By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
WACO - Minus a hiccup here and there, No. 10 Baylor treated its 2022 season opener with FCS Albany with decisiveness.
The Bears offense showed what life could be like with its passing game under Blake Shapen. The redshirt sophomore threw for 214 yards and a pair of scores and made a courageous run to the pylon for another on the final play of the first half as the Big 12 favorites cruised, 69-10, at McLane Stadium.
Working with a new receiving corps, Shapen brought precision, controlled velocity and unleashed two vertical daggers, 47 yards to Monaray Baldwin and 38 yards to Hal Presley. These were plays that Baylor had to pick the right spot to use in 2021. They may be more aggressive with them in 2022. Shapen finished 17-20 and was done after the first possession of the third quarter.
Shapen's TD run was a gamble but worth it against a team that never made the Bears nervous. Facing 1st-and-goal at the UAlbany 1-yard with one second on the clock - the Bears got a pass interference in the end zone to move the ball from two to the 1 - Shapen circle to about the 10. It then became a footrace to the pylon where he touched it. Replays confirmed.
Baylor was perfect in the red zone scoring touchdowns on four attempts. While the passing game was the focus of the first half, Baylor concentrated with the running game in the second as the game had already been decided.
And just because they wanted to show the Sugar Bowl play in person, Baldwin had a 50-yard end around for a score. It was the same play that went for 47 yards and a score against Ole Miss but went to the other side.
The return game also showed some flash. Making his first appearance since 2020, Holmes returned a punt 72 yards for a score in the middle of the first quarter.
Baylor travels to No. 25 BYU next Saturday (9:15 pm, ESPN).
Publisher
WACO - Minus a hiccup here and there, No. 10 Baylor treated its 2022 season opener with FCS Albany with decisiveness.
The Bears offense showed what life could be like with its passing game under Blake Shapen. The redshirt sophomore threw for 214 yards and a pair of scores and made a courageous run to the pylon for another on the final play of the first half as the Big 12 favorites cruised, 69-10, at McLane Stadium.
Working with a new receiving corps, Shapen brought precision, controlled velocity and unleashed two vertical daggers, 47 yards to Monaray Baldwin and 38 yards to Hal Presley. These were plays that Baylor had to pick the right spot to use in 2021. They may be more aggressive with them in 2022. Shapen finished 17-20 and was done after the first possession of the third quarter.
Shapen's TD run was a gamble but worth it against a team that never made the Bears nervous. Facing 1st-and-goal at the UAlbany 1-yard with one second on the clock - the Bears got a pass interference in the end zone to move the ball from two to the 1 - Shapen circle to about the 10. It then became a footrace to the pylon where he touched it. Replays confirmed.
Baylor was perfect in the red zone scoring touchdowns on four attempts. While the passing game was the focus of the first half, Baylor concentrated with the running game in the second as the game had already been decided.
And just because they wanted to show the Sugar Bowl play in person, Baldwin had a 50-yard end around for a score. It was the same play that went for 47 yards and a score against Ole Miss but went to the other side.
The return game also showed some flash. Making his first appearance since 2020, Holmes returned a punt 72 yards for a score in the middle of the first quarter.
Baylor travels to No. 25 BYU next Saturday (9:15 pm, ESPN).
