Baylor Football

Game Thread: Baylor Looks to Upset Arizona State in Tempe

Bears face Sun Devils.
By SicEm365 Staff
October 2, 2026
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SICEM365 GAME THREAD

Baylor at Arizona State

First True Road Game • Big 12 Night Game
Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 9:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Mountain America Stadium • Tempe, AZ
Records Baylor 3-1 (1-0 Big 12) | Arizona State 2-1 (1-0 Big 12)
Coaches Dave Aranda (Year 7) vs. Kenny Dillingham (Year 4)
Kickoff 9:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. MT / 10:30 p.m. ET
TV ESPN — Roy Philpott, Brock Osweiler, Sherree Burruss
Radio John Morris, Geff Gandy, Bryson Jackson • KRZI 1660 AM / 92.3 FM
Stream ESPN / ESPN app • BaylorBears.com radio
Series Arizona State leads 2-0
Last meeting Arizona State 27, Baylor 24 (Waco, Sept. 20, 2025) • Gomez 43-yard FG as time expired
Last game Baylor 23, Colorado 13 (Sept. 26)
Line Arizona State -3.5 • O/U 49.5 • as of Oct. 2

Why This Game Matters

  • First true road game of 2026 (Auburn was a neutral site in Atlanta)
  • Night game in Tempe after ASU’s bye; Sun Devils opened league play with a 24-17 win over Kansas in London
  • Baylor has held all four opponents under 20 points, the longest such streak since 2005
  • DJ Lagway is a week removed from a rusty return: 19-of-39, 221 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT vs. Colorado
  • Initial injury report is clean — no Bears listed doubtful or questionable

Series History

  • Arizona State leads 2-0
  • 1990 in Tempe: ASU 34, Baylor 13 — Baylor’s only previous trip to Tempe
  • 2025 in Waco: ASU 27, Baylor 24 on Jesus Gomez’s 43-yard field goal as time expired
  • ASU this year: W vs. Morgan State, L 48-20 at Texas A&M, bye, W 24-17 vs. Kansas (London)

Keys for Baylor

  1. Survive the environment. Aranda called it loud and electric at night. First conference home night game for a lot of this ASU roster.
  2. Get Lagway on schedule. Efficiency has to jump from the Colorado line. 
  3. Win up front. The ASU offensive line is still searching. ASU’s Cutter Boley (736 yards, 9 TD) is the guy to pressure.
  4. Keep the scoring defense intact. Plenty of bend but don’t break for Baylor in 2026. ASU is built to drive on offense. Be better. 
  5. Finish drives. 23 points against Colorado will not be enough if the Sun Devils get their home offense going. Don’t leave points on the field. 

Players to Watch

Baylor: QB DJ Lagway • RB Dawson Pendergrass • WR Gavin Freeman, Jayden McGowan, Dre'lon Miller • OL Koltin Sieracki • LB Travion Barnes • S Bo Onu, Micah Gifford • DL Hosea Wheeler, Traevon Mitchell

Arizona State: QB Cutter Boley • RB Kyson Brown • WR Reed Harris • K Jesus Gomez • HC Kenny Dillingham

SicEm365 Arizona State week reading

SICEM365
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Dave Aranda Game Thread Kenny Dillingham Baylor-Arizona State Baylor at Arizona State Football Arizona State Baylor 2026
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Discussion from...

Game Thread: Baylor Looks to Upset Arizona State in Tempe

61,054 Views | 693 Replies | Last: 1 day ago by boognish_bear
Youre a clown
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7:10a, 10/4/26
Great win! One of the most complementary football games I can remember Baylor playing in a long time. Kudos to Dave, he clearly had the team prepared
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Jack Bauer
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7:57a, 10/4/26
Thus was BUGWBBEARs worst nightmare
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Timbear
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8:25a, 10/4/26
As posted on a different thread, awesome game by Dave, coaches and players. This is the Aranda we want.
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FLBear5630
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In reply to Timbear • 8:35a, 10/4/26
Timbear said:
As posted on a different thread, awesome game by Dave, coaches and players. This is the Aranda we want.

We seem to have the players to compete. This was the Lagway everyone saw in him when he was a 5* recruit, being closer to home seems to have made a difference. He is not the same worry-wart QB he was at UF.

