Recap: Bears Can't Complete Comeback against Rival TCU, Lose 42-36

FORT WORTH – Baylor football (4-3, 2-2) lost, 42-36, against rival TCU (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday afternoon at Amon. G Carter Stadium.

The Bears outgained TCU overall, 439-to-427, and totaled four turnovers. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson (RSr.) was 25-of-52 for 318 yards, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions, including the game-sealer in the final seconds.

Baylor’s offense finally made headway on the third drive, which got sparked by a 41-yard completion to wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins (6Sr.). Later in the possession, Hawkins drew a pass interference penalty on fourth down to keep the possession alive, and Washington found pay dirt on a third-down direct snap for a touchdown.

TCU immediately responded with a touchdown drive of its own to tie the game at seven apiece. 

The Bears then gave the Horned Frogs all of the momentum with a Washington fumble deep inside Baylor’s territory, his third of the year, leading to an easy five-yard rushing touchdown from running back Kevorian Barnes (RSr.).

Baylor had a chance to tie the game and send the game to halftime knotted at 14 apiece, but a holding penalty from left tackle Sidney Fugar (RSr.) and a drop from tight end Michael Trigg (RSr.) forced the Bears to settle for a 42-yard field goal from Connor Hawkins (RFr.).

On their last drive before the half, the Horned Frogs were sputtering to start the possession, but TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (Jr.) found tight end DJ Rogers (RSr.) over the middle for an easy completion on third down. The Horned Frogs marched down the field, and Hoover connected with wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (RJr.) for a six-yard score, where Baylor safety Devyn Bobby (Sr.) missed a tackle.

TCU led Baylor 21-10 at halftime, outscoring the Bears 21-3 in the second quarter alone. The Horned Frogs out-gained Baylor, 231-to-160, in the first half.

TCU opened the third quarter with a quick touchdown drive, but Baylor responded with a six-minute, 70-yard scoring drive to keep the game alive. Robertson connected with wide receiver Jadon Porter (So.) for an 18-yard touchdown, the first of his career. The Bears got a successful two-point conversion to cut TCU’s lead to 28-18 going into the fourth quarter.

Wide receiver Josh Cameron (RSr.) had a huge punt return that would have put Baylor in the red zone, but it was called back on a block-in-the-back. The Bears drove down the field but stalled and had to settle for a 40-yard field goal from Hawkins.

It only took three plays for TCU to go back up two scores on a 65-yard rushing touchdown from tailback Trent Battle (RSr.), putting the Horned Frogs ahead 35-21 with 13:46 remaining, before a lightning delay paused the game for nearly an hour in real time.

Baylor’s offense faced third and long near midfield, and Robertson had a wide-open lane to run, but kept his eyes downfield and took a sack. The Bears’ defense forced a three-and-out, but the offense was shut down on fourth and short.

Both teams exchanged late touchdowns. The Bears then cut it to a one-score game, recovered the onside kick, but Robertson threw an interception in the final seconds.

Baylor travels to Cincinnati (5-1, 3-0) to face the Bearcats at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Nippert Stadium.