Baylor edges TCU in 3OT to stay undefeated, 29-23

FORT WORTH, Texas - The Baylor Bears fought back to edge the TCU Horned Frogs and stay undefeated with a 29-23 3OT victory.

Shot out of the gate: Some might say that the Baylor defense shot out of the gate of this game, but they did give up their first points on an opening possession this season in this game. So, this team struggled across the board early. Consequently, no one really shot out of the gate.

Struggled: The Baylor offense had a horrendous first half. They were down 9-0 and only picked up 73 yards with 25 plays. They also had their two turnovers of this game in just the first half. The offensive line was struggling, the running backs could not go anywhere, and Charlie’s accuracy was nowhere to be found.

Decisive Moment: There were decisive moments all over the place down the stretch of this game. However, I am going to give the nod to John Mayers’ 51-yard field goal. I think just about every Baylor fan was expecting him to miss, but he came through. He made the field goal with just over 40 seconds left to tie the game at 9 and force overtime. None of the overtime drama even happens without that field goal.

MVP: This was yet another sensational performance by the Baylor defense. They allowed 308 yards and forced 3 turnovers. Once again, the defense was put into unfair situations because of poor offensive play early on in the game. The defense locked down and made plays when it counted. When overtime rolled around, they did look a bit tired. Even so, an incredible catch from TCU Hunt kept the game going. However, they made the big plays to secure the victory on the final possession of the game.

Key stat: The Baylor offense scored 3 touchdowns in 3 possessions in overtime. I cannot stress this enough, but the Baylor offense came alive in overtime. Receivers made big catches. Charlie made great throws. The protection was much better. All-around, the offense finally got a rhythm going. They made big plays on 3rd and 4th downs, which goes to show that this offense can deliver late in games. 

Game Notes:

• This was the 115th contest between Baylor and TCU, which is the most-played series for both schools.
• Baylor is the second FBS program to start 8-0 within two seasons of starting 0-8 since 1937. The other school was UCF in 2015 and 2017.
• Baylor had forced a punt on all first possessions of their games up until they allowed a 47-yard field goal to start this game.
• Grayland Arnold’s interception in the first quarter was the first Baylor takeaway against TCU since 2015.
• Before the game, Baylor’s 10 game win streak dating back to 2018 was tied for third longest in FBS.
• Heading into the game, Baylor had a 114-55-2 record all-time as a ranked team.

Game Summary

First Quarter

12:34 TCU: FG – K Griffin Kell makes 47-yard field goal: Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:26 – Baylor 0 – TCU 3

6:41 BAY: Turnover – S La’Kendrick Van Zandt intercepts QB Charlie Brewer

3:46 TCU: Turnover – DB Grayland Arnold intercepts QB Max Duggan

Second Quarter

5:48 BAY: Missed FG – K John Mayers misses 32-yard field goal

0:29 TCU: FG – K Jonathan Song makes 37-yard field goal: Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:07 – Baylor 0 – TCU 6

0:29 BAY: Turnover – LB Trystan Slinker muffs kick, WR Derius Davis recovers

0:00 TCU: FG – K Jonathan Song makes 31-yard field goal: Drive: 5 plays, 10 yards, 0:25 – Baylor 0 – TCU 9

Third Quarter

9:58 BAY: FG – K John Mayers makes 36-yard field goal: Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 5:02 – Baylor 3 – TCU 9

0:25 TCU: Turnover – LB Terrel Bernard intercepts QB Max Duggan, returns for 19 yards

Fourth Quarter

14:34 BAY: FG – K John Mayers makes 36-yard field goal: Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:51 – Baylor 6 – TCU 9

0:36 BAY: FG – K John Mayers makes 51-yard field goal: Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 2:47 – Baylor 9 – TCU 9

Overtime

0:00 BAY: TD – QB Charlie Brewer 3-yard run: Drive: 8 plays, 25 yards – Baylor 16 – TCU 9

0:00 TCU: TD – WR Te’Valiance Hunt 24-yard reception: Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards – Baylor 16 – TCU 16

0:00 TCU: TD – RB Sewo Olonilua 2-yard run: Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards – Baylor 16 – TCU 23

0:00 BAY: TD – WR Denzel Mims 20-yard reception: Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards – Baylor 23 – TCU 23

0:00 BAY: TD – WR Denzel Mims 4-yard reception, 2 point conversion no-good: Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards – Baylor 29 – TCU 23

0:00 TCU: Turnover – DB Grayland Arnold intercepts QB Max Duggan