Bears find heart, courage and brains to beat K-State in late-morning thriller

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — Baylor fans came for brunch and stayed for a miracle. The Bears shook off an early nap and stormed down the yellow brick road to beat Kansas State 35–34 on a blocked field goal in one of the wildest fourth quarters McLane Stadium has ever seen.

The 11 a.m. kickoff started quietly. Both teams traded punches through a sluggish first half that ended tied 17–17. Then Kansas State came out of the locker room breathing fire and caffeine, punching in two third-quarter touchdowns to build a 31–17 lead. The Wildcats looked like they were on cruise control. Baylor looked like it needed a triple espresso and a prayer.

Then the fourth quarter happened — and McLane turned into Oz.

Quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who looked human through three quarters, suddenly became unflappable. He zipped an 11-yard touchdown to Bryson Washington, then strolled in for the two-point conversion like he already knew how the movie ended, cutting the deficit to 31–25. Robertson finished 25-of-39 for 345 yards and two touchdowns, proving that sometimes the heart you need is the one beating under center.

Moments later, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson made a throw he’ll see every time he blinks for the next month. Baylor’s Jalen Redding jumped the route, snagged the ball, and sprinted 66 yards the other way for a pick-six. The stadium roared like a cyclone had just hit Manhattan — the Kansas one, not the Broadway kind — as Baylor took its first lead, 32–31.

The Wildcats clawed back with a short field goal under two minutes left to reclaim a 34–32 advantage. But this Baylor team had no interest in clicking its heels and heading home early. Robertson led a calm, methodical drive capped by kicker Connor Hawkins drilling a 53-yard field goal with just 31 seconds left — a rocket that could’ve dented the Emerald City gates.

Kansas State had one last chance. The Wildcats drove far enough to try a 56-yarder as time expired. But Baylor’s Cooper Lanz blew through the middle like the “and Bears” part of “Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!” and got a hand on it — sealing the win as McLane Stadium went full technicolor.

Tight end Michael Trigg was a monster, hauling in eight catches for 155 yards, while Bryson Washington added 96 yards receiving and that crucial touchdown. Baylor’s offense piled up more than 500 yards. The defense gave up plenty but took away more, forcing the only turnover of the game when it mattered most.

The Bears didn’t just win — they rewrote the ending. They found the heart of the Tin Man, the courage of the Lion, and the brains of the Scarecrow… all before lunchtime.

And as the fans reminded everyone when the final kick hit the turf, there’s no place like home.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT – FOX 44.

Bears find heart, courage and brains to beat K-State in late-morning thriller

Tags: