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Conference Call: Texas, Baylor Fall in Week 1

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6 years ago

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As we get into the 2017 college football season, let’s take a look at what happened around the Big 12 in Week 1 of college football. 

Maryland at Texas

Texas is … still post-Colt McCoy Texas. The offense sputtered, leaning on three non-offensive touchdowns to stay in the game against a lower-tier Big Ten opponent. The defense fared similarly, allowing two crucial fourth quarter touchdowns to a true freshman quarterback thrown into duty because of injury. After week one: Horns down, I repeat Horns are down.

Final Score: Maryland 51, Texas 41

Liberty at Baylor

Let’s rip the band-aid off: Baylor’s comeback bid against an FCS squad fell short. After giving up 585 yards of offense to a non-Big 12 team, David Ubben said it best.

Grad transfer quarterback Anu Solomon posted a solid day throwing for 278 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 completions but Turner Gill’s offense (yes, the old Nebraska player-turned-Kansas coach) was just too much for the young Baylor defense.

Final Score: Liberty 48, Baylor 45

UTEP at Oklahoma

Things get better when you head north of the border. Baker Mayfield was nearly perfect, going 19 of 20 for 329 yards and three touchdowns, and tight end-ish Mark Andrews had a career day with 134 yards a touchdown. The Sooner defense held UTEP to 89 yards on their last 11 drives.

Lincoln Riley’s debut went as well as he could hope for. With the exception of starting corner Jordan Parker hurting his knee, returning to the sideline during the second half on crutches.

Final Score: OU 56, UTEP 7

Northern Iowa at Iowa State

Iowa State took rode a couple of early pick-sixes and came out with back-to-back drives in the second half to establish themselves. Mason Rudolph’s high school rival Jacob Park played a good game at quarterback for the Cyclones and Lawton grad Mike Warren split duties at running back.

Final Score: Iowa State 42, Northern Iowa 24

Southeast Missouri State at Kansas

Kansas showed progress in winning a game (regardless of opponent), starting a new junior college transfer at quarterback who performed well. Throwing four touchdowns, Peyton Bender led the Jayhawks on four scoring drives of three plays or less. Doug Meacham appears to have been a prudent investment after scoring nearly 40 points.

Final Score: Kansas 38, SE Mo St 16

Eastern Washington at Texas Tech

While Eastern Washington took out Washington State in their opener last year, the House of Kliff wouldn’t be so forgiving. Pat Mahomes’ replacement Nic Shimonek hit 23 of his first 24 throws and Tech’s run defense held EWU to 2.3 yards per carry.

Worth mentioning is the surfacing of defense in Lubbock, allowing their lowest point total since 2013.

Final Score: Texas Tech 56, Eastern Washington 10

Jackson State at TCU

TCU systematically dominated the SWAC team in their opener. Wild-armed QB Kenny Hill showed progression — being replaced by his backup in the third quarter, not because of sloppy play but more than a five-touchdown lead. Jackson State was held to six yards over their final 51 plays and Gary Patterson won his 150th game at TCU.

Final Score: TCU 63, Jackson State 0

Central Arkansas at Kansas State

Senior quarterback Jesse Ertz set the school record for quarterback ratings (319.8) in the blowout win over the Bears from Conway. After a quarter of action, the score was 10-10 but the Wildcats blew the doors off with a 28-point second quarter. The Wildcat rushing attack wasn’t itself — neither of K-State’s leading running backs got going — but the Wizard of Manhattan will figure it out.

The Wildcat defense appeared to have some extra work on its plate as Snyder joked they would be hanging around until early Sunday working on correcting their mistakes. I’m 95 percent sure he was joking.

Final Score: K-State 55, Central Arkansas 19

West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech

In a game that came down to the wire — probably the most entertaining week one game for the league — the Mountaineers fell just shy. With a balanced offensive attack, the Mountaineers offense aggressively took its shots down the field working to expose the Hokies.

Tech missed a couple of field goals and did what they could to keep the Mountaineers in the game, but Hokie freshman quarterback Josh Jackson did just enough passing for over 200 yards and rushing for over 100.

Final Score: Virginia Tech 31, West Virginia 24

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