Baylor Bears Defeat Colorado Buffaloes 23-13 in McLane Stadium Thriller

Late Surge Secures Victory

The Baylor Bears claimed a 23-13 victory over the visiting Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday at McLane Stadium, closing the game with a decisive offensive surge in the fourth quarter. The final margin was sealed by a 54-yard field goal from Rhett Armstrong, which extended Baylor’s lead to 23-13 with time remaining.

The contest featured a back-and-forth exchange of scoring that saw the teams trade leads before the home side pulled away. Attendance at the Waco venue reached 40,015 as the teams met in this Big 12 matchup.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

Colorado struck first in the opening period, with Elliott Arnold converting a 24-yard field goal to give the Buffaloes a 3-0 lead. Baylor responded in the second quarter, tying the game at 3-3 on a 37-yard field goal by Armstrong. The momentum shifted further in Baylor’s favor when DJ Lagway connected with Gavin Freeman on a 3-yard touchdown pass, putting the Bears ahead 10-3.

Armstrong added a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 13-3, though Arnold cut the deficit to 13-6 with a 46-yard kick. The fourth quarter began with Colorado cutting the lead to 13-13 on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Wilson to Joseph Williams.

However, Lagway and Porter found each other on a 33-yard touchdown pass, and Armstrong’s final field goal locked in the win.

Statistical Highlights

DJ Lagway led the Bears’ offense, completing 19 of 39 passes for 221 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Gavin Freeman was the primary target, catching six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Dawson Pendergrass provided a ground threat with 16 carries for 85 yards.

For Colorado, Isaac Wilson passed for 156 yards and one touchdown on 12 of 25 attempts. Joseph Williams hauled in 11 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Micah Welch rushed for 35 yards on nine carries. Elliott Arnold contributed two field goals for the Buffaloes.

Post-Game Records

The result moves the Baylor Bears to a 3-1 record, while the Colorado Buffaloes drop to 2-2. The performance at McLane Stadium highlighted the resilience of the home team, who overcame early deficits to secure the victory.

The statistical output from both quarterbacks reflected a competitive passing battle, though Baylor’s execution in the red zone and special teams efficiency proved to be the difference in the final score.

Sources

ESPN