K-State Hanging With Baylor, Down 7-0 But One Yard From End Zone

Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Well, a couple days ago I said Baylor would be held to 35 points today. While most teams would take that number, I was the happy recipient of much vitriol from Baylor fans who couldn’t believe how much I had disrespected their Bears. Well, so far, it’s K-State that’s looked more dominant.

Baylor came into Saturday a big favorite in Vegas, and even bigger favorite in the eyes of everyone in the nation, and started the game looking to score at the same torrid pace it’s done all year by taking the opening kick-off to it’s own 41-yard line. Then, after an incomplete pass on first down, Bryce Petty found Antwan Goodley for a 31-yard reception to the K-State 28. That’s when the K-State defense decided it wasn’t going to be run over today.

Baylor still scored seven on the drive. But the Bears had to work for it, and got some help. Lache Seastrunk, who gashed K-State last year, fumbled the ball and recovered, but not before losing three yards. After a short pass Baylor was forced to call a time out, unable to get the play off. K-State had the Bears stopped, breaking up the play on 3rd-and-11 to force fourth down, but a personal foul on Randall Evans gave Baylor another shot. Baylor then drove to the K-State one and Glasco Martin was stopped three straight times, putting Baylor facing fourth and goal. Bryce Petty ran a hurry-up sneak and K-State was unable to stop him, but still made a statement: we don’t get beat. We only beat ourselves.

To the surprise of many, Jake Waters received the start (and ran the ball for five yards on the first play). He then completed two short passes in a row, and John Hubert got the next two calls for big runs as K-State was clicking on all cylinders for the best opening drive of the year. The offensive line was dominating unlike it had up to this point in the season. On 4th-and-one at the Baylor line K-State face a critical test and went for it, but John Hubert was stood up and Baylor got the ball back up 7-0

Getting the ball back, Baylor had two huge runs. However, the Bears could not pick up another first down and were forced to punt after not attempting a single punt last week against West Virginia. With Tyler Lockett holding a clipboard on the sidelines, Ty Zimmerman downed the punt.

Daniel Sams came in for the next series, continuing the pattern of unpredictable personnel. He had a beautiful 21-yard run to get the Wildcats close the 50, and another to get into Baylor territory with a horse collar to put K-State on the 24. Sams has dominated the Bears defense, and has the Wildcats at the one yard line at the end of the first. One more yard, and this game is tied at seven. K-State leading Baylor in rushing, 98-39.