Baylor Beats Kansas 26-7

Charlie Brewer secured the starting quarterback job in the first half and led Baylor to a 26-7 win over Kansas. Baylor is now 3-1 and will take on Oklahoma at 2:30 next Saturday. That one will air on ABC.

After not scoring on their first drive, Kansas soon learned they wouldn’t stop Brewer much longer. He destroyed Kansas in the first half and played the entire period. He finished the half 11-of-14 for 151 yards and three touchdowns. He added 58 yards on the ground. Kansas tried to all-out blitz him, but even then, he picked up a big first down with his legs. Brewer played every series until Baylor led by 19 with 3:35 remaining. Jalan McClendon came in and threw a strike to Jalen Hurd. That pass happened after David Beaty elected to punt on 4th and 9 rather than try and give his team any chance to win the game.

Baylor’s defense came to play in the first half. Pooka Williams entered the game as Pro Football Focus’ top running back. He finished the first half with 16 yards on nine carries. Phil Snow mixed coverages and the Jayhawks couldn’t get anything going on the ground. They finished the half with zero rushing yards and just 48 passing yards. And they joined most of the world in experiencing a James Lynch sack.

The freshmen had quite a day. Josh Fleeks made a nice catch, then overpowered KU’s defense for a first down. Not long after, he grabbed a big touchdown:

J.T. Woods was right where he needed to be. He missed a pick-six on KU’s opening drive, but he notched a giant sack that led to a missed KU field goal.

Ty Thornton looks like a star. He came alive against Duke last week and told Kansas that we’re still not sure what exactly a Jayhawks is:

Pooka Williams finally had a big run for Kansas in the second half. He picked up 72 yards, after Baylor failed to tackle him at the second level. James Houston ran him down to avoid a touchdown. But three plays later Peyton Bender hit Jeremiah Booker for a touchdown.

JaMycal Hasty answered for Baylor. He missed the first half because of a suspension due to his role in a “fight” against TCU lasts season. On third down, he made a nice block which keyed a big Brewer run. Then he picked up 38 yards on the ground. That drive ended in a field goal that put Baylor up 26-7.

Xavier Newman injured his leg and did not return. He played very well lasts week and this week, so he’d be a giant loss for the team.

Kansas seemed set to score again. The Jayhawks decided to go for it on 4th and 9 near the redzone. Grayland Arnold made a giant hit that stopped Kansas’ completion just short of a first down.

Baylor’s second half offense wasn’t great. The Bears scored just three points in the third quarter. Too often the Bears held and made drives more difficult. Shout-out to Drew Galitz for a 58 yard punt that was fair caught.

The Bears got the job done today. Kansas football is terrible, and Baylor absolutely had to win this game. This team has displayed enough problems—especially in the first half against Duke, and with their inability to not commit penalties—that maybe this is the final win of the season. But they flashed enough positive signs—especially in the first half—that this team might find a way to squeak out a bowl appearance.