Didn't get to see much started at 10:30 PM here. But, looks like a complete game. Nice job.

So far, it looks like IF Aranda has the players he can produce. Seems like we have a nice roster and some good additions for this season. Makes me wonder if the new NIL structure suits him, let them find and pay the type of players he and the DC want... Early yet, but promising. We seem to be getting better week to week. DC hire seems to have been a good fit, Aranda doesn't have to worry about that.

I have no special love for Aranda, but he does seem sustainable at BU personality and money fit. So, it would be nice to not have to go through the search...
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GABear78
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8:39a, 10/4/26
Great game overall and we show signs of highly competitive play. We still need to clean up a couple of missed passes for touchdowns and missed field goals to win a championship but this does prove we can run and throw with the best of them. Defense played well and kept them to field goals. Let's build and repeat! Congrats everyone - that was fun to see!
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BellCountyBear
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9:24a, 10/4/26
I only made it to halftime. What a glorious thing to wake up to!
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Dia del DougO
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9:47a, 10/4/26
It's really nice to see what happens when Baylor gets out to a nice lead and doesn't have to sweat some crucial game decisions.

"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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ImABearToo
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In reply to BellCountyBear • 9:51a, 10/4/26
Same. Plan to watch the entire game this afternoon and enjoy the known results.
“Life is short, eat desert first!”
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Jack Bauer
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9:58a, 10/4/26
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9:59a, 10/4/26
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10:00a, 10/4/26
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Jack Bauer
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10:01a, 10/4/26
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historian
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In reply to Jack Bauer • 10:06a, 10/4/26
Jack Bauer said:
Thus was BUGWBBEARs worst nightmare

All the haters too
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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BearFan33
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In reply to Jack Bauer • 10:28a, 10/4/26
Jack Bauer said:


That is such a fantastic picture
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Quinton
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10:51a, 10/4/26
Watched the rest this morning and they made it happen. Great game.

When it got within one possession after some poor execution you thought it's going to happen again. The way they responded was completely unexpected but credit where it's due.

With the emergence of a game breaker at rb If DJ gets healthy and cleans up sailing wide open balls, this team is going to be extremely dangerous.
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boognish_bear
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10:56a, 10/4/26
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historian
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11:10a, 10/4/26
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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Delmar 2.0
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11:38a, 10/4/26
W
I ain't quite as dumb as I seem
-- (P.C. 1974)
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FLBear5630
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In reply to historian • 11:47a, 10/4/26
historian said:
Jack Bauer said:
Thus was BUGWBBEARs worst nightmare

All the haters too

Yeah, the anti-Dave crowd have the shakes. 2 more wins, bowl eligible. Only blemish a 1 foot loss to Auburn in Atlanta... A lot of fetal positions...
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boognish_bear
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In reply to Team America • 11:47a, 10/4/26
Team America said:
My goodness our WR's are making some grown man catches tonight.


For a mostly unheralded group the WRs really stood out last night . They won so many 50/50 balls.
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Bearsalwayswin
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In reply to boognish_bear • 11:55a, 10/4/26
dallas baker
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Guitarbiscuit
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In reply to bear2be2 • 12:00p, 10/4/26
bear2be2 said:
Guitarbiscuit said:
BearlyBeloved said:
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.


I loved the win tonight. But I'm not ready to stop complaining about CDA just yet.

The TCU game is the next huge one. If we win that one at home, people will have no choice but to get excited about this season and rally around this team.

The importance of tonight's win really can't be overstated. It's just like the Tech win in 2024, which completely changed the trajectory of that season. We have a chance now to go on a serious run. The only difference -- and it's a huge one -- is that we haven't already dug ourselves a hole the way we did in 2024.

We can actually do some pretty special things if we continue to improve and win games. But we got to win the TCU game out of the bye week or this balloon loses its air quickly.


I'm already excited about what the team can accomplish this year, but my belief in CDA will take much longer to return. Guessing there are some like me out there who separate the team's success from the head coach. Not saying that is the right thing to do but that's the way some probably see it. Great win last night though. They could go 10-3 playing like that.
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boognish_bear
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In reply to Jack Bauer • 12:02p, 10/4/26
Jack Bauer said:


Dude is just electric. So fun to watch.
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FLBear5630
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In reply to Guitarbiscuit • 12:03p, 10/4/26
Guitarbiscuit said:
bear2be2 said:
Guitarbiscuit said:
BearlyBeloved said:
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.


