Back in Black: Bears Take Down Air Force, 31-3

WACO, Texas – Baylor (2-1) picked up its first home victory versus an FBS opponent since October 2022 with a 31-3 defeat of Air Force (1-2) on Saturday night in front of a blacked-out McLane Stadium.

In place of an injured Dequan Finn (6Sr.), Sawyer Robertson (RJr.) started at quarterback and shined, throwing for a career-high 248 yards through the air on 18-of-24 passing, while adding a rushing touchdown on the ground.

“Of all of the things, the thing I’m most proud of was the fight and the care factor; I thought that was on display,” head coach Dave Aranda said after the win. “Offensively, I think you could see the distribution when we hold onto the football and get the ball to playmakers, whether it’s Ashtyn [Hawkins], Richard [Reese], [Michael] Trigg or whoever.”

Defensively, the Bears forced three turnovers and were led by linebacker Matt Jones (6Sr.), who had 11 tackles, including a tackle for loss. Baylor outgained Air Force in total yardage, 468-to-218.

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Saturday night’s win over Air Force was Baylor’s first home-win versus an FBS opponet since October 2022.

Despite a sloppy first half that included three turnovers, Baylor turned it on in the second half, out-scoring the Falcons 23-to-0 during that span. 

On fourth and long, early in the first quarter, safety Caleb Parker (RSr.) broke through the Falcons' line of defense and blocked a punt that was recovered by reserve linebacker Josh White (RSr.) at the Air Force 28-yard line.

Baylor's offense couldn't take advantage of the excellent field position and had to settle for a 46-yard field goal from kicker Isaiah Hankins (RJr.). Hankins is 6-for-8 on field goals this season so far.

The Bears had other opportunities throughout the first half to put more points on the board, but a fumble from running back Dawson Pendergrass (So.) in the red zone and an unsuccessful run from Richard Reese (Jr.) on fourth and short kept Baylor from finding the end zone.

Later in the second quarter, with pressure in his face, Robertson spun out of the pocket to his left and found running back Bryson Washington (RFr.) for a 23-yard reception; the ball, however, was jarred loose and recovered by Air Force deep in the Falcons territory.

“We were hurting ourselves [early],” Washington said. “Once we got all that cleaned up, we were ready to play ball.”

On the following drive, Robertson connected with tight end Michael Trigg (RJr.) for a 26-yard pass, but for the third time in the contest, the Bears coughed up the ball to the Falcons.

“Air Force plays hard, and I have a lot of respect for that team,” Aranda said. “Their effort and swarm was a factor, but the biggest issue in my eyes is that we were careless with the ball.”

Three plays later, Air Force fumbled, giving Baylor the ball back at its own 45-yard line. Robertson then found Pendergrass for a 22-yard reception, and Hankins nailed a 51-yard field as time expired to end the first half.

Baylor entered the half-time locker with just six points despite Robertson throwing for 157 yards on 11-of-15 passing. The Bears were also dominated in time of possession, 23:56-to-6:04.

“Complementary football happened [in the second half],” Jones said post-game. “In the first half, we weren’t playing that. But in the second half, we came out with some fire and some juice. The offense came out and did their thing. I talked to Sawyer at half-time and told him that we needed them as much as they needed us – it’s a team win.”

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Baylor’s defense held Air Force to three points and 218 total yards of offense.

To open the third quarter, Baylor locked in on offense and marched down the field with Robertson at the helm. Washington capped off the drive with multiple bruising runs, including a 19-yard touchdown run up the gut of the Air Force defense.

After missing the season's opening two games, Washington shined in his 2024 debut with a career-high 106 yards on 12 carries.

“This past season and the past two weeks, I’ve been hungry,” Washington said. “I’ve been eager to get back on the field. Going out there and playing with my brothers, they mean the most to me, so I wanted to go out there and give it my all.”

The Bears stayed hot in the third quarter with another long drive that Robertson finished with a six-yard rushing touchdown – the second of his career – to extend BU's lead to 23-3.

“Sawyer came in and performed really well,” Aranda said. “I thought he was poised. When the rush got in his face, he got the ball out. That calming presence in the pocket was good to see. He distributed the ball to guys who could do something with it.”

After Baylor forced a turnover on downs deep in the Falcons territory, Reese found a seam on the edge and cut up the sideline for a 28-yard touchdown. Instead of kicking an extra point, the Bears completed the two-point conversion on a Robertson scramble. The score was Reese's first rushing touchdown since Sept. 16, 2023, against Long Island.

The Bears (2-1) will travel to Boulder to open conference play against Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes (2-1) at 7 p.m. next Saturday, Sept. 21, at Folsom Field.