By Ben Everett | Sports Writer
At halftime, No. 14 Oklahoma State leads Baylor 35-10.
The Bears weathered the storm in the first quarter, but the Cowboys scored a touchdown on all their possessions in the second quarter to take a commanding lead.
The Bears established the run on their first offensive possession. Freshman running back John Lovett got six touches, running for 41 yards while junior running back Terence Williams contributed 12 yards to put Baylor in the red zone just six minutes into the game.
Sophomore quarterback Zach Smith fumbled the ball on a dive into the end zone on third-and-goal, but freshman running back Trestan Ebner recovered in the end zone to give the Bears an early 7-0 lead.
Despite a pass interference penalty on sophomore cornerback Grayland Arnold, the Baylor defense forced an Oklahoma State punt on the ensuing possession.
The Bears only managed two yards on the next possession, but Cowboys’ junior punt returner Jalen McClesky muffed the punt and it was recovered by Baylor freshman cornerback Timarcus Davis to give the Bears field position at the Oklahoma State 37-yard line.
The Cowboys defense didn’t let up, however, with junior linebacker Justin Phillips forcing a turnover with a strip-sack of Smith.
Oklahoma State took advantage as senior quarterback Mason Rudolph found senior wide receiver Marcell Ateman for a 38-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Rudolph connected with senior wide receiver James Washington on a 45-yard pass to set up the Cowboys at the Baylor 20-yard line to start the second quarter.
Fifteen seconds later, Oklahoma State took the lead on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Rudolph to McClesky to put the Cowboys up 14-7.
The Bears put together a five minute drive capped off by a 38-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Connor Martin to cut the lead to 14-10 with nine minutes remaining in the half.
Oklahoma State responded as sophomore running back Justice Hill outrunning the defense for a 79-yard touchdown run to put the Cowboys up 21-10.
The Cowboys continued to pile on to the lead, putting together their longest drive of over two minutes with Rudolph sneaking the ball in the end zone on a 1-yard rush as Oklahoma State took a 28-10 lead with five minutes remaining in the half.
Oklahoma State got the ball back with just three minutes left in the half and added on to the lead with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from freshman running back J.D. King to extend the lead to 35-10.
At the half, Rudolph has 261 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown while Smith has just 41 passing yards.
Oklahoma State will receive the second half kickoff.
