Big 12: Baylor eases up and still blows out Kansas 66-7

A flimsy Kansas defense awaits on Saturday as Baylor drives toward a possible postseason berth.

So the Bears went to work.

Russell fired two touchdown strikes to junior wide receiver Corey Coleman, who entered the game as the nation’s leader in TD receptions with 11. Russell passed for 1,281 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns in just this first bit of Baylor’s season. Later in the first half, Lauren Piercy missed a goal to the left post by less than three feet.

All three stars sat the entire second half, resting for what Baylor (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) hopes is a national title push. To me, it’s about passion and energy, and burning inside – that’s what kind of separates him. The Bears will likely be able to name the score after putting up at least 56 points in every game this season, and now facing a Jayhawks defense that has allowed at least 27 points in each of its losses. A Baylor foul gave Kansas a free kick from 30 yards out in BU territory.

At that point, the 37.8-point victory margin Baylor was averaging, tops in the Bowl Subdivision, was exceeded. Like, say, a 100-point performance. “We have the best offense in the nation, so when you can get the ball in their hands, [it’s big]”, Blanchard said. “It’s just out of respect”. On the ground, Ke’aun Kinner rushed for 46 yards in 11 attempts. Baylor also cruised past 400 yards of total offense on the drive.

“But when I came to visit Baylor it was just like Kansas all over again, before Coach Weis”, Russell explained. The Baylor Bears are ranked No.5, and the Jayhawks are unranked.

After losing Michael Cummings to a knee injury in the spring game, Montell Cozart to a shoulder sprain and third-stringer Deondre Ford to torn tendons in a finger, coach David Beaty is down to freshman Ryan Willis making his first career start against the Bears. He was never discouraged at all. It’s both the style of play and they’ve recruited guys that are fast that fit their system. Tre’ Parmalee led in receiving with 80 yards and one touchdown in five catches.

The Jayhawks have been outscored, 227-95, this season.

Despite the easy win, there was one novelty for the Bears. Before that game, his only experience was two plays in the opener against South Dakota State. McGowan then side-stepped around the only Jayhawk in the area, who didn’t look like he wanted much to do with the mountain of a man in the first place.

“I think it’s fantastic”, Rhoads said.