No. 11 Baylor is back at Betty Lou Mays Field on Sunday, looking to build on its first win of the week when Cincinnati comes to Waco for a 1 p.m. CT kickoff.
The Bears topped Oklahoma State 2-1 on Thursday night, and now they get another home date as they continue a stretch that keeps them in front of their own fans. Sunday’s matchup also comes with Baylor’s Beat the Heat promotion, including a cooling towel giveaway while supplies last. As with every Baylor regular-season home match, admission is free.
The Bears enter the weekend tied for second in the Big 12 standings with Texas Tech, Kansas and BYU. All four teams have one win and one draw in conference play, sitting just behind Colorado and Houston, who each have two wins.
Baylor also remains highly positioned in the RPI, holding at No. 7, which is the best mark in the Big 12. Cincinnati is No. 160 in the unchanged rankings, placing the Bearcats third-to-last in the league ahead of Utah and Iowa State, two teams Baylor will not face this season.
History has tilted Cincinnati’s way so far. Baylor is still searching for its first win in the series, sitting at 0-1-1 since the Bearcats joined the Big 12 in 2023. The teams played to a 2-2 draw in Waco that fall, then Cincinnati knocked Baylor out of the Big 12 Tournament a few weeks later with a 3-2 victory.
Cincinnati comes in at 2-3-4 overall and is still chasing its first conference win. The Bearcats opened league play with a 1-1 draw against Kansas before falling 2-0 to Texas Tech in Lubbock in their most recent match. Their nonconference wins came against Eastern Kentucky and Northern Kentucky.
Tiana Campbell has been the main threat for Cincinnati, leading the team with four goals on a team-high 21 shots. Emma Gioffre has added two assists, and Amber Brandon has handled every minute in goal, posting a 0.89 GAA with 22 saves.
Baylor’s attack has been driven by Aryanna Jimison and Grace White, who are tied for the team lead with four goals apiece. Jimison and White have accounted for all four of the Bears’ game-winning goals. Theresa McCullough picked up her fifth assist of the season on Thursday night and has started five of Baylor’s 10 matches.
In goal, Azul Alvarez has played every minute this season, logging 900 minutes with 32 saves and a 1.00 GAA.
Sunday’s game is the second of three straight at home for Baylor, with the homestand wrapping up next Friday against Kansas at 7 p.m. CT.
In Other News...
Baylor Hit Leaves Colorado With One Big Early Big 12 Concern
DeAndre Moore Jr.s night ended in the kind of swing play that can linger well beyond one Saturday in September. The Colorado wide receiver was injured after a tackle from Baylor linebacker Travion Barnes, on a collision that included helmet-to-helmet contact, though officials did not throw a targeting flag. Moore was eventually ruled out at the start of the third quarter, a loss that immediately changed the feel of the matchup and left Colorado trying to adjust on the fly.
For the Buffaloes, the bigger worry is what it could mean as Big 12 play gets rolling. Depth at receiver is always under the microscope early in a season, and losing a player like Moore adds another layer of uncertainty to an offense trying to find its footing against league competition. Baylor will move on to the next snap, but Colorado is left with a concern that goes well beyond one hit. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Opened Big 12 Play With A Win And A Bigger Debate
Baylor opened Big 12 play with a 23-13 win over Colorado, stretching its winning streak to three games and getting DJ Lagway back on the field after his ankle injury. Even so, it was the kind of victory that left plenty to sort through. The defense did enough to tilt the game, creating pressure, recording sacks and coming away with a fumble recovery, while the offense had a harder time finding its footing behind penalties and inconsistency.
Dave Aranda has made the search for a cleaner performance a recurring theme, and this one fit that bill again. Baylor completed less than half its passes and never got the rushing attack rolling the way it wanted, which is why the margin of victory felt a little different from the final score. The Bears got the result they needed, but the bigger question now is how much better this group can look once the offense settles in around a quarterback still working through that ankle issue. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Finally Got A Big 12 Win But One Debate Isnt Over
Baylor finally broke through in Big 12 play with a win over Colorado, and there was plenty to like about how it happened. The Bears got impact work from across the roster, with the defense piling up five sacks, 13 tackles for loss and a forced fumble, while special teams added a spark through McGowans seven punt returns for 139 yards. Gavin Freeman also chipped in with six catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, giving the offense a much-needed complement on a day when the game never felt like it belonged to just one phase.
DJ Lagways first home game added another layer to the conversation. He completed 19 of 39 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, but his mobility looked limited after the ankle injury, which leaves Baylor with a decision to sort through even after the win. The result mattered most in the standings, but the bigger question now is how the Bears balance what they need from Lagway with what he can realistically provide as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]