Plays that crippled the Cowboys’ defense in Baylor loss
— With 25 seconds left in the third quarter against Baylor on Saturday, the Oklahoma State defense had allowed only one touchdown. But Baylor scored on each of its final three possessions to pull the unlikely 35-31 upset of the Cowboys at McLane Stadium.
OSU’s defensive collapse was a combination of penalties, missed tackles and players getting out of position. But here’s a look at three plays in particular that crippled the Cowboys:
John Lovett 75-yard TD run
Time: 0:25, third quarter Situation: Baylor ball at its 25,
first-and-10
The play: Baylor had three wide receivers to the left and a tight end on the right, with one back, John Lovett, next to Charlie Brewer, who was taking his first snap of the game at quarterback. Lovett took a handoff going slightly toward the right side of the formation.
OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles had a cornerback blitz called specifically for a run play to that side of the field. A.J. Green zipped in from the edge, but was too deep in the backfield. Lovett stepped forward as Green dove, then sidestepped to his right. The left side of the Baylor line pulled to the right, closing off OSU’s defensive front.
Lovett had only one player in his way. OSU safety Malcolm Rodriguez did his best to slow the elusive back, but there was too much open field around him. One move, and Lovett was gone, cutting OSU’s lead to 24-21.
Brewer scramble and Bundage penalty
Time: 6:35, fourth quarter
Situation: Baylor ball at OSU 45, second-and-4
The play: Brewer looked to pass to his right, but OSU’s Enoch Smith Jr. had circled around and was charging at Brewer. He sprinted left, but pursuit forced him out of bounds a yard short of the first down.
But just after Brewer’s foot came down out of bounds, OSU linebacker Calvin Bundage gave Brewer a hard twohanded shove that drew a 15-yard personal foul penalty. Instead of facing third-and-1, Baylor had a first down.
Two plays later, Brewer hit Jalen Hurd for a 36-yard touchdown to pull Baylor within 31-28 with 5:43 to play.
Rodriguez pass interference
Time: 0:38, fourth quarter
Situation: Baylor ball at OSU 23, second-and-10
The play: Baylor’s Marques Jones, lined up as the farthest inside receiver among the three lined up wide right, ran a corner route. Rodriguez made contact with him about 6 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and was flagged for pass interference.
It gave Baylor a first down at the OSU 8. Two plays later, Baylor scored the game-winning touchdown. While the contact by Rodriguez was clear, it occurred before the pass had been thrown, meaning it should have been a lesser penalty for illegal contact or defensive holding, neither of which is a 15-yard foul. Baylor still would’ve had 33 seconds to score, but the field position might’ve changed the play calls.