Lariat File Photo
By Cody Soto
Sports Writer
Baylor leads SMU 31-0 after the first half in the 2014 season opener at McLane Stadium. Before a sold-out crowd, the Bears headed into the locker room with 244 total yards compared to the Mustangs’ 39 yards.
Senior quarterback Bryce Petty had 13 pass completions for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. The Bears offense got off to a rocky start and settled for a field goal in their first drive to lead 3-0 with 11:38 left in the first quarter.
Baylor’s “gang green” defense made a strong impression, holding the Mustangs to -10 rushing yards with an interception and over 6 sacks in the half.
A fumble by SMU’s Stephen Nelson led to a recovery by sophomore linebacker Aiavion Edwards, which gave the ball back over to the Baylor offense. Sophomore running back Shock Linwood rushed for four yards to give Baylor its first touchdown in McLane Stadium, giving the Bears a 10-0 lead.
Baylor’s defense forced a quick 3-and-out and started their next drive with a 45-yard punt return by senior receiver Levi Norwood to put the Baylor offense on the 4-yard line. Petty threw a 3-yard touchdown to sophomore tight end Tre’Von Armstread for a 17-0 lead. True freshman K.D. Cannon also went for 46 yards to score another touchdown for Baylor with under a minute to go in the first quarter.
Baylor continued to hold their lead in the second quarter and Petty rushed for a 5-yard touchdown to send Baylor to the locker room with a 31-0 edge over the Mustangs. Linwood rushed for 33 yards, followed by redshirt freshman Johnny Jefferson with 22 yards in his debut game as a Bear.
