HOUSTON – Baylor (7-4, 5-3) extended its winning streak to five games with a narrow 20-10 victory over the Houston Cougars (4-7, 3-5) on Saturday night at TDECU Stadium.
Running back Bryson Washington (RFr.) continued his fantastic season with another 100-yard performance on the ground; he finished with 113 rushing yards on 28 carries.
Linebacker Keaton Thomas (RSo.) led the Bears' defense with 10 tackles, half of a sack and two tackles for loss. Cornerback Lorando Johnson (RSr.) and safety Devin Lemear (RJr.) came up clutch with fourth-quarter interceptions.
Saturday’s contest was an ugly rock fight, with both teams combining for seven turnovers. It was Baylor’s lowest total yardage output (325) by a wide margin during its five-game winning streak — the program’s longest streak since 2019.
BU’s defense forced a season-high four turnovers and surrendered just three points and 239 total yards to the Cougars on the night.
The matchup started in wild fashion as both quarterbacks — Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson (RSo.) and Houston’s Zeon Chriss (So.) — threw interceptions on their respective team’s opening drive.
Baylor safety Devyn Bobby (Jr.) came down with the interception in the end zone; it was his first of the season. Bobby played well against the Cougars, totaling five tackles and a tackle for loss.
Knotted at zeros, Robertson led the Bears back down the field and connected with tight end Michael Trigg (RJr.) two times on the possession. Trigg capped off the drive with a remarkable five-yard touchdown where he jumped over the UH defender, snagged it and got both feet down for the score.
Trigg was sensational in the contest, leading the team with a career-high 96 receiving yards and four catches.
Later in the first quarter, with an opportunity to take a two-touchdown lead, Robertson telegraphed a pass to Washington that was returned for a pick-six by Houston defensive back Jeremiah Wilson (Jr.).
Baylor had more turnovers (2) in the first quarter on Saturday than the last four games combined (1).
Robertson bounced back on the ensuing possession and perfectly placed a ball to wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins (5Sr.) for a 23-yard score. Hawkins finished the game with 65 yards on six receptions.
Robertson closed the contest with 204 yards, two touchdowns and a career-high three interceptions on 15-of-23 passing.
Following another defensive stop, the Bears had an opportunity to extend their lead even further after a pair of bruising runs from running back Dawson Pendergrass (So.) to set up a third and goal from the one-yard line.
However, on the next play with Washington lined up in ‘Wildcat’ formation, center Coleton Price (RSo.) sailed the snap over his head for a 25-yard loss.
The Bears had to settle for a 45-yard field goal from Isaiah Hankins (RJr.).
Going into the halftime locker room, Baylor had 16 first downs compared to Houston’s four and out-gained the Cougars in total yardage, 268-to-57, but led just 17-7.
The Bears went three-and-out on their first two possessions in the second half, leaving the door open for the Cougars to get back into the game.
Despite a scoreless third quarter from both teams, Houston cut Baylor’s lead to 17-10 following a 24-yard field goal from Jack Martin (Sr.) with 14:52 remaining in the fourth quarter.
After Johnson intercepted Chriss, the Bears were unable to pick up a first down. Instead, Hankins marched onto the field and drilled a clutch 50-yarder to take a two-score lead, 20-10.
On the ensuing kickoff, linebacker Josh White (RSr.) stripped Houston’s return man, Mehki Mews (Jr.), of the ball, and LeVar Thornton (RFr.) recovered the loose football at the UH 43-yard line.
