By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
For only the second time in Baylor football program history, the Bears left Owen Field/Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK with a victory.
Baylor is now 2-14 all-time. The victory comes at the right time as the Bears are pushing toward trying to get into the Big 12 championship game. It seems unlikely, but when the polls are released on Sunday, this program could return to at least the receiving votes category. Baylor has won its last three. Oklahoma State was essentially knocked out of the race with its loss to Kansas.
Now, the Bears (6-3, 4-2) return home to McLane Stadium for the final two games of the home schedule. First, it’s a 6:00 p.m. meeting with Kansas State. Baylor should find out its official TV assignment Sunday. It was listed as either FOX or FS1.
SicEmSports provides reflections, observations and three Golden Bears from this one.
Upon Reflection
Consider what this program did on the road the last two weeks against Texas Tech and Oklahoma. The Red Raiders are just an OK team, while this Oklahoma team mediocre.
Not counting the periods where they were tied, when you go on the road and trail for a clock total time of 5:19 minutes out of a possible 120, that’s probably the most impressive part about this stretch.
Never under appreciate how hard it is to win on the road. Baylor is 3-1 wearing the white in the Big 12 this season. And it needs be because it’s in a schedule where the majority of the games are away from McLane Stadium.
Indeed, there were some issues with the defense. While it collected three first half interceptions to give it eight in the last two games, it still surrendered 500 yards. It’s probably going to be this way the rest of the season. But we’re also at a point where you’re just looking to find ways to win.
They did that. Now, their fate is in their own hands.
Look…Sqwirl
If a bug limited Richard Reese, the timing of Sqwirl Williams’ return to the lineup could not have been any better.
For someone who has always heard the whispers about his size, Sqwirl looked the best he ever has since 2020. This performance was reminiscent of the way he ran against TCU that Saturday afternoon. His vision was clear, read his blocks, ran with purpose, and just looked confident.
Then he presented the dagger with the 43-yard scamper to ice it. It didn’t hurt that the Oklahoma defense, the worst in the Big 12, played to its reputation. The Sooners are a bad defensive team.
However, Baylor’s running game is one of the best in college football. It’s fixed from the early season struggles. Here’s what it has done in the last four games along with YPC:
West Virginia – 169 (4.9)
Kansas – 273 (4.8)
Texas Tech – 231 (3.9)
Oklahoma – 281 (5.9)
This is what we saw consistently in 2021. It’s hitting on all cylinders. Running the football effectively late in the season will always translate well in the pursuit of a championship.
To thine own self…
Early fourth quarter. Baylor holding a precarious, 31-28 lead. Facing 4th-and-1 at its 29. Governed by analytics or just quietly loving being a river boat gambler, Dave Aranda said yep, we’re doing this.
While everyone wearing green and gold was grabbing their seats, Sqwirl squeaked through for two yards to get the first down. And you know? Baylor scored its last touchdown of the game on that possession. Baylor was 3-3 on fourth down Saturday and is 21-30 (70 percent) for the season.
Golden Bears
The yearly tradition returns where SicEmSports highlights the three players who stood out in their performance on a weekly basis. Win or lose, they deserve the recognition.
The following are from Baylor’s 38-35 victory at Oklahoma.
Sqwirl Williams, RB, Jr.: Not much more to be added from what was mentioned above. But if he, Reese returns from his illness and Qualan Jones are sharing the load and becoming running game matchup issues, it’s going to be fascinating for these final three weeks.
Notable – Rushing: 25-192 (7.7) 2 TD
Dillon Doyle, LB, 5th: A great all-around game. He was the team-leader in tackles. Had a big interception in the first quarter that led to Baylor’s go-ahead touchdown, a lead the Bears would never surrender (yes, they were tied later, 14-14). He even snuck ahead for a first down.
Notable – Defense: 5 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, 1 INT (9 yards); Rushing: 1-1
Josh Cameron, WR, RSFR: On a day when the passing game was pedestrian and Blake Shapen didn’t look very good, Cameron shined with his best performance of the season as he led all Baylor receivers. Just played with confidence.
Notable – Receiving: 5-72 (14.4) with a long of 20.
