MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In an impressive display of skill, Sawyer Robertson achieved a personal best by passing for 329 yards and securing three touchdowns, while Bryson Washington contributed significantly with three rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown, leading Baylor to a 49-35 victory over West Virginia on Saturday evening.

With this win, Baylor improved their record to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12, making them bowl eligible for the third time during head coach Dave Aranda’s fifth year at the helm. This victory has been particularly notable as it comes after a challenging start to the season, where the team found themselves at 2-4, casting doubts on Aranda’s future with the program.

During their four-game winning streak, Baylor has averaged an impressive 46 points per game, a marked improvement from the 28 points they averaged in their first six games of the season. West Virginia, with a record of 5-5 and also 4-3 in the conference, had their two-game winning streak halted as they struggled to capitalize on key fourth-down opportunities late in the game, including a crucial chance at the 9-yard line.

The match saw an explosive first half where both teams combined for nine touchdowns, with Baylor heading into halftime with a 35-28 lead. The Bears solidified their victory with two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter from Washington and Dawson Pendergrass, with Washington ending the night with 123 rushing yards.

West Virginia’s quarterback, Garrett Greene, made his return after missing two games due to an upper body injury. He showcased his abilities by rushing for a season-high 129 yards and scoring two short touchdowns, while completing 19 of 39 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns as well.

As the momentum shifted, West Virginia was attempting to score before halftime. However, a dropped fourth-down pass from Justin Robinson inside the Baylor 30 proved costly. Baylor quickly took advantage by marching 65 yards in just five plays, culminating in a 40-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to Monaray Baldwin, putting the Bears in command.

A 20-yard punt from Oliver Straw, who is usually reliable, allowed Baylor to find the end zone again with another quick strike, this time a 51-yard run from Washington, extending their lead to 28-14.

Key takeaways from the game include Baylor’s first victory in Morgantown in seven attempts, and an exceptional performance by Robertson, who has faced West Virginia twice, completing 43 of 55 passes. For West Virginia, this marks their first instance of losing four home games since 2019, the initial year of coach Neal Brown’s tenure, and indicates a worrying trend as the team has been outscored in the second half in eight out of ten games this season.

Looking ahead, Baylor will travel to face Houston next Saturday, while West Virginia is set to host UCF on the same day.