TCU Horned Frogs @ Baylor Bears Football Recap

Baylor 50, TCU 48

Earlier in the week, Baylor launched—to little fanfare—a Heisman website for the man they call RG3, quarterback Robert Griffin III. That campaign was thrust from a cute public relations effort into an early possibility, as Griffin led his Baylor Bears to a wild 50-48 victory over TCU on Friday night.

The wild Texas shootout got underway on Baylor’s first drive, when Griffin tossed a lateral to Kendall Wright, who then connected downfield to Terrance Williams for a 40-yard double-pass touchdown. The fireworks kept coming, as TCU return man Greg McCoy returned the ensuing kick to Baylor’s 15-yard line, which TCU used to score two plays later. With the two teams trading blows, the first break came when TCU kicker Ross Evans missed a 41-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Baylor cashed in on an eight-play, 76-yard touchdown drive to take a 34-23 lead mid-way through the second, which would be the halftime score.

The story for Griffin, labeled a “dual-threat” quarterback, was his true coming-out party as a passer. Griffin connected on several deep outs and fades, and would finish the game a scintillating 21-27 for 359 yards and five touchdowns. Coupling a 64-yard TD pass with a 42-yard TD pass in the third quarter, Baylor extended its lead to 47-23 going into the fourth quarter.

Despite Griffin’s display, TCU was not done. New quarterback Casey Pachall stepped up in a huge way for the Horned Frogs, leading them in a furious fourth-quarter rally. The Frogs started the fourth as Pachall found Logan Brock for a one-yard touchdown pass, then added his own run for a two-point conversion. TCU’s normally-stout defense finally stepped up and would hold Baylor to two-straight 3-and-outs. After the first, TCU track star Skye Dawson returned the kick deep into Baylor territory. Three plays later, Pachall connected with Josh Boyce for another TD, then repeated the connection for another two-point conversion. TCU had cut the deficit to 47-39.

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On its next possession, TCU turned a 50-yard field into yet another touchdown, as Pachall found David Porter in the endzone. This time the two-point conversion failed, and Baylor held to a 47-45 lead. Then, Griffin’s otherwise-perfect night turned, as in Baylor’s first play from scrimmage Griffin fumbled to give TCU a 40-yard field. The Bears made a formidable stand, but TCU cashed in the go-ahead field goal with just over four minutes to go.

But Baylor would not be denied on this night. Facing a third down on its own 20, the Bears reached into the playbook as Kendall Wright found a receiving Griffin for 15 yards across the middle for a first down. The drive ended at TCU’s 20, and Aaron Jones connected on a 37-yard field goal to give Baylor a 50-48 lead. With one minute left, Pachall’s night ended with an interception at Baylor’s 20. Pachall ended the night 25-39 for 251 yards and four touchdowns.

TCU’s uncharacteristically-bad defensive night led to big numbers for the Bears. Terrance Ganaway rushed for 120 yards, while Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams added 189 yards and 126 yards receiving, respectively.

TCU travels to play a tough conference opener at Air Force next week. Baylor will host Stephen F. Austin.

By: Brett Hein
DFN Sports Staff Writer