By Carson Vercoe | Sports Writer
After beating UCF 41-9 last weekend and with the aura that surrounds homecoming weekend, McLane Stadium had an energy not seen since it came back home after the win over Arizona State.
But that energy quickly faded when Baylor went down 10-0 to Iowa State by the end of the first quarter from running back Aiden Flora’s 40-yard run.
“We knew he was a good back, probably one of the best in the league, really fast,” fifth-year safety Colby McCalister said. “We knew that they were going to want to have him on the perimeter a lot, and that’s what they did early on.”
The early deficit left fans with the same feeling they’re used to when the Bears play at home.
Baylor (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) didn’t go down away, though, scoring 21 points in the second quarter to reclaim the lead going into halftime and outpace Iowa State (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) 42-31.
“That wasn’t the start obviously that we wanted,” interim head coach Joe Klanderman said. “But we weren’t done; I mean, we were playing, and that’s exactly what I told the defensive guys.”
After the early lead, Iowa State got the ball back from Baylor early in the second quarter and moved it into field goal range. Kicker Kyle Konrardy missed a 41-yard kick after nailing a 57-yarder, giving Baylor the ball back.
The Bears’ offense continued to struggle after putting up 60 yards of offense in the first quarter with a three-and-out. Baylor’s special teams recovered a muffed punt, giving them the ball back with good field position in a much-needed spark.
Baylor needed just two plays to cut the lead to three.
Fifth-year wide receiver Gavin Freeman caught a 29-yard pass followed by a passing touchdown between former Florida teammates junior quarterback DJ Lagway and senior tight end Tony Livingston. Livingston snagged the ball with one hand before crossing into the end zone.
“That was definitely a big turnaround in the game,” Lagway said. “Special teams getting out there making the play and then us capitalizing. That’s called playing complementary football.”
Iowa State responded quickly with a 50-yard touchdown run by running back Cameron Pettaway, putting the Cyclones back in the driver’s seat.
The back half of the second quarter turned into an offensive shootout as the Bears came back down the field with a drive of their own.
Lagway, who showed his ability to run the ball last week in the win against UCF, took off for a 54-yard touchdown, sending McLane into cheers as “Go DJ” by Lil Wayne played in the background.
Lagway finished the day with a season-high 119 rushing yards and a touchdown, continuing to increase his use on the ground.
“Your matching patterns and all that stuff and what that does is that opens up the quarterback to run,” Klanderman said. “[Lagway] being able to run and him being a threat to do that is going to keep people out of some of those things.”
Baylor’s fiery offense was not finished in the second quarter.
Lagway led a nine-play, 78-yard drive downfield before reaching the end zone and fumbling the ball. Fifth year offensive lineman Koltin Sieracki dove on the ball, saving the touchdown and giving the Bears the lead for the first time in the game.
“I thought DJ got in, honestly, and I saw the ball fly out, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is my time; I got to go get that thing,’” Sieracki said. “I dove on it and celebrated with my guys.”
The Bears went into halftime with a 21-17 lead and a promising outlook for the second half.
The Baylor offense showed no signs of returning to that first-quarter form in the third, as the Bears dominated the second half.
The Bears gained 181 yards in the second half and added three touchdowns.
Lagway sent a deep pass to sophomore wide receiver Taz Williams Jr. for a 62-yard touchdown, putting them up by 11 points, the largest lead of the day. Lagway finished the day with 229 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Baylor defense came out of the first half firing, forcing two quick three-and-outs. The solid defense led the Bears’ offense cruise as freshman running back Ryelan Morris raced for a 33-yard touchdown.
Iowa State opened the fourth quarter with a 20-yard touchdown to tight end Vince Benetti, cutting the lead to 12.
After the Baylor offense was shut down for the first time since the start of the game, the Cyclones faced a fourth-and-long. Fifth-year safety Devin Turner came up with a 12-yard sack, giving the Bears the ball back.
Morris picked up his second touchdown late in the fourth to make the lead 19. He finished with 50 yards on the team’s 194.
“It’s great to be able to hand it off and watch it pop,” Lagway said. “He might take it 70, you never know, so having a back like that is great, man.”
With the large lead, Baylor cruised to victory despite a late touchdown from the Cyclones and became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2024.
“I’m proud of the guys,” Klanderman said. “They’ve earned this. I’m happy they get to play in the postseason.”
It’s the Bears’ first win over Iowa State in over four years, with the Cyclones taking the last two matchups.
Baylor hits the road next week to take on No. 9 BYU at noon Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
