Baylor beats Colorado 23-13 as DJ Lagway throws two touchdown passes

Baylor opened Big 12 play with a 23-13 win over Colorado at McLane Stadium in Waco, using a late field goal and a defense that repeatedly forced the Buffaloes into difficult downs. Colorado led 3-0 after Elliot Arnold's 24-yard field goal, but Baylor answered before halftime when Rhett Armstrong hit from 37 yards and DJ Lagway found Gavin Freeman for a three-yard touchdown.

Armstrong's 27-yard field goal extended Baylor's lead in the second half. Colorado answered with Arnold's 46-yarder and Isaac Wilson's 17-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams, tying the game at 13. Baylor regained control when Lagway threw 33 yards to Jad. Porter for a touchdown. Armstrong then made a 54-yard field goal with 4:28 left, the final points in the 23-13 result. The tie lasted just over two minutes before Baylor retook the lead; Armstrong's longest kick then made Colorado's next possession a two-score chase.

Lagway completed 19 of 39 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His touchdown throws supplied Baylor's two offensive scores, and Freeman finished with six receptions for 59 yards. Dawson Pendergrass carried 16 times for 85 yards, helping Baylor finish with 116 rushing yards on 35 attempts. Baylor's 337 total yards came with 28:34 of possession.

Colorado produced more total offense, gaining 363 yards with 280 passing and 83 rushing. Wilson completed 12 of 25 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown. Williams caught 11 passes for 127 yards, and his fourth-quarter touchdown was Colorado's only trip to the end zone. Colorado's ground game averaged 2.1 yards per attempt, and the Buffaloes went 3-for-15 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down. Baylor converted 6 of 17 third downs and forced one turnover.

The final margin came from Baylor's ability to turn its scoring chances into points. Colorado reached field-goal range twice through Arnold, but Baylor added three Armstrong field goals around Lagway's touchdown passes. Baylor also kept the Buffaloes from sustaining drives after the 13-13 tie. The Bears' home win moved them to 3-1, while Colorado fell to 2-2 and opened conference play with a loss.

Baylor's leaders reflected the close yardage battle. Colorado's 24 first downs were only two more than Baylor's 22, but the Bears avoided a second turnover and converted the short opportunities created by their defense. Armstrong's long field goal also changed the fourth-quarter field position, forcing Colorado to need a touchdown rather than a tying kick.

ESPN's event video shows Lagway's touchdown pass to Freeman.

Baylor's official game-center listing places the matchup at McLane Stadium, where the Bears finished their Big 12 opener with a 23-13 win.