Last-second FG keeps Baylor perfect, now 5-0
Baylor never led against Iowa State until it mattered.
The Bears kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to beat the Cyclones 45-42 after rallying from a 14-point deficit in the second half.
Iowa State jumped out to a 21-7 lead late in the first quarter and continued to keep its distance from the Bears throughout. Not only did the Cyclones score on their only four possessions of the first half, they managed to tame the vaunted Baylor offense by whittling down the clock and playing tough defense. Baylor got a late touchdown at the end of the first half to cut the lead to 28-21, but Iowa State opened with a touchdown to push the lead back up to 14.
However, the only Big 12 team with an unblemished record wasn’t going away. Baylor matched the Cyclones touchdown-for-touchdown in the third quarter and finally got back-to-back stops in the fourth quarter that opened the door for two touchdowns that would tie the score. Iowa State had an opportunity to whittle down the clock and march down the field for a game-winning score when it got the ball back with about six minutes remaining in the game, but managed to keep possession for just 1:33 before punting back to the Bears. Baylor used Iowa State’s strategy against it as the Bears, led by running back Shock Linwood and quarterback Seth Russell, ran the ball 13 times in 17 plays to set up Chris Callahan for the 19-yard game-winning field goal.
It was a bit of redemption for Callahan, who was suspended during last week’s game against Oklahoma State for shoving a teammate who made fun of his two missed field goals against Rice. Callahan was called on for just one kick against the Cyclones, and it was the most important kick of the Bears’ season to-date.
Baylor, which came into the game ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press poll, will continue to be the Big 12’s bell cow in what has otherwise been a dismal season. Whether that’s a positive thing for the conference’s image given the off-field issues for the Bears this offseason is up for debate.
More college football from Yahoo Sports:
For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.
For more Iowa State news, visit CycloneReport.com.
– – – – – – –
Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
