Baylor junior WR Coleman will bypass senior season

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.

Baylor quarterback Chris Johnson (13) fumbles the ball under pressure from Texas defenders Charles Omenihu (90) and Bryce Cottrell during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Waco, Texas. They ran for 395 yards on 66 carries and nine players recorded carries. It worked to the tune of more than 230 rushing yards and 17-straight points, and it could have had even more had we not fumbled away our chance on the last real drive of the game. “I think everybody was exhausted of losing, so we stepped up and did what we had to do”. Several 5-7 teams will be receiving special bowl invitations this year, but Texas is not expected to receive one because its graduation rates aren’t as high as other 5-7 candidates. It was the first time this season Baylor did not score on its opening possession.

Henry rushed for 189 bruising yards and the second-ranked Crimson Tide wore down No. 18 Florida with a dominating defensive performance, beating the Gators 29-15 in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday.

“This was probably the best Baylor team that’s been here, the record doesn’t show it”, Coleman said.

Offensively, Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes was efficient, going 12 of 19 for 151 yards and a passing and rushing touchdown.

Injuries played a big role in the Bears ability to cope with the gauntlet of games toward the latter part of their schedule.

A body slam tackle on Thomas by Hawthorne at the end of the play was not well-received by the Longhorns bench, many of whom came onto the playing surface.

“We went out there with a mentality like we had nothing to lose”, senior center Taylor Doyle said.

Whether it was a quarterback, running back, defensive lineman or defensive back, Baylor was unable to keep its best players healthy.

So even though the circumstances of the game killed a lot of the good feelings from the first half, the final result remains the same – Texas went on the road against a heavily-favored opponent and came out with a win despite having nothing to play for and numerous starters sidelined by injuries.

After giving up 17 consecutive points in the second half, the Longhorns found three points with a 12 play, 62-yard drive that lasted 5:41. There was also that 24-0 loss at Iowa State.

It came under odd circumstances, and Baylor nearly came back, but the Bears fall to 9-3 after an 8-0 start. Although the Bears started off rocky against the rush, they gradually improved.

Things got a little ugly at the end of the first quarter in the Baylor-Texas game, as benches cleared and teams got into some scufflin’.