Baylor overcame an uneven first half to down SMU 56-21 on Friday night in a season-opening game that was, at times, too close for comfort for the fourth-ranked Bears. After blowing out of the gates with four touchdowns, the Bears were unable to record a single first down in the second quarter, before eventually regaining their footing in the third.
Here's what you need to know...
- Baylor quarterback Seth Russell accounted for a school-record six touchdowns in the game, throwing for five and running for another. It was the second time he has done so while under center for the Bears. He also picked up 300 passing yards for only the second time in his collegiate career, finishing with 376 total yards.
- Bears receiver Jay Lee tied a school record by picking up three touchdown passes. It was only the seventh time in school history a player has completed that feat in a game.
- The powerhouse Bears, tabbed as a serious postseason contender, are renowned for their explosive offense. SMU, however, limited Baylor to only one total yard of offense for the entire second quarter. Overall, though, the Bears finished with more than 700 yards of offense.
- Fresh from a miserable single-win campaign, SMU appeared to be a program reborn under first-year coach Chad Morris. Case in point: The Mustangs picked up 14 points in the first eight minutes of the game, after scoring only 12 points in their first four games last season.
- Baylor linebacker Taylor Young left the game with what appeared to be a collarbone injury and did not return to the field.
Play of the Game
Freshman signal-caller Jarrett Stidham, who replaced Russell late in the fourth for Baylor, threw a 42-yard touchdown on his first college football possession.
Baylor returns to Waco for its next game on Sept. 12 against FCS opponent Lamar.