Baylor Bears up 24-14 at halftime

By Cody Soto
Sports Writer

NORMAN, Okla. – This game is far from over in Norman, Okla. After a very competitive half, No. 12 Baylor football leads Oklahoma 24-14 in their final conference road game of the season.

The Bears finished the half with 212 total offensive yards, 181 passing and 31 rushing yards. The Sooners rallied for 226 beyond 107 rushing yards and 119 passing yards.

Senior quarterback Bryce Petty was 16-for-25 in the first half for a score and was sacked twice. Sophomore receiver Corey Coleman led Baylor with eight receptions and 105 yards and one touchdown in the half.

Both teams started out with 3-and-outs forced by their respective defenses. Baylor used 13 plays to get down the field into Sooner territory. Freshman kicker Chris Callahan nailed a 34-yard field goal to put the Bears on the score board first and lead 3-0 with 8:20 to go in the first quarter.

The Sooners would quickly respond with two touchdown drives with end zone passes from quarterback Trevor Knight to Michiah Quick and Durron Neal to put Oklahoma on top 14-3 with little time left in the first quarter.

The Bears quickly responded with a 75-yard drive after Petty connected with Coleman for a 33-yard touchdown pass to pull the team within four, 14-10. The Sooners took the field and were fueled by a big 54-yard pass to Quick to put Oklahoma on the 13-yard line.

Sophomore Devin Chafin soared over the offensive line after a huge interception by senior linebacker Bryce Hager that put the Bears on the 1-yard line. After the two second drive, Baylor led 17-14 in the second quarter.

A holding penalty and missed pass forced the Sooners to go for a 31-yard field goal. Kicker Michael Hunnicutt kicked too far right and allowed the score to stay the same.

After looking at a 4th down and seven yards to go in the Bears’ territory, Oklahoma was called on a person foul, and Baylor moved the chains into Sooner territory. Petty connected with several receivers and handed the ball off to sophomore running back Devin Chafin to get in scoring range. Chafin plowed through the Sooner defense, and Callahan kicked the extra point to extend the lead 24-14.

The Bears forced a Sooner punt to end the half and will receive the ball to start the second half.