Texas Longhorns

Texas Football Shows Tremendous Heart in Upset Win Over Baylor

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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There were plenty of opportunities for Texas football to pack it in against Baylor. The game was slipping away in the second half with the Bears imposing their will in the running game. Instead, the Longhorns rose up and finished off the 35-34 upset win with tremendous fortitude.

This was a wild game from the start. In the first five minutes, No. 8 Baylor and Texas exchanged two touchdowns a piece and it looked this game was headed for a shootout. Neither defense looked equipped to slow the other team down. But then the Texas defense stiffened and kept forcing Baylor into 3 and outs…just in time for the Texas offense to stall out as well.

Right before the half, Baylor put together a soul-crushing drive, scoring a touchdown with less than 30 seconds to play (helped by some dubious Charlie Strong time management). That drive and score effectively seized back all momentum in the game and cut Texas’ halftime lead to 23-21.

Eventually, Baylor began to wear down the Texas defense with their running game. They sustained drives with big chunk plays, converting first downs and keeping the Horns on the field with their up-tempo, no huddle attack. Texas hurt themselves, spinning their wheels offensively. Short drives forced the defense back onto  the field with little rest. Baylor scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to build a 31-26 lead.

Texas controlled the game with a minute to play in the first half. They were on the verge of getting rolled, however, as the fourth quarter began. Baylor was driving and had been able to impose their will the entire second half. Most Longhorns fans were preparing for the inevitable. But when Texas could have folded under all the pressure they’ve faced this season, they shined.

The Longhorns forced a fumble on the with the Bears threatening on the 12 yard line. They held firm again on the next Baylor drive. They forced a field goal inside their 10-yard line to keep it a one-score game. Then, with Baylor trying to drive down the field and ice the game, getting it down to the Texas 29-yard line, the Horns pushed them back. Baylor punted after their next three plays went for a sack, a tackle for loss and an incomplete pass.

Meanwhile, the offense was finally able to find some rhythm. They ended up scoring the final nine points of the game in the fourth quarter, including a touchdown on a six play, 79 yard drive (with a failed two-point conversion). Finally, after the defense forced the late punt, they drove down the field, going 58 yards on seven plays to kick the go-ahead field goal with 46 seconds to play.

At any point, it would have made sense for this Texas team to pack it in. At 3-4, they’ve been beat up by fans and press and have uncertainty hanging over them like a guillotine. When Baylor began to press their advantage, nobody would have been surprised to see them fold. Instead, they rose up, overcame adversity, and finished the game with a win. Fans expect this kind of performance from a Texas team. They haven’t seen it, however, in a while.

This game proves that Texas has talent and they have heart. They are dangerous when they put it all together. Unfortunately, that has been rare this season. For now, let’s all take some joy in beating Baylor.

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