Texas vs. Baylor: Score, Highlights and Twitter Reaction

After Texas Longhorns cornerback Duke Thomas intercepted a pass by Baylor Bears wide receiver-turned-quarterback Lynx Hawthorne Saturday, Thomas was tackled out of bounds by Hawthorne.

The only flag thrown was for unsportsmanlike conduct on Texas safety Kevin Vaccaro, who came off the bench and shoved Hawthorne in the back while he was down.

They had two more chances to cut the deficit after that, but were stopped on fourth down both times. The Longhorns finished the season 5-7, but it was not your normal 5-7.

“Now”, Longhorn head coach Charlie Strong said, “we have something that we can build on and we can take into the offseason”. It’s the first time since 2009 that Texas has beaten Baylor and Oklahoma in the same season.

Fourth-year junior receiver Lynx Hawthorne, who had not played quarterback since his junior year at Weimar (Texas) High School, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight of a game that would determine the Bears’ bowl destination. We’re blessed. Every team doesn’t make it to a bowl game.

With its backs against the wall, the Bears’ defense played with more intensity after starting sluggish by limiting Texas to three points in the second quarter. Saturday, as Baylor played host to Texas in their final home game of the season, Coleman was honored with the seniors prior to the game.

The Crimson Tide (12-1, No. 2 CFP) held the Gators to just 3 yards of offense in the second and third quarters, assuring itself of a spot in the semifinals at either the Cotton or Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Anthony Wheeler’s recovery at the Baylor 18 led to Swoopes’ 9-yard keeper for a 17-0 lead.

“[I’m] not pleased with the year we had, you look at it, we go beat Oklahoma and then you bounce back and go on the road and go beat Baylor”.

The only points of the second quarter came on Texas kicker Nick Rose’s 53-yard field goal. It was Texas’ first win in Waco since 2009. With their playoff hopes dashed, will the Bears be motivated to embarrassing the Longhorns or will they sleepwalk through this one and allow Texas to cover easily as a heavy underdog?

Texas took control early, when quarterback Tyrone Swoopes hit tight end Caleb Bluiett for a 57-yard touchdown pass to put the Longhorns ahead, 7-0, less than four minutes into the game.

Swoopes and Warren each had nice 12- and 11-yard runs as well. “At 4:35, I remember thinking, ‘We can do this.’ Just hold on to the ball, get first downs, manage the clock; you know, stuff that quarterbacks do”.