah Utes (1-0) at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday, Sept. 7, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

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