Baylor clinches spot in Big 12 Championship game with win over Texas, 24-10

WACO, Texas – The Baylor Bears dominated the Texas Longhorns 24-10 to move to 10-1 on the season and clinch a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.

Shot out of the gate: To the surprise of just about everyone who has watched a Baylor game this season, punter Isaac Power showed out in the first half. Power had 4 punts for a total of 188 yards, for an average of 47 yards per punt. In addition, he had 3 punts inside the 6 yard line. His first punt went for 52 yards before it was downed at the 6 yard line. The other two were downed at the 2 and the 4 yard line. A punter shooting out of the gate really just tells the story of a sluggish start to this game.

Struggled: There were not many players that struggled throughout the game. If I were to name one, I would say Chris Platt, simply because of his fumble on the first drive of the game. It killed all the momentum for the Bears. They were on the brink of starting the game out with a bang before Platt fumbled near the end zone. They couldn’t seem to get much of anything going after that until the offense caught fire in the second half.

Decisive Moment: With the Bears up 21-3 and their previous meltdown against Oklahoma behind them, Grayland Arnold intercepted Sam Ehlinger and returned it for 26 yards at the beginning of the 4th quarter. This play helped the Bears hold on to their significant lead and secure the victory.

MVP: Have a day, Denzel Mims. It seemed like Mims made an exceptional play every other drive. The Longhorns could not find an answer for him, as he even forced a few penalties. He finished with 7 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. Without his performance, this very well might have been a defensive battle to the end. His big plays in the second half truly helped the Bears gain a lead and dominate the Longhorns.

Key stat: The Texas Longhorns scored 10 points. I cannot stress this enough, but Baylor’s defense continues to show exactly why they should be considered as one of the best in the country. Aside from a 68-yard run from Keaontay Ingram, the Longhorns had just 323 yards. Their only touchdown of the game came in a garbage time drive with 40 seconds left in the game. Clearly, they were consistently able to move at least move the ball as they had 21 first downs. However, the Bears holding the Longhorns to 10 points is a testament to how they make the big plays when they count. Texas was 4 of 13 on third downs and 0 for 2 on fourth downs.

Game Notes:

• Before the game, the Baylor Bears were 26-76-4 all-time against the Texas Longhorns.
• The last time Baylor beat Texas was in 2014, when the Bears were ranked 7th and took down the unranked Longhorns 28-7 in Austin.
• Baylor had never taken down Texas at McLane stadium. 
• Heading into the game, a ranked Baylor had a 5-6 record against an unranked Texas team all-time.

Game Summary

First Quarter

14:31 BAY: Turnover – DB D’Shawn Jamison forces WR Chris Platt fumble, DB Chris Brown recovers

Second Quarter

14:51 BAY: TD – RB John Lovett 28-yard run: Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:51 – Baylor 7 – Texas 0

0:05 UT: FG – K Cameron Dicker makes 48-yard field goal: Drive: 2 plays, 68 yards, 0:18 – Baylor 7 – Texas 3

Third Quarter

7:36 BAY: TD – QB Charlie Brewer 1-yard run: Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 4:33 – Baylor 14 – Texas 3

1:20 BAY: TD – WR Denzel Mims 12-yard reception: Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:19 – Baylor 21 – Texas 3

Fourth Quarter

14:40 UT: Turnover – DB Grayland Arnold intercepts QB Sam Ehlinger, returns for 26-yards

10:57 BAY: FG – K John Mayers makes 24-yard field goal: Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 3:43 – Baylor 24 – Texas 3

0:01 UT: TD – RB Daniel Young 4-yard run: Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 0:42 – Baylor 24 – Texas 10