Honorable Mention: Devin Lemear – 8 total tackles, INT (31 yards)
Publisher
For only the second time in Baylor football program history, the Bears left Owen Field/Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK with a victory.
Baylor is now 2-14 all-time. The victory comes at the right time as the Bears are pushing toward trying to get into the Big 12 championship game. It seems unlikely, but when the polls are released on Sunday, this program could return to at least the receiving votes category. Baylor has won its last three. Oklahoma State was essentially knocked out of the race with its loss to Kansas.
Now, the Bears (6-3, 4-2) return home to McLane Stadium for the final two games of the home schedule. First, it’s a 6:00 p.m. meeting with Kansas State. Baylor should find out its official TV assignment Sunday. It was listed as either FOX or FS1.
SicEmSports provides reflections, observations and three Golden Bears from this one.
Upon Reflection
Consider what this program did on the road the last two weeks against Texas Tech and Oklahoma. The Red Raiders are just an OK team, while this Oklahoma team mediocre.
Not counting the periods where they were tied, when you go on the road and trail for a clock total time of 5:19 minutes out of a possible 120, that’s probably the most impressive part about this stretch.
Never under appreciate how hard it is to win on the road. Baylor is 3-1 wearing the white in the Big 12 this season. And it needs be because it’s in a schedule where the majority of the games are away from McLane Stadium.
Indeed, there were some issues with the defense. While it collected three first half interceptions to give it eight in the last two games, it still surrendered 500 yards. It’s probably going to be this way the rest of the season. But we’re also at a point where you’re just looking to find ways to win.
They did that. Now, their fate is in their own hands.
Look…Sqwirl
If a bug limited Richard Reese, the timing of Sqwirl Williams’ return to the lineup could not have been any better.
For someone who has always heard the whispers about his size, Sqwirl looked the best he ever has since 2020. This performance was reminiscent of the way he ran against TCU that Saturday afternoon. His vision was clear, read his blocks, ran with purpose, and just looked confident.
Then he presented the dagger with the 43-yard scamper to ice it. It didn’t hurt that the Oklahoma defense, the worst in the Big 12, played to its reputation. The Sooners are a bad defensive team.
However, Baylor’s running game is one of the best in college football. It’s fixed from the early season struggles. Here’s what it has done in the last four games along with YPC:
West Virginia – 169 (4.9)
Kansas – 273 (4.8)
Texas Tech – 231 (3.9)
Oklahoma – 281 (5.9)
This is what we saw consistently in 2021. It’s hitting on all cylinders. Running the football effectively late in the season will always translate well in the pursuit of a championship.
To thine own self…
Early fourth quarter. Baylor holding a precarious, 31-28 lead. Facing 4th-and-1 at its 29. Governed by analytics or just quietly loving being a river boat gambler, Dave Aranda said yep, we’re doing this.
While everyone wearing green and gold was grabbing their seats, Sqwirl squeaked through for two yards to get the first down. And you know? Baylor scored its last touchdown of the game on that possession. Baylor was 3-3 on fourth down Saturday and is 21-30 (70 percent) for the season.
Golden Bears
The yearly tradition returns where SicEmSports highlights the three players who stood out in their performance on a weekly basis. Win or lose, they deserve the recognition.
The following are from Baylor’s 38-35 victory at Oklahoma.
Sqwirl Williams, RB, Jr.: Not much more to be added from what was mentioned above. But if he, Reese returns from his illness and Qualan Jones are sharing the load and becoming running game matchup issues, it’s going to be fascinating for these final three weeks.
Notable – Rushing: 25-192 (7.7) 2 TD
Dillon Doyle, LB, 5th: A great all-around game. He was the team-leader in tackles. Had a big interception in the first quarter that led to Baylor’s go-ahead touchdown, a lead the Bears would never surrender (yes, they were tied later, 14-14). He even snuck ahead for a first down.
Notable – Defense: 5 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, 1 INT (9 yards); Rushing: 1-1
Josh Cameron, WR, RSFR: On a day when the passing game was pedestrian and Blake Shapen didn’t look very good, Cameron shined with his best performance of the season as he led all Baylor receivers. Just played with confidence.
Notable – Receiving: 5-72 (14.4) with a long of 20.
Honorable Mention: Devin Lemear – 8 total tackles, INT (31 yards)
