Recap: Baylor Picks Up First Win in Big 12 Play, Defeats Oklahoma State, 45-27

STILLWATER, Okla. – Baylor football (3-2, 1-1) earned its first Big 12 win of the season with a 45-27 victory over Oklahoma State (1-3, 0-1) on Saturday afternoon at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Quarterback Sawyer Robertson (RSr.) had a stellar showing, throwing for 393 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-35 passing. Wide receiver Josh Cameron (RSr.) had a bounce-back performance with six catches for 98 yards. 

Running back Bryson Washington (RSo.) was banged up in the second half, but toted the rock 10 times for 77 yards and a touchdown. The offense finished with 612 total yards and 5.6 yards per carry.

The defense, however, struggled for much of the first half, surrendering 20 points and 349 yards before settling down in the second half and holding the Pokes to just seven points and 99 yards.

On Baylor’s opening drive, Robertson found wide receiver Kole Wilson (Sr.) twice, including a 34-yard touchdown up the right sideline. Wilson finished with six catches for 76 yards.

Following a 12-point performance in a loss to Tulsa last weekend, Oklahoma State’s offense marched down the field with ease, and linebacker Keaton Thomas (RJr.) bit on a trick play where wide receiver Sam Jackson V (RSr.), a former quarterback, connected with Josh Ford (So.) for a 26-yard score to tie the game at seven apiece.

The Bears regained the lead on a bruising 19-yard run up the middle from Washington. Baylor’s offense benefited from two defensive pass-interference penalties on the possession.

Oklahoma State marched back down the field, but its offense stalled in the red zone and the Pokes had to settle for a field goal, 14-10.

On the ensuing possession, Baylor faced a third and medium near midfield, but running back Caden Knighten bounced the run outside for a 49-yard gain — the longest of his career. Robertson capped off the drive with a fake quarterback sneak that turned into a jump pass-touchdown to tight end Matthew Klopfenstein (Jr.).

The Pokes made easy work of Baylor’s defense again, driving 75 yards down the field in just three plays. Running back Trent Howland (RSr.) walked into the end zone untouched for a 10-yard score.

Later in the second quarter, Robertson found a tight end in the end zone again, this time Michael Trigg (RSr.) from 10 yards out. Trigg dealt with some injuries throughout the contest but finished with three receptions for 62 yards.

Oklahoma State added a field goal before the end of the second quarter and trailed 28-20 going into the halftime locker room.

The Pokes entered Saturday’s contest averaging 324 yards per game and had 349 yards in the first alone, with 149 of those on the ground and 200 through the air.

On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Washington exited the game after appearing to take a helmet-to-helmet hit, but that didn’t stop the Bears as they scored in 45 seconds with Robertson finding wide receiver Kobe Prentice (Sr.) for a 73-yard touchdown to take a 35-20 lead.

Baylor’s defense got several stops to open the third quarter, but the offense couldn’t take advantage, due to self-inflicted wounds, including a Knighten fumble. The Pokes capitalized later and cut the game back to a one-score game on a one-yard rushing touchdown from Howland.

The Bears drove down the field, but penalties stalled their drive in the red zone. Kicker Connor Hawkins (RFr.) drilled a 36-yard field goal to put Baylor back up two scores, 38-27.

Baylor’s defense forced a stop, and the offense overcame multiple crucial penalties for a six-minute, 90-yard drive that Robertson finished with a two-yard score on the ground. Facing a third and long earlier in the drive, Robertson threw an absolute dart to Trigg for a 35-yard gain to keep the possession alive.

The Bears (3-2, 1-1) will return to Waco to face Kansas State (2-3, 1-1) at 11 a.m. next Saturday, Oct. 4, at McLane Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.