The Baylor Red Raiders lit up the scoreboard with a balanced offensive attack, piling up
420 total yards and eight touchdowns in a commanding win. The effort featured
four different receivers scoring touchdowns and
four more on the ground, as Baylor proved dangerous through the air and on the ground.
Aerial Attack
Quarterback
Briggs Cherry (#3) was nearly flawless, completing 8 of 9 passes for
221 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a long strike of 60 yards. Fellow QB
Ben Halevi (#6) added efficiency off the bench, going 4 of 5 for 34 yards and a touchdown. In total, Baylor's passing game finished 12 of 14 for
255 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging over 21 yards per completion.
The scoring was spread around:
•
Kaiden Dewey (#2) led the way with 3 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.
•
Hank DeGennaro (#13) added 3 receptions for 41 yards and a score, including a big
3rd-and-9 TD grab from Halevi.
•
Judah Smith (#14) hauled in a 32-yard touchdown.
•
Kolby Barrett (#8) made the most of his lone catch, an 18-yard TD grab.
•
Jamyan Theodore (#1) and
David Gabriel-Georges (#0) also chipped in with key receptions.
Ground Game
If the passing attack wasn't enough, the rushing unit punched in another four scores.
•
David Gabriel-Georges (#0) powered his way to 81 yards on 6 carries, finding the end zone
three times, including a key
3rd-and-goal TD from the 1-yard line.
•
Jack Ferguson (#28) added 59 yards and a touchdown on his 6 attempts.
•
Ben Halevi (#6) contributed 23 yards on the ground, including a clutch
3rd-and-2 run for a first down.
•
Briggs Cherry (#3) scrambled for positive yardage to extend plays.
In all, Baylor rushed for
165 yards on 19 carries, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt.
Defensive Statement
As explosive as the offense was, the story of the first half may have been Baylor's defense. In
Coach Rodriguez's debut as Defensive Coordinator, the Red Raiders set the tone early — swarming to the ball, limiting big plays, and keeping the opponent off the board through much of the first half. The defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage, while the secondary flew around breaking up passes and creating pressure situations.
It was a fast, physical start that showcased the defensive identity Coach Rodriguez is building.
Efficiency & Control
The Red Raiders went
3 of 4 on third downs — with
two resulting in touchdowns. Halevi's 3rd-and-9 TD strike to DeGennaro and Gabriel-Georges' 3rd-and-goal plunge highlighted their ability to deliver in pressure moments. Halevi also converted a 3rd-and-2 with his legs.
The lone miss came late with the younger group in the game.
By the Numbers
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420 total yards (255 passing, 165 rushing)
•
12 completions for 255 yards (21.25 yards per catch)
•
19 rushes for 165 yards (8.68 yards per carry)
•
8 total touchdowns (4 passing, 4 rushing)
•
4 different receivers with TDs, 2 rushers with TDs
•
3/4 on third downs — 2 for touchdowns
Baylor's explosive offensive balance — with stars like
Cherry, Dewey, Gabriel-Georges, and Ferguson leading the charge — combined with a
dominant first-half defensive effort under Coach Rodriguez's leadership, sent a clear message:
this Red Raider team is built to make noise on both sides of the ball.
#WeAreBaylor
