Baylor, Ebner drop Kansas 47-14 in debut of head coach Dave Aranda
WACO, Texas — Baylor football is back. And Trestan Ebner is healthy.
After Kansas running back Pooka Williams scored the first points of the game on a 21-yard run in the first quarter, Baylor settled into their new schemes and dominated Kansas in head coach Dave Aranda’s debut as a head coach with a 47-14 victory at McLane Stadium in Waco on Saturday evening.
The score by Williams at the 11:29 mark of the first quarter was follow by 40-unanswered points by Baylor’s offense, including a whopping four touchdowns by senior running back Ebner. Ebner’s four scores came on the ground, through the air and twice on kick returns.
Ebner, who has battled nagging injuries throughout his career, played the best overall game of his career as he finished with nine carries for 36 yards and a touchdown and two receptions for 53 yards and another score. His kick returns for scores covered 183 yards including a 100-yard return to open the second half.
Williams’ broke the point streak by Baylor with his second score of the game in the fourth quarter. The junior finished the game with 13 carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively Baylor was led by junior linebacker Terrel Bernard and sophomore defensive lineman TJ Franklin. Bernard collected 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss among his eight total tackles while Fanklin registered a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. As a team Baylor tallied 4.0 sacks and 10.0 tackles for loss.
Pairing up with Ebner during his career night was Baylor’s leading rusher, senior John Lovett. Lovett carried the ball 17 times for 78 yards and a score of his own. Joining Ebner and Lovett, redshirt freshman Craig “Sqwirl” Williams found the end zone as he carried five times for 62 yards. Williams scored from 26 yards out, Baylor’s final score of the game.
Senior quarterback Charlie Brewer, who finished the game in a knee brace on his right leg after briefly exiting the game in the first half, completed 15-of-23 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Baylor’s offense finished the game with 352 total yards on 67 plays. Baylor surpassed 200 rushing yards and scored three times on the ground. Kansas finished the game 328 total yards on 76 plays.
Baylor returns to action next Saturday on the road in a game against West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and the contest will be aired live on ABC.