Constance Atton | Lariat Photographer
By Jeffrey Swindoll
Sports Writer
No. 5 Baylor trails No. 9 TCU at the half 31-24 at McLane Stadium in Waco.
The Bears out-rushed and out-ran the Horned Frogs in the first quarter, but the Bears trailed 10-14. The Horned Frogs forced the Bears’ offense off the field after a three-and-out and struck quickly on offense.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin showcased his skill with his arm and feet, presenting one of the most dynamic challenges to the Bears’ defense all season. Briles noted Boykin as a very capable “dual-threat quarterback” earlier in the week. TCU dispatched the Bears to their first time trailing in the season with a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Boykin leads the Horned Frogs with 51 yards rushing and 165 yards passing, throwing 11-25.
TCU’s defense made the stops it needed against the Bears’ high-flying offense. Senior quarterback Bryce Petty’s inaccuracy early in the first half also hindered the Bears in the first couple of offensive series.
The Bears offense picked it up after a 66-yard connection from Petty to senior wide receiver Goodley who beat his man and got critical block from freshman receiver K.D. Cannon to run easily into the end zone.
The second quarter was a wild one, with more first downs, touchdowns and some special teams fireworks. As they did in the first half, the Bears kept the edge in yards gained in the second quarter — 81-40 rushing and 300-165 passing.
Petty completed 15 of his 29 attempted passes, totalling 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half. The Bears’ receivers had a couple big plays to keep the Bears in the ball-game, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Corey Coleman and a 67-yard bomb to Cannon. Cannon’s touchdown tied the game 24-24.
Petty was put under a lot of pressure from TCU’s defensive line, having to scramble on a consistent basis, getting sacked twice in the first half.
The first half ended in a thrilling fashion. After Cannon’s touchdown, TCU running back B.J. Catalon returned the ball 94 yards to the house, giving the Horned Frogs a 7-point lead once again.
The Bears failed to respond to the return touchdown from the Horned Frogs, and TCU had the ball within the last minute of the second quarter to ice the half. Disaster ensued on fourth down though.
With 8 seconds left in the quarter, on what should’ve been the last play of the half, TCU snapped the ball too high to punter Ethan Perry. It was a rat race for the ball, bouncing and rolling closer to the goal line. The Bears downed the ball with one second left on the chaos of the botched snap, and the Bears’ kicker Chris Callahan nailed the 29-yard field goal to make it a 4-point game.
The second half is set to start in Waco.