I loved the win tonight. But I'm not ready to stop complaining about CDA just yet.

The TCU game is the next huge one. If we win that one at home, people will have no choice but to get excited about this season and rally around this team.

The importance of tonight's win really can't be overstated. It's just like the Tech win in 2024, which completely changed the trajectory of that season. We have a chance now to go on a serious run. The only difference -- and it's a huge one -- is that we haven't already dug ourselves a hole the way we did in 2024.

We can actually do some pretty special things if we continue to improve and win games. But we got to win the TCU game out of the bye week or this balloon loses its air quickly.


I'm already excited about what the team can accomplish this year, but my belief in CDA will take much longer to return. Guessing there are some like me out there who separate the team's success from the head coach. Not saying that is the right thing to do but that's the way some probably see it. Great win last night though. They could go 10-3 playing like that.

I agree. 100%
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boognish_bear
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12:04p, 10/4/26
I was on a major lag starting the game really late and not finishing until about 2 AM. I cannot remember the last time I cheered out loud so much watching a Baylor game.

Last year's football season was a kick in the balls... then men's basketball was another kick in the balls... it felt so damn good to enjoy watching Baylor sports for once.

Sic TCU.
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Youre a clown
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In reply to Guitarbiscuit • 12:05p, 10/4/26
Guitarbiscuit said:
bear2be2 said:
Guitarbiscuit said:
BearlyBeloved said:
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.


I loved the win tonight. But I'm not ready to stop complaining about CDA just yet.

The TCU game is the next huge one. If we win that one at home, people will have no choice but to get excited about this season and rally around this team.

The importance of tonight's win really can't be overstated. It's just like the Tech win in 2024, which completely changed the trajectory of that season. We have a chance now to go on a serious run. The only difference -- and it's a huge one -- is that we haven't already dug ourselves a hole the way we did in 2024.

We can actually do some pretty special things if we continue to improve and win games. But we got to win the TCU game out of the bye week or this balloon loses its air quickly.


I'm already excited about what the team can accomplish this year, but my belief in CDA will take much longer to return. Guessing there are some like me out there who separate the team's success from the head coach. Not saying that is the right thing to do but that's the way some probably see it. Great win last night though. They could go 10-3 playing like that.


This is a good take and pretty much where I'm at. Dominant win last night, absolutely. I think most would agree that Arizona State appears to be a bad team. I also think it's reasonable to say that it's going to take more than one dominant win to build up trust in a coach that was sub 0.500 last year and is hovering slightly above 0.500 for his tenure at Baylor.

TCU is not a good team, but they always play Baylor well. With two weeks to prepare and paying them at home, it should be a win

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Guitarbiscuit
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In reply to FLBear5630 • 12:07p, 10/4/26
FLBear5630 said:
historian said:
Jack Bauer said:
Thus was BUGWBBEARs worst nightmare

All the haters too

Yeah, the anti-Dave crowd have the shakes. 2 more wins, bowl eligible. Only blemish a 1 foot loss to Auburn in Atlanta... A lot of fetal positions...


Not sure you have the haters' ideology down pat. There was a time I wanted CDA gone. And I'm still not high on him. And yes, if the team lost, I said we're now maybe one step closer to maybe getting rid of him. For me that was the upshot of losing. But to assume haters would be actually upset after a winif that is really what is happening with some, that would be unfortunate and to me, surprising.
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boognish_bear
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12:09p, 10/4/26
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boognish_bear
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12:10p, 10/4/26
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In reply to boognish_bear • 12:19p, 10/4/26
boognish_bear said:


See! Kicking ass by fans can motivate. .
Iran has Trump by his pu**y and no way they will let go
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Youre a clown
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In reply to FLBear5630 • 12:24p, 10/4/26
FLBear5630 said:
historian said:
Jack Bauer said:
Thus was BUGWBBEARs worst nightmare

All the haters too

Yeah, the anti-Dave crowd have the shakes. 2 more wins, bowl eligible. Only blemish a 1 foot loss to Auburn in Atlanta... A lot of fetal positions...


