2 weeks Ago
Three quick takeaways from Baylor’s 38-28 homecoming win over Oklahoma State Saturday at McLane Stadium: Establishing the run is a cliché for a reason Saturday was Baylor’s first 300-yard rushing game since 2021. Dawson Pendergrass was at the head of that line, rushing for a career-high 142 yards and finishing with one touchdown, a 55-yard run where he somehow wasn’t tackled that proved to be the back-breaker for the Cowboys. Not to be outdone, Bryson Washington finished with a team-high 17 rushes for 78 yards, and Richard Reese had six carries for 52 yards.
Even quarterback Sawyer Robertson continues to show off his athleticism, rushing eight times for 73 yards and a touchdown, his fourth of the season. Oklahoma State vs. Baylor Highlights | 2024 Big 12 Football // via Big 12 Conference on YouTube Lots of credit should also go to the offensive line.
A group that was much maligned after an underwhelming season last year and a slow start to the season, they have found something with the current group. Following up the game against Texas Tech, this is back-to-back games where the Bears have established the ground game and won. It's crazy what happens when you do that.
The Iceman cometh Matt Jones is so important to the Baylor defense. He and Garmon Randolph have both struck around since the last coaching regime and have grown into key leaders for Dave Aranda’s defense. Jones, playing in the last homecoming game of his Baylor career, finished with three tackles for loss to give him 34 on his career, which moves him into the Top 10 in All-Time TFLs in program history.
Not only did he make an impact with his play, finishing with 12 total tackles, but he was clearly bringing energy, routinely getting in the face of Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon. There’s a reason why he was the only player with a leftover single-digit jersey number and why he’s the one with the radio communication directly with Aranda. Aranda took a hands-on approach with the Baylor defense, and specifically the inside linebackers, this season.
Jones is reaping the rewards. Baylor showed it can finish a game off The season-opening loss to Texas State last season feels like it was a decade ago. The Bears suffered through a tough season last year, and Aranda was at a crossroads when that campaign came to a close.
The school listened to the changes he wanted to make and gave him what he needed to do so. Very clearly, the players are behind him, too. Saturday was the first conference win for the Bears since Oct.
10, 2022, when they beat Kansas. That season was also the last time they won back-to-back games since later that season. Baylor is back to .
500 and playing with a lot of confidence. With three of their four remaining games against teams that are currently below .500, there’s a reason to be optimistic in Waco.
Baylor Chamber of Commerce students thread an inflatable bear through the trees along Austin Avenue in downtown Waco during Saturday's parade. Baylor Homecoming Queen Anna Kate Elkins waves from her carriage while riding down Austin Avenue at the start of Saturday's annual homecoming parade. Kappa Omega Tau won first place in the parade float competition with its "Santa Claws Workshop" creation, based on Baylor's annual Christmas on Fifth Street event.
Kids reach for free candy during the Baylor homecoming parade in downtown Waco on Saturday. The Eternal Flame is carried down Austin Avenue, where hundreds of people lined the downtown parade route that ended on the Baylor University campus. Mia Pavelka, 4 months, gets a photo with an inflatable Baylor Bear in downtown Waco at the start of the annual homecoming parade on Saturday.
Baylor Line students walk with an inflatable past Fountain Mall during Saturday's homecoming parade. International students carrying flags and dressed in colorful clothing to represent various countries make their way through the Baylor University campus during Saturday's annual homecoming parade. Waco Civic Theatre cast members from an upcoming production of "Alice in Wonderland Jr.
" walk past Fountain Mall on the Baylor University campus during the homecoming parade. Members of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band perform in Saturday's homecoming parade in downtown Waco. The annual parade dates back to 1909.
Young Bears fans at Baylor's Fountain Mall check out the parade sights and anticipate free candy on Saturday. Future Baylor cheerleaders watch the sights of the homecoming parade on campus. A Trib reader sent us this shot from Saturday's Baylor Homecoming parade.
Baylor Chamber of Commerce students guide an inflatable bear through downtown Waco during Saturday's parade. Mia Pavelka, 4 months, gets a photo with an inflatable Baylor Bears at the start of Saturday's annual homecoming parade in downtown Waco. International students carrying flags and dressed in colorful clothing to represent various countries make their way through the Baylor University campus during Saturday's annual homecoming parade.
International students carrying flags and dressed in colorful clothing to represent various countries make their way through the Baylor University campus during Saturday's annual homecoming parade. International students give a "sic ’em" while parading past the Bill Daniel Student Center on Baylor campus, lined with crowds during Saturday's homecoming parade. Members of the Noze Brotherhood parade pass out copies of The Rope near Fountain Mall during Saturday's Baylor homecoming parade.
Members of the Noze Brotherhood parade pass out copies of The Rope near Fountain Mall during Saturday's Baylor homecoming parade. Baylor Homecoming Queen Anna Kate Elkins takes a golf cart to her carriage before the start of Saturday's homecoming parade in downtown Waco. Be the first to know Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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