Baylor said at halftime that Johnson had concussion-like symptoms and would not return. Texas recovered for a turnover and Johnson left the game with an injury and at McLane Stadium, Dec. 5, 2015.
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The 4-7 Longhorns have a 20-0 halftime lead over the 9-2 Baylor Bears, who saw their NCAA football playoff hopes shattered last week against TCU. Twenty of the Lady Bears’ 22 points in the third quarter came from the paint or at the free throw line. Texas prevailed because it collected four turnovers and had none.
It was the first time since 2012 that the Bears (9-3) lost consecutive games.
Texas did not light up the stat sheet with its passing numbers.
The good was mainly the first quarter, where Texas jumped out to a 17-0 lead thanks to a nice Tyrone Swoopes to Caleb Bluiett 57 yard touchdown pass. The Horns later added a Nick Rose field goal and another 18 Wheeler touchdown run. It was Texas’ first win in Waco since 2009.
A body slam tackle on Thomas by Hawthorne at the end of the play was not well-received by the Longhorns bench, many of whom came onto the playing surface.
Given new life at Texas’ 46, a double-pass play was snuffed by Texas for a 1-yard loss.
Baylor, which finished with substantial edges in first downs (29-15), rushing yards (395-156) and total offense (479-307) will find out its bowl destination and opponent Sunday afternoon.
Defensive tackle Paul Boyette Jr. led the Longhorns with nine tackles, five of them solo stops. “So I’m going to pursue it and give it my all”. They’ve somehow endured after their early-season embarrassments, Charlie Strong flirting with Miami, and Kris Boyd stating his desire to transfer during the middle of a game. “Every time you go out there. you’ve got to strap up and be ready to play”.
Baylor’s Johnny Jefferson struck first in the second half, scampering into the Texas end zone with 10:27 left in the 3 quarter.
When Baylor players smack talked them during pregame warm-up, it only motivated them. Last week the weather took away the vertical threat that Baylor’s offense poses, but this week it was simply a lack of personnel.
The fourth-ranked Lady Bears utilized their superior size early and often at the Ferrell Center, building a quick double-digit that set the tone for an 86-44 victory.
The Longhorns failed to score after their two interceptions of Hawthorne. They wanted a win over the Bears to boost their pride.
For some inexplicable reason, Texas spent a great deal of time in an odd front with a deep safety against the run-heavy Baylor offense and, shocker, it didn’t work so well. “I feel like the first half I wasn’t making it that”.
This is probably the best Baylor team that’s been here.
Swoopes was 12 of 19 for 151 yards and he rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries.
“You don’t ever want somebody to go down”, Hawthorne said.
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On senior day, Baylor fans are left pondering what could have been for a Baylor team that looked to be one of the nation’s best.
