Baylor takes down Vanderbilt in the Texas Bowl, 45-38

HOUSTON, Texas — Baylor defeated Vanderbilt at NRG Stadium on Thursday night to win the Academy Sports & Outdoors Texas Bowl

1^st Quarter

On the third play of the game, the Commodores threw a perfectly executed screen pass to Khari Blasingame as he went 65 yards untouched to the end zone. Baylor took their first drive 69 yards all the way to the Vanderbilt 3 yard line before settling for a Connor Martin 23 yard field goal. The Bears then held the Commodores to just 2 first downs on their next drive and forced them to punt. On their next offensive drive, Baylor went 9 plays for 73 yards on a drive capped off by a 12 yard John Lovett touchdown run on 4^th and 1. Just when it seemed like the Baylor defense had a rhythm going, Ke’Shawn Vaughn burst for a 68 yard touchdown run for the Commodores.

Highlights

On 3^rd and 12 at the Vanderbilt 35, Charlie Brewer read through his progressions and decided to tuck and run for a 24 yard gain. Baylor would have to settle for a field goal.

After a stop on defense, Matt Rhule elected to go for it on 4^th and 1 from the Vanderbilt 12. John Lovett found a gap and was able to get into the end zone.

Score

Baylor 10, Vanderbilt 14

2^nd Quarter

At the beginning of the second quarter, freshman Josh Fleeks caught a pivotal third down pass to extend the drive. JaMycal Hasty then jetted for a 15 yard run followed by an 18 yard touchdown to give the Bears the lead. On the next drive, Ke’Shawn Vaughn took another long run to the house with a 69 yard touchdown. Baylor followed up with a promising drive that net 67 yards, but the Bears ultimately failed to come up with any points after a missed chip-shot field goal. Vanderbilt would then take the rest of the quarter to move the ball down the field thanks to 3 Baylor offsides penalties. After an offensive holding call on a made field goal, the Commodores missed the one that counted from 45 yards to end the half.

Highlights

Charlie Brewer connected with Tyquan Thornton for a 30 yard completion to get inside the Vanderbilt red zone. The Bears couldn’t capitalize after a missed 25 yard field goal from Connor Martin.

Score

Baylor 17, Vanderbilt 21

3^rd Quarter

Needing a momentum-swinging drive to start the half, the Bears raced down the field in just 6 plays and punched it into the end zone off of a 34 yard Trestan Ebner touchdown run. The Bears then held the Commodores to just one first down and forced them to punt. Baylor then worked the ball down the field with a 38 yard run by Brewer and a 15 yard completion on 4^th and 13 to Mims. They would finish the drive with a 1 yard QB sneak touchdown by Charlie Brewer. Vanderbilt came back firing and drove the ball deep into Baylor territory. After a 32 yard completion, Jared Pinkney fumbled the ball on the 2 yard line and it was recovered by the Bears. The Bears went 3 and out and were forced to punt following the fumble recovery. Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur would then find Amir Abdur-Rahman for a 52 yard gain that would lead to a 2 yard touchdown run by Khari Blasingame. 

Highlights

On 2^nd and 5 from the Baylor 43, Charlie Brewer found Tyquan Thornton once again for a 24 yard gain that set up the Trestan Ebner touchdown run.

Backed up to their own 12 yard line, Charlie Brewer read the read option exceptionally well and escaped for a 38 yard gain. That led to a 1 yard touchdown run by Brewer.

Score

Baylor 31, Vanderbilt 28 

4^th Quarter

The Bears opening drive of the final quarter saw the Bears go 10 plays for 59 yards before Charlie Brewer delivered a pass to Denzel Mims in the end zone that Mims dropped into the hands of Vanderbilt corner Randall Haynie, leading to a touchback. The Commodores would then answer with yet another explosive play as Ke’Shawn Vaughn broke free for a 66 yard gain to the Baylor 1. Khari Blasingame would then score on a touchdown run from 1 yard out to give the Commodores the lead. The Bears would answer on the very first play of the next drive with a 75 yard touchdown pass from Charlie Brewer to Trestan Ebner. Vanderbilt would take the ensuing drive all the way to the Baylor 14 yard line, but the Bears defense held them in the red zone, as they Commodores settled for and converted a field goal to tie the game. Charlie Brewer would then lead another quick drive, as he found Marques Jones for a 52 yard touchdown on just the fourth play of the drive with only 1:50 remaining. With the game on the line, Baylor’s defense stood strong and forced a turnover on downs to seal the game. 

Highlights

After a heart-wrenching drive that gave the Commodores a 35-31 lead, Charlie Brewer dropped back to pass on the first play and delivered a dime to Trestan Ebner for a 75 yard touchdown to give the Bears the lead once again.

On 1^st and 10 from the Baylor 48, Charlie Brewer found Marques Jones on the right side of the field who took off for a 52 yard touchdown to give the Bears what ending up being the game-winning touchdown. 

FINAL SCORE

Baylor 45, Vanderbilt 38