How did the rest of the Big 12 fare in week 1?
Well, that was a fun weekend of college football. Okay, maybe not if you’re a fan of a Big 12 team not named Texas, Kansas State, Texas Tech, or TCU. Though the conference went 9-1 on the first big weekend of college football, it was a struggle to get there for most of the conference.
Despite playing FCS and Group of Five members, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Iowa State, and Kansas all struggled to pick up wins in their season openers.
West Virginia was just one of two conference members to play a member of the Power Five and wasn’t able to pick up the win over Maryland. Kansas State, the other team locked in a Power Five battle beat Stanford by 17 starting the third season of the Chris Klieman era with a big win.
The only battle between ranked opponents pitted Texas vs Louisiana, and Texas was one of the few teams in the league that made their win look easy. They got up 14 to 6 by halftime and extended that lead in the third quarter to 16 points. The Texas defense held the Ragin’ Cajuns to 2.6 yards per carry and just 4 of 13 on third down. Hudson Card was solid in his debut, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for one.
Texas Tech knocked off Houston in a matchup that sounds like it will be a conference game in the near future. Tyler Shough was efficient, completing 17 of 24 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown, but it Tahj Brooks and Erik Ezukanama who stole the show for the Red Raiders. Brooks had 134 yards on 15 carries and 2 touchdowns. Ezukanama caught seven passes for 179 yards, averaging 25.6 yards per reception.
Iowa State is probably the most surprising result of the weekend as the struggled with Northern Iowa and were actually losing in the early going of that game.
It was a weird weekend start to finish for the Big 12, but again, as a conference, they finished 9-1.
Let’s take a look at the Big 12 scoreboard from week 1.
Kansas 17, South Dakota 14
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
This was the one game the Kansas Jayhawks might have a shot to win in 2021 and it took a touchdown in the final four minutes to take the lead and hold off FCS South Dakota. Quarterback Jason Bean led the way for the Jayhawks, completing 17 of 26 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 15 times for 54 yards. It's going to be an uphill battle for Kansas all year long, but at least they got one win in Lance Leipold's first season.
Kansas State 24, Stanford 7
Sep 4, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn (22) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Maryland 30, West Virginia 24
Sep 4, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) escapes the pocket and pressure from West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker VanDarius Cowan (8) during the second quarter at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
#7 Iowa State 16, Northern Iowa 10
Sep 4, 2021; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Breece Hall (28) pushes off Northern Iowa Panthers defensive back Omar Brown (24) in the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
#21 Texas 38, #18 Louisiana 18
Sep 4, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Hudson Card (1) throws a pass against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Tech 38, Houston 21
Sep 4, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough (12) reacts after rushing for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor 29, Texas State 20
Sep 4, 2021; San Marcos, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) throws a pass against Texas State Bobcats linebacker Markeveon Coleman (7) at Bobcat Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
TCU 45, Duquesne 3
Sep 4, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) passes against the Duquesne Dukes during the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma State 23, Missouri State 16
Sep 4, 2021; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Bryson Green (19) catches a pass as Missouri State Bears cornerback Montrae Braswell (4) defends during the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State Cowboys beat Missouri State Bears 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
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