Texas Football: 3 takeaways from Week 8 win over Baylor

The Red River Rivalry crushed Texas football’s playoff hopes a couple of weeks ago, but the Longhorns bounced back to beat Baylor on Saturday.

The thrill of two weeks ago Red River Rivalry with Oklahoma gave Texas somewhat of a reason for a setback. Especially, with Texas having some people out, due to COVID-19. That same struggle could be said for the Bears.

After falling in Morgantown to West Virginia, Baylor has been sitting home over the past couple of weeks. Due to a bye week and COVID-19 delay with Oklahoma State, the Bears had not played in 21 days.

Both teams would come out of the gate struggling as each of their first two possessions, ended up in punts.

Baylor would break the scoring drought near the end of the first quarter, with Charlie Brewer leading a 12-play, 63-yard drive with a field goal from John Mayers.

Texas would do the same on their ensuing position. The Horns would drive down the field, but not able to convert on third-and-6. Cameron Dicker would hit a 41-yarder to even things up.

Baylor made a very odd decision to punt from Texas’ 30-yard line. Texas would capitalize with a 72-yard hookup from Ehlinger to Tarik Black. Dicker would sneak through another field goal as Texas would take a 6-3 lead.

Ehlinger would beat the Bears once again with a deep ball, connecting with Joshua Moore who finished off the drive with a sliding touchdown grab.

Texas would throw what seemed to be the final haymaker early in the third quarter. Texas would go 12 plays on 75 yards and a 1-yard Sam Ehlinger run would put the Longhorns up 17.

The Texas defense continued to suffocate Baylor, not forcing the Bears to take any shots downfield. They forced Baylor to get limited and Texas had a counter for just about every Baylor attempt.

Texas would keep their gas on the pedal as Ehlinger would walk in for his third touchdown of the game. Baylor would attempt to make a comeback with a touchdown pass to John Lovett.

The Bears weren’t finished as they intercepted Ehlinger, with a return to the Texas 20. Brewer would throw his second touchdown as he connected with Gavin Holmes for his first touchdown since 2017.

After a Texas punt, Baylor would get the ball back and a chance to get closer. However, the Bears could not convert on fourth down and the game would be over. Texas would win the game, 27-16, improving to 3-2. Meanwhile, the Bears fall to 1-2.

Brewer would go 30-fo-43 with 256 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers.