Baylor steamrolls Kansas State, 31-12

MANHATTAN, Kansas – The Baylor Bears moved to 5-0 on the season with their impressive 31-12 victory against the Kansas State Wildcats.

Shot out of the gate: Tyquan Thornton picked up where he left off last week against Iowa State, when he caught 11 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. It seems like Brewer and Thornton have gotten some chemistry going. In the first half alone, Thornton had 3 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. On Baylor’s only touchdown drive of the first half, Thornton had a tremendous 11-yard reception before he caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Brewer. 

Decisive Moment: Grayland Arnold’s interception at the beginning of the 4thquarter was a huge moment in this game. With the Wildcats threatening to make a comeback, Clay Johnston tipped a pass over the middle and Grayland Arnold came down with the interception. He then returned it for a touchdown, but it was called back on a questionable holding call. The Bears, however, would then drive down the field and score a touchdown to take a commanding 24-6 lead. 

MVP: Clay Johnston was the best player in this game. He seemed to be leading the defense all over the field. In the passing game, he did a great job in coverage and even got a tip on a ball that led to an interception. In the run game, it seemed like he was a part of every tackle on the field. There were a lot of great plays from the defense in this game, but Johnston really stood out.

Key stat: The Wildcats were 6 for 17 on third downs.The Bears defense in this game was sensational, especially on third down. The Bears defense clearly showed up when it was necessary and delivered. The fact that the Bears only allowed 12 points against a team like Kansas State on the road is a testament to how great this defense has played.

Game Notes:

• Heading into the game, Kansas state led the series 9-7.
• Baylor won the last matchup in Waco 37-34.
• The last time Baylor won in Manhattan was in 2015 when they won 31-24 and were ranked 2ndin the country.
• Baylor had 7 penalties for 52 yards.
• Gerry Bohanon came into the game for Charlie Brewer in the 4thquarter and delivered a touchdown run on his first drive.

Game Summary

First Quarter

2:25 KSU: FG – K Blake Lynch makes 31-yard field goal: Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:11 – Baylor 0 – Kansas State 3

Second Quarter

15:00 BAY: FG – K John Mayers makes 36-yard field goal: Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 1:54 – Baylor 3 – Kansas State 3

6:42 BAY: TD — WR Tyquan Thornton 29-yard reception: Drive: 7 plays, 97 yards, 2:30 — Baylor 10 – Kansas State 3

Third Quarter

11:32 BAY: TD — RB John Lovett 13-yard run: Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 2:09 — Baylor 17 – Kansas State 3

8:52 KSU: Turnover – QB Skylar Thompson fumbles, S JT Woods recovers for no gain

0:25 KSU: FG K Blake Lynch makes 30-yard field goal: Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 5:59 – Baylor 17 – Kansas State 6

Fourth Quarter

12:50 KSU: Turnover – S Grayland Arnold intercepts QB Skylar Thompson

11:05 BAY: TD – QB Gerry Bohanon 4-yard run: Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 2:10 – Baylor 24 – Kansas State 6

6:31 KSU: TD – WR Dalton Schoen 5-yard reception, missed two-point conversion: Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 4:03 – Baylor 24 – Kansas State 12

5:37 BAY: TD – RB John Lovett 46-yard run: Drive: 2 plays, 43 yards, 0:36 – Baylor 31 – Kansas State 12