Brawl mars early stages of Baylor-Texas game

Texas (5-7, 4-5) scored a stunning 23-17 victory over a No. 12 Baylor (9-3, 6-3) squad that often looked physically battered and emotionally drained at McLane Stadium on Saturday.

That’s something Strong and Texas can hang their hat on.

“[The win is] a springboard for the spring”, Strong said. “We took it upon ourselves…”

But if UT holds on, Oklahoma State would get the Sugar Bowl berth on the strength of the Big 12’s tiebreaker and a head-to-head victory over TCU. “Now we just have to beat Texas and get to the Sugar Bowl”.

The Bears played with a mix-match of wide receivers and running backs at quarterback after starter Chris Johnson left the game with concussion-like symptoms late in the first quarter.

But all they’re going to hear about is how they almost blew a 20-point lead with Baylor using a receiver – it’s not even fair to call him fourth string quarterback – who hasn’t taken a snap since his junior year in high school. Swoopes made it 17-0 with an uncontested run to the outside from nine yards out. Baylor Bears recorded 324.5 passing yards and 291.5 rushing yards while allowed 240.1 passing yards and 156.4 russhing yards with turnover differential of -0.3. But Jefferson’s Hail Mary pass from the Texas 47 fell incomplete. Texas is 4-7 on the season and while there looks to be a team or two under the. The Longhorns are the last Big 12 team to win a national championship (2005) and the last to play in the title game (2009). Down six, Baylor converted a fourth down on its side of the field, but Johnny Jefferson fumbled and Texas recovered. Freshman Jarrett Stidham won his first start, but broke a bone in his ankle in his third one before Chris Johnson started the last two games – only to get hurt Saturday. He had 185 yards over Baylor’s final four games; he had more than that total in two single games in 2015.

“It’s really tough”, Coleman said. We went out there and played hard.

Texas defenders Naashon Hughes (40), Poona Ford (95), Bryce Cottrell (91) and Derick Roberson (49) block a field goal attempt by Baylor place kicker Spencer Evans (39) and holder Cole Edmiston (83) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Waco, Texas.

Other than the initial contacts and the resulting bench clearings, however, no actual fights occurred.

The game was enlivened on the next possession with a sideline brawl as Hawthorne attempted to make a tackle after his pass was intercepted by Duke Thomas.

“It started in the pregame”, Strong said.

They had two more chances to cut the deficit after that, but were stopped on fourth down both times.

“It escalated quickly, but I don’t think anything happened out of it”, Drango said. They wanted a win over the Bears to boost their pride. I didn’t want that. “But we’re not going to back down”.

After the melee, Vaccaro was given a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Looking for another “Miracle on the Brazos”, the Bears battled back from a seemingly insurmountable 20-0 hole at the half.