This is a bad take. No one cares about a close loss, and bowl eligibility in the current big 12 is not a big accomplishment. Standard this year should be eight wins minimum
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Guitarbiscuit
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In reply to Youre a clown • 12:24p, 10/4/26
Youre a clown said:
Guitarbiscuit said:
bear2be2 said:
Guitarbiscuit said:
BearlyBeloved said:
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.


I loved the win tonight. But I'm not ready to stop complaining about CDA just yet.

The TCU game is the next huge one. If we win that one at home, people will have no choice but to get excited about this season and rally around this team.

The importance of tonight's win really can't be overstated. It's just like the Tech win in 2024, which completely changed the trajectory of that season. We have a chance now to go on a serious run. The only difference -- and it's a huge one -- is that we haven't already dug ourselves a hole the way we did in 2024.

We can actually do some pretty special things if we continue to improve and win games. But we got to win the TCU game out of the bye week or this balloon loses its air quickly.


I'm already excited about what the team can accomplish this year, but my belief in CDA will take much longer to return. Guessing there are some like me out there who separate the team's success from the head coach. Not saying that is the right thing to do but that's the way some probably see it. Great win last night though. They could go 10-3 playing like that.


This is a good take and pretty much where I'm at. Dominant win last night, absolutely. I think most would agree that Arizona State appears to be a bad team. I also think it's reasonable to say that it's going to take more than one dominant win to build up trust in a coach that was sub 0.500 last year and is hovering slightly above 0.500 for his tenure at Baylor.

TCU is not a good team, but they always play Baylor well. With two weeks to prepare and paying them at home, it should be a win



I'll be honest Clown, I'm not even sure going 11-2 would completely restore my confidence in the head coach. It's not that I hold grudges forever, but for me it takes about 30 years to get over things.
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In reply to Guitarbiscuit • 12:27p, 10/4/26
Guitarbiscuit said:
Youre a clown said:
Guitarbiscuit said:
bear2be2 said:
Guitarbiscuit said:
BearlyBeloved said:
Look it up--This was my prediction for this game:



Da Bears 31
Da Devils 17

Da Bottom Line:

Lagway runs 4 times for 34 yards in the first half, which is enough to bother the ASU defense and help the rest of our offense.

We rush for 168 yards total and pass for 300. Freeman doesn't repeat his hurdle but he scores and takes pressure off our other receivers.

5 sacks and 12 TFL by our defense. We lead 28-10 going into the 4th quarter.

CDA haters continue hating.


I loved the win tonight. But I'm not ready to stop complaining about CDA just yet.

The TCU game is the next huge one. If we win that one at home, people will have no choice but to get excited about this season and rally around this team.

The importance of tonight's win really can't be overstated. It's just like the Tech win in 2024, which completely changed the trajectory of that season. We have a chance now to go on a serious run. The only difference -- and it's a huge one -- is that we haven't already dug ourselves a hole the way we did in 2024.

We can actually do some pretty special things if we continue to improve and win games. But we got to win the TCU game out of the bye week or this balloon loses its air quickly.


I'm already excited about what the team can accomplish this year, but my belief in CDA will take much longer to return. Guessing there are some like me out there who separate the team's success from the head coach. Not saying that is the right thing to do but that's the way some probably see it. Great win last night though. They could go 10-3 playing like that.


This is a good take and pretty much where I'm at. Dominant win last night, absolutely. I think most would agree that Arizona State appears to be a bad team. I also think it's reasonable to say that it's going to take more than one dominant win to build up trust in a coach that was sub 0.500 last year and is hovering slightly above 0.500 for his tenure at Baylor.

TCU is not a good team, but they always play Baylor well. With two weeks to prepare and paying them at home, it should be a win



I'll be honest Clown, I'm not even sure going 11-2 would completely restore my confidence in the head coach. It's not that I hold grudges forever, but for me it takes about 30 years to get over things.


I understand completely
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historian
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In reply to Guitarbiscuit • 12:34p, 10/4/26
Our Bears can go 12-1 playing the way they did last night, especially if Lagway continues to improve and gets healthier. Everyone needs to be healthy.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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Jacques Strap
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12:38p, 10/4/26
Went to bed at 21-6 and what a nice surprise to see the final when I got up. Looking forward to watching the rest of the game now. Conference road wins are hard to come by so I'm impressed!!
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