Baylor Falls to Iowa State 28-14

Baylor (5-5, 3-4) fell to Iowa State (6-3, 5-2) 28-14. Baylor takes on TCU next Saturday in Waco. We’ll know the time of that game tomorrow.

The Bears were doomed by their inability to convert in the red zone. On Baylor’s first three drives, they reached the red zone. Each time they failed to score. Christoph Henle drew a holding penalty, and Baylor ended up at the 30. They tried to punt, and unfortunately, Drew Galitz barely punted it over the pylon. Iowa State took over and scored. On the next two drives, Baylor stalled in the red zone. Connor Martin missed 31 yard and 29 yard field goals. He’s missed six of his last 10 kicks. On one drive, Baylor appeared to have scored on a Charlie Brewer sneak. But the booth claimed they had signaled for a review before the snap. That led to a replay of a Marques Jones non-catch. Time is a little different in Ames.

Baylor couldn’t stop Brock Purdy most of the day. The Cyclones quarterback started 6-of-6 on third down. His elusiveness bothered Baylor all day, which helped him pick up first downs. The Cyclones led 20-0.

A fight broke out after Iowa State’s wide receiver stood on a Baylor corner. Greg Roberts then threw a punch at David Montgomery, over a referee. That resulted in his ejection. It also led to an unsportsmanlike penalty for every Bear on the field.

Baylor struck back and pushed it to 28-14. Denzel Mims and Pooh Stricklin caught touchdown passes at the back of the end zone.

Baylor stopped Iowa State and started driving. Unfortunately Charlie Brewer picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for arguing about a non-called late hit by Iowa State. On a list of good calls, you would not find that decision. It was everything wrong with a sport where subjectivity reigns about what is a catch and what is anything. That was his second such penalty because of the earlier one against the team.

Jalan McClendon came in and hit Hurd for a first down on 3rd and 16. He nearly threw a pick on second down. His next two throws ended up short, and Baylor never seriously threatened again.

The Bears showed they were close in this game. If their offensive line were a little better, or if they had more speed at linebacker, Baylor might have won this game. This team didn’t quite have the talent to get away with playing poorly in major stretches.

Baylor didn’t have to win this game to make a bowl game. They have two more chances to do that. Next week against TCU—a reeling team that just was blown out by West Virginia—figures to be the best shot.