Baylor answers naysayers, beats ranked Oklahoma
WACO, Texas — Bryce Petty threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more, Shock Linwood ran for 182 yards and sixth-ranked Baylor stayed undefeated by passing its first big test with a 41-12 victory over No. 10 Oklahoma on Thursday night.
Baylor (8-0, 5-0) scored twice in the final minute before halftime and stretched its school-record winning streak to 12 games since a loss at Oklahoma last November. The Bears are 8-0 for the first time.
“We’re just talented, man. We’re committed. I think that’s all you can say about it,” Petty said. “It’s a very special team.”
Even though Baylor came in leading the nation in scoring (64 points per game) and total offense (718 yards per game) — and was outscoring opponents by an average margin of 48 points — many questioned how good the Bears were after getting into November without playing a ranked team. They have now, and they responded with an impressive victory against a team that used to routinely overwhelm them.
“Our attitude was, ‘Take no prisoners.’ And we went out there and played lights out,” safety Ahmad Dixon said. “I hope this will change the outlook on our defense. I’m hoping this will change the outlook on our whole team. We knew the importance of this game. And we showed the sky’s the limit for us.”
Oklahoma (7-2, 4-2) has a 21-2 lead in the series, but both losses have come in its last two trips to Floyd Casey Stadium for prime-time games.
With running backs Lache Seastrunk and Glasco Martin getting banged up in the game, Linwood ran 23 times. The Bears also were missing top receiver Tevin Reese, who was without a catch before injuring his wrist and spending the second half on the sideline with his arm in a sling.
Coach Art Briles said Reese will miss the remainder of the regular season and “hopefully be back for the bowl game.”
Baylor trailed 5-3 after a strange sequence that started at the end of the first quarter when the Bears were penalized 38 yards on one play, and had a player’s ejection overturned before he made a touchdown-saving play.
After Petty scored on a 1-yard keeper with a minute to go in the first half, Oklahoma gave the ball right back when Blake Bell threw an interception right into the arms of linebacker Eddie Lackey at the Sooners 38.
Petty ran 14 yards on thirdand-10 before a double-pump throw to Antwan Goodley, whose Big 12-leading ninth TD catch was a spectacular grab with both arms fully extended. He held on for a 24yard play that put the Bears up 24-5 at halftime.
SUN BELT
Cajuns win again
LAFAYETTE, La. — Terrance Broadway threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores to help Louisiana-Lafayette beat Troy 4136 on Thursday night for its seventh consecutive victory.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (7-3, 4-0) stopped Troy (5-5, 3-3) on a fourth-and-goal play from the 4 with 2:01 left. Trevence Patt knocked away Corey Robinson’s pass to Eric Thomas in the end zone, and Louisiana-Lafayette was able to run out the clock.
SWAC
Alcorn St. wins big
LORMAN, Miss. — John Gibbs Jr. threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in Alcorn State’s 50-35 victory over Prairie View on Thursday night.
Gibbs was 24 of 43 for 265 yards and had 79 yards rushing on nine carries for the Braves (8-3, 6-2). In the first half, he threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Zerick Rollins Jr. and a 23-yarder to LaDarrien Davis and added a 15-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left.