Baylor didn’t just beat Arizona State. It put together the kind of performance that makes people stop and look twice.
The Bears rolled to a 55-19 win, stretched their winning streak to four games, and backed up the kind of chatter that had been building around them. DJ Lagway delivered the best passing day of his career, throwing four touchdown passes in a blowout that felt like Baylor’s most impressive showing in recent memory.
What stood out first was how quickly the offense took control. Baylor scored touchdowns on three of its first four drives, and by halftime the Bears had already piled up 24 points.
That kind of start was not something many would have expected, especially after the way this offense had looked earlier in the season. But once Baylor stayed clean with the penalties and committed to the run, everything started to open up.
The ground game looked completely different. Baylor finished with 241 rushing yards, a number that speaks volumes about the work up front.
The offensive line, which had been a major issue to begin the season, turned in four full quarters of steady play and helped change the shape of the game. It looked like something had finally clicked.
That was true for the passing game too. The Lagway/Freeman connection stayed sharp, and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital appeared to have the playbook fully open.
The Bears mixed in creative run blocking and effective red zone passing, and the result was an offense that scored on 9 of 13 drives. Spavital kept giving Lagway chances all night, even after a few overthrows on fade routes, and it eventually paid off with confidence and production.
Baylor’s tight ends also made a real impact. Hawkins Polley and Tony Livingston each caught touchdowns, giving the Bears another layer in the red zone.
The receivers may still handle the biggest share of the yardage, but having big targets who can finish drives is a valuable weapon. Those tight ends were also part of the run-blocking effort, which was a major step forward from the previous week.
On defense, Baylor stayed in control early with a strong showing and a few fortunate breaks that helped keep Arizona State from settling in. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman continued to steer things well, blitzing Boley and never letting him find a rhythm.
For Baylor, the formula was clear: protect the football, run it with authority, and let Lagway work. Against Arizona State, it all came together. Now the challenge is carrying that momentum through the bye week and into the rest of the season.
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Dave Aranda Finally Had A Baylor Answer For The Critics
Baylors win over Arizona State offered a little bit of everything the Bears have been looking for under Dave Aranda, starting with an offense that finally looked capable of carrying the day. The 55-point outburst gave the program a jolt after plenty of outside criticism, and Aranda made clear afterward that hes more interested in how his team responds than in whether opponents are polite along the way.
Ryelan Morris gave that response some real punch. The freshmans 63-yard touchdown run changed the feel of the game and put a spotlight on the kind of burst Baylor has been waiting to see from its younger players. For a coach who has spent plenty of time answering questions, it was the sort of day that at least hinted at a cleaner, louder answer still to come. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Heads Into TCU With Real Momentum After Another Statement Win
Baylor rolled into Mountain America Stadium and kept its surge going with a 55-19 rout of Arizona State, extending its winning streak to four games and sharpening the sense that this team has found its footing. DJ Lagway was central to it all, throwing four touchdown passes and adding another on the ground, while the Bears defense continued to do work on the other side of the ball by holding ASU to 20 points or less for the fifth straight game.
The result gives Baylor a real sense of momentum as it heads into the TCU matchup, where the stakes figure to rise quickly. Wins like this do more than pad a record, because they reinforce the kind of balance Baylor wants heading into a tougher stretch, with the offense producing in bursts and the defense setting a steady tone. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Fans Got The Breakout Performance They'd Been Waiting For
Baylors win over Arizona State gave the Bears the kind of balanced performance fans have been waiting to see, with the offense finally stringing together explosive plays and the defense controlling the game from start to finish. DJ Lagway delivered a breakout afternoon at quarterback, throwing four touchdown passes and piling up 306 passing yards, while Gavin Freeman kept the chains moving with seven catches for 115 yards.
The ground game added its own jolt when freshman back Morris broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown and finished with 84 yards on just nine carries, giving Baylor another dimension beyond the passing attack. On the other side of the ball, the Bears were just as sharp, producing three sacks, two fumble recoveries and six tackles for loss while holding Arizona State under 100 rushing yards, the kind of complete effort that can change how a team looks moving forward. [Read more 🡒]