WACO, TX — The Longhorns fell to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 play as they let another one slip away, this time to the Baylor Bears. The Bears stacked the box and forced quarterback Casey Thompson beat them with his arm, something that ultimately didn’t materialize. Joshua Moore had several critical drops, including a fumble, and Texas ultimately couldn’t defend a lead and outmatch the Baylor defense for four quarters.
Bijan Robinson was a non-factor in the game, rushing for just 43 yards on 17 carries and Casey Thompson finished with 280 yards passing and two touchdowns.
While the offense had its share of struggles, the defensive issues continued to manifest themselves, particularly late in the game. Texas held ground against Gerry Bohanon and the Baylor offense during the first half, but once again the dam broke and the Longhorns were gassed and overpowered by the Bear run-game.
Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon finished the day 18/31 for 222 yards and had a rushing touchdown. The Bears collectively rushed for 199 yards compared the the Longhorns’ 102 yards.
The loss was the third straight for the Longhorns and the third against a Top-20 ranked opponent this season.
Texas will travel to Ames, Iowa next weekend to face a ranked Iowa State team.
Game Recap
BJ Foster picked off Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon on the second play of the game, setting up a 10-yard touchdown pass from Casey Thompson to Joshua Moore. The Longhorns jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead over the Bears with 12:34 remaining in the first quarter. The lead lasted just five minutes as Baylor marched 75 yards downfield on the ensuing possession and used Tyquan Thornton on an end-around, throwing a touchdown pass to RJ Sneed.
After Casey Thompson was sacked and Texas went three & out deep in their own territory on their next possession, Baylor was on the move again. The Bears pushed the Texas defense around on the next drive, but it was the Longhorns who stopped the Bears on third down forcing Isaiah Hankins to kick a 38-yard field goal to give Baylor a 10-7 lead with :56 left in the first quarter.
Casey Thompson notched his second passing touchdown of the game on the Longhorns’ next possession, hitting Xavier Worth in-stride for 63 yards and the score and taking just half a minute off the clock. After one quarter Texas held a 14-10 lead over Baylor.
The Longhorns held the Baylor offense in-check once again on the next drive, forcing the Bears and Hankins to attempt a 51-yard field goal. Hankins’ kick sailed wide left and Texas took over on offense at their own 41-yard line.
Both teams turned the ball over on downs on their next possessions.
A reception and fumble by Joshua Moore gave Baylor the ball back at their own 29-yard line at the 6:06 mark in the second quarter.
Texas held Baylor again and forced Isaac Power to punt, the first for Baylor on the day.
With :27 left on the halftime clock, Texas linebacker Luke Brockermeyer intercepted Gerry Bohanon, setting up the Longhorns at the Baylor 34-yard line.
The Longhorns’ hopes of scoring before the half were dashed when Casey Thompson’s intended pass for Joshua Moore was tipped by Moore and intercepted by Baylor’s JT Woods. Bohnnon took a shot downfield as the clock expired and the pas fell incomplete.
At the half Texas took a 14-10 lead into the locker room.
On the opening drive in the second half Bijan Robinson rushed three snaps for nine yards. Texas elected to go for it on fourth and one and snapped it straight to Roschon Johnson who converted into Baylor territory. After then converting on third down and driving the ball downfield, Texas was faced with another fourth and one at the Baylor 1-yard line. Bijan Robinson took Casey Thompson’s handoff into the end zone for his first touchdown of the game, extending the Longhorns’ lead to 21-10.
The Bears were in a similar situation on the ensuing possession, facing a 4th and 5 at the Texas 20-yard line. Gerry Bohanon found RJ Sneed for 14 yards setting the Bears up at the Texas 6-yard line. Two plays later Bohanon would punch it in on a keeper, trimming the Texas lead to 21-17.
On their next offensive possession, Bohanon found tight end Ben Sims for 28 yards, setting Baylor up at the Texas 15 yard line. Sims capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive with a one yard touchdown rush to give the Bears a 24-21 lead with 12:48 left on the game clock.
Texas couldn’t answer and instead opted to fake a punt on 4th & 11 at midfield. Cameron Dicker was stopped well-short of the first down marker and the Longhorns turned the ball over on downs.
Baylor made Texas pay again, this time courtesy of Abram Smith’s 32 yard rushing touchdown to extend the Bears’ lead to 31-21.
With all the momentum on the Baylor side, Texas put together a 10-play, 66-yard drive that resulted in a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. With 4:40 on the game clock Baylor held a 31-24 lead.
With 2:07 left, Texas passed the ball four times, failing to convert on fourth down and turned the ball over on downs again to Baylor. The Bears were able to run the remaining clock out en route to a 31-24 victory.
