HOUSTON — In a Saturday night showdown, Sawyer Robertson led Baylor to a 20-10 victory over Houston, marking the Bears’ fifth consecutive win.
Robertson completed 15 of his 23 passes for 204 yards but did struggle with three interceptions. He connected with Michael Trigg on a 5-yard touchdown and found Ashtyn Hawkins for a 23-yard score during a first half that saw Baylor take a 17-7 lead at halftime.
Hawkins had a standout performance with six receptions for 65 yards, while Trigg made four catches for a total of 96 yards for Baylor, now sitting at 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big 12.
Baylor’s defense shone brightly, outgaining Houston 325 total yards to 239, and particularly dominated the first half with a striking 268-57 yard advantage.
For Houston, quarterback Zeon Chriss managed to go 13 of 24 for 126 yards but also experienced difficulties, throwing three interceptions.
The Cougars, now 4-7 and 3-5 in conference play, were led by Stephon Johnson, who caught three passes for 54 yards and Re’Shaun Sanford II, who rushed for 37 yards. This loss marked Houston’s second in a row, preventing them from reaching bowl eligibility for the second straight season.
A highlight for the Cougars came from Jeremiah Wilson, who recorded two interceptions, including a notable 41-yard return for a touchdown with just 32 seconds left in the first quarter that tied the game at 7.
Looking at the takeaway from the match, Baylor has put itself in contention for the Big 12 Championship game with this crucial win. The Bears’ defense proved effective against Chriss, managing to force four turnovers over the course of the game.
Conversely, Houston’s offense has continued to struggle, managing to score 10 points or fewer for the fifth time this season. The Cougars entered the game ranked last in the nation regarding red zone efficiency, having converted just 11 of 19 opportunities. During this match, they improved slightly to 1 for 2 in the red zone but still only managed a field goal, and they have not scored an offensive touchdown since November 2 against Kansas State.
Looking ahead, Baylor will host Kansas next Saturday for their regular-season finale, while Houston will travel to face No. 14 BYU to conclude their season.