Baylor University delivered an impressive performance against the University of Kansas, defeating the Jayhawks 45-17 at McLane Stadium. Despite this victory, Baylor’s chances of reaching the Big 12 Championship Game were dashed following wins by both Colorado and Arizona State. The Bears finished their regular season strong, marking their sixth consecutive win and ending with an overall record of 8-4 and 6-3 in the conference.
Baylor’s standout player, a freshman, threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 192 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season. This achievement set a new freshman record for the Bears. Leading by 21-10 at halftime, Baylor scored touchdowns on their first three drives of the second half, quickly extending their lead to 42-17 against a Kansas team that had recently defeated three ranked opponents.
In total, the Bears racked up a season-high 603 yards of total offense, featuring two rushers and two receivers each surpassing the 100-yard mark. The running backs showed their strength, with key contributions from players who scored multiple touchdowns. Baylor’s quarterback, Robertson, had an exceptional first half, completing his first ten passes and amassing 199 yards along with three touchdown passes, further solidifying his impact on the game.
Kansas’s Devin Neal was a notable performer for the Jayhawks, rushing for 133 yards and one touchdown, while quarterback Jalon Daniels completed 12 of his 23 passes for 280 yards, though he faced two interceptions.
As for Baylor, they are set to learn their bowl destination soon, marking a significant achievement by qualifying for a bowl game for the 13th time in the last 16 years and for the third time in five years under their current head coach.
This positive end to the regular season positions Baylor favorably for the future as they look to build on this momentum in the upcoming bowl game, reinforcing a hopeful outlook for the program.