ICYMI: Dave Aranda confirms major decision after Baylor knocks off Oklahoma State
Baylor football coach Dave Aranda saw two potential wins slip away in Boulder, Colorado, and at Waco. After a decisive 22-point loss to Iowa State on October 5, the pressure on his coaching position increased.
Since then, Aranda and the Baylor Bears have started working to turn their season around, securing a two-game winning streak. Following their 38-28 victory over Oklahoma State, Aranda made a strong statement about the team’s progress.
“It’s a big thing for the confidence of our players,” Aranda shared with Craig Smoak of SicEm365.
Aranda also observed a significant transformation in his team since September 21.
“We’re just a completely different team now, and I think that was evident,” he said.
Both teams broke out of a slow start, with the first quarter ending in a 3-3 tie and halftime reaching 17-17. However, Baylor pulled away in the second half, outscoring Oklahoma State 21-11.
The victory was notable even as Dawson Pendergrass led in rushing with just six carries but managed 142 yards. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson completed 11-of-19 passes for 222 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Aranda’s postgame comments reflect a Baylor team gaining confidence over the past two weeks.
What’s been different the last 2 games for Dave Aranda and Baylor football?
Baylor football’s recent turnaround can be attributed to several factors.
Coach Dave Aranda’s defense, his area of expertise, has made steady improvements since the Iowa State game. They allowed 35 points in the 24-point win over Texas Tech and then held Oklahoma State to 28 points in their latest victory.
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson has emerged as a dynamic playmaker, throwing eight touchdowns during Baylor’s current win streak, including five against Texas Tech. The ground game has also picked up, with Bryson Washington rushing for 116 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns last week, followed by Dawson Pendergrass leading in the most recent win.
Crucially, Baylor has regained its fourth-quarter edge, especially in the last two of their last four games. Earlier in the season, Baylor was outscored 21-7 by Colorado in the fourth quarter and overtime, and Iowa State pulled away with a 24-7 second-half surge. But in these recent victories, Baylor’s second-half performance has shined, with 28 points against Texas Tech and 21 against Oklahoma State.
Starting at 2-4 and with Aranda’s job on the line, Baylor is now firmly in bowl contention. Their next opponent, TCU, is the only remaining team with a winning record, while West Virginia, Houston, and Kansas all sit below .500.
Aranda, in his fifth season, has seen his team evolve from a struggling lineup to a confident unit, a transformation he acknowledges after earlier close losses in October.