Lagway, Baylor Survive Colorado Scare in 23-13 Win

Baylor Holds Off Late Rally

The Baylor Bears secured a hard-fought Big 12 victory on Saturday, defeating the visiting Colorado Buffaloes 23-13 at McLane Stadium. The win improves Baylor’s record to 3-1, while Colorado drops to 2-2 after falling short in Waco.

Scoring Breakdown

Colorado struck first with a three-point edge, taking a 3-0 lead into the second quarter on Elliott Arnold’s 24-yard field goal. The momentum shifted in Baylor’s favor during the middle period when Rhett Armstrong tied the game at 3-3 with a 37-yard field goal. However, DJ Lagway immediately answered by finding Gavin Freeman for a 3-yard touchdown pass, giving the Bears a 10-3 advantage.

Baylor extended its lead to 13-3 before the break. The third quarter saw Colorado chip away at the deficit. Rhett Armstrong added a 27-yard field goal to make it 13-6, followed by Arnold’s 46-yard kick that narrowed the gap to 13-9 heading into the final period.

Late Drama and Final Score

Colorado threatened to tie the game in the fourth quarter when Isaac Wilson connected with Joseph Williams on a 17-yard touchdown pass. With the score tied at 13-13, Baylor responded decisively. Lagway found Jadon Porter for a 33-yard touchdown strike, restoring the Bears' lead at 20-13. Rhett Armstrong sealed the victory with a 54-yard field goal, making the final score 23-13.

Key Performances

DJ Lagway was instrumental in the win, completing 19 of 39 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, though he also threw one interception. Gavin Freeman led Baylor’s receiving corps with six catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. Dawson Pendergrass contributed on the ground with 16 carries for 85 yards.

For Colorado, Isaac Wilson completed 12 of 25 passes for 156 yards and his touchdown. Joseph Williams was the primary target, hauling in 11 receptions for 127 yards and a score. Micah Welch provided some ground support with nine carries for 35 yards.

The game, played before an attendance of 40,015 at McLane Stadium, showcased Baylor’s ability to maintain composure after Colorado’s late surge. The Bears now move forward with momentum, while the Buffaloes look to regroup after the loss.

Sources

ESPN