Baylor didn’t need perfect health to put together a convincing 44-3 win over Prairie View A&M, and that showed in how the Bears handled every phase of the game. With some key players sidelined, the overall result still came with plenty to like - especially on defense and special teams.
At quarterback, Nate Bennett got the start while DJ Lagway continued to recover from a sprained ankle, and he delivered a strong outing despite the two interceptions. Bennett finished 23 of 35 for 301 yards, flashing the kind of arm talent that stood out whenever he had time to work. He looked comfortable in the pocket and hit several impressive throws.
Edward Griffin also saw action and went 2 of 6 with an interception. It wasn’t the cleanest debut, but it gave him valuable live reps.
The passing game had a clear headliner in Gavin Freeman, who continued to shine with 10 catches for 104 yards. Jayden McGowan added three receptions for 67 yards and has become one of the receivers stepping forward. Dre'lon Miller and Louis Brown IV each finished with one catch.
On the ground, Baylor piled up more than 200 rushing yards and got production from multiple backs. Dawson Pendergrass led the way with 69 yards, while Caden Knighten added 66. Michael Turner turned five carries into 41 yards, good for 8.2 yards per carry, and Ryelan Morris also had five attempts for 32 yards.
The offensive line had a mixed day overall, but it did enough to give Bennett protection and time to throw. The run game still has room to grow, though, and that was part of the message from Head Coach Dave Aranda.
He wants Baylor to be able to run the ball even when defenses know it’s coming, and he said the Bears are not there yet. Penalties from Asher Hale also need to be cleaned up.
Baylor’s tight ends contributed as well, combining for four catches and 44 yards. That was a step up from last week, and Florida transfer Tony Livingston chipped in with a 19-yard reception after a quieter debut.
Defensively, the Bears were dominant after the opening drive. The defensive line turned in another eye-catching performance, finishing with four sacks and holding Prairie View A&M to 36 rushing yards. Even after Devonte Tezino left early with an injury, the group’s depth showed through, and it remains one of Baylor’s biggest strengths through the first two games.
The linebackers helped squeeze the Panthers’ offense from the middle, playing a major role in limiting Prairie View A&M to 110 total yards.
The secondary did its part too, erasing the Panthers’ passing game. Prairie View A&M managed just 74 yards through the air on 27 pass attempts. There were no takeaways, but Baylor’s coverage was strong enough that it didn’t matter.
Special teams also delivered. Rhett Armstrong made 3 of 4 field goals, connecting from 46, 45, and 22 yards, and he was perfect on five extra points. Garrick Ponder added a blocked punt, giving Baylor another momentum play in a game that was already well in hand.
In Other News...
Baylors Defensive Front Suddenly Has A Serious New Problem
Baylors defensive front took an early hit in Saturdays game against Prairie View A&M, when defensive tackle Devonte Tezino went down with a leg injury on the opening drive and had to be carted off the field. The setback quickly turned into a season-long loss, with head coach Dave Aranda confirming after the game that Tezino will miss the rest of the year.
For a defense already operating without senior safety Jacob Redding, who tore his ACL before the season, Tezinos absence adds another layer of concern inside the unit. Baylor now has to sort out how to absorb the loss of a defensive tackle who was expected to matter in the middle, and the timing only makes the challenge more complicated as the schedule moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Offense Faces One Big Test After Nate Bennetts First Start
Dave Aranda had plenty to sort through after Baylors win over Prairie View A&M, and the offense was a natural place to start. Nate Bennett made his first collegiate start at quarterback, and Aranda pointed to the work that led up to it as much as the snap-to-snap experience itself. The Bears got a look at what Bennett can bring in a real game setting, while also continuing to sort out how the unit fits together around him.
Aranda also touched on receiver Jayden McGowan, whose arrival at Baylor came with some physical recovery still in the background after surgery. His status matters because the Bears are still integrating him into the offense, and that makes his progress part of the bigger picture as Baylor looks for more consistency. Bennetts debut offered some encouraging signs, but there is still room for the offense to clean up a few things as the competition level rises. [Read more 🡒]
No. 17 Baylor Faces A Final Nonconference Test Before Big 12 Play
Before Big 12 play begins, No. 17 Baylor gets one last nonconference tune-up at the Case Soccer Complex, and it comes against an Oral Roberts team that has done plenty to earn attention of its own. The Bears are 6-1 and riding a four-match winning streak, which gives this matchup a little more weight than a typical late nonconference date as Baylor looks to keep sharpening itself for the league grind ahead.
Oral Roberts arrives unbeaten at 6-0-2, making for a tricky final test before the schedule flips. Baylor will also lean on the steady play it has gotten in goal from Azul Alvarez, whose work has helped stabilize the back line during the winning run, even if the Golden Eagles have already made this series feel more competitive than most would expect. [Read more 🡒]