Saturday marked Baylor’s first home game since the dismissal of head coach Dave Aranda, and the Bears delivered a statement win over the Iowa State Cyclones, 42‑31. The turnaround began after a 17‑7 second‑quarter hole, when quarterback DJ Lagway sparked a four‑touchdown run that put Baylor on a 21‑17 lead at halftime.
Lagway’s breakout day
Lagway threw for 229 yards on 16 of 28 attempts, finding a receiver twice for touchdowns and avoiding any interceptions. He also rushed for a career‑high 119 yards on 13 carries, including a 54‑yard sprint that opened the scoring surge. His 62‑yard touchdown pass to Taz Williams Jr. and a 33‑yard run by Ryelan Morris extended the lead to 35‑17 midway through the third quarter.
Interim coach Joe Klanderman’s impact
Interim head coach Joe Klanderman, who also serves as Baylor’s first‑year defensive coordinator, praised his players for playing “loose and free” and maintaining relentless pressure. “You’re going to get four quarters of pressure from Baylor as long as I have anything to say about it,” Klanderman said after the game. The defensive effort forced several key stops that helped the offense regain momentum.
Iowa State’s response
Despite the loss, the Cyclones showed flashes of resilience. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor completed 22 of 37 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns, including a quick 9‑yard strike to Vince Benetti that trimmed the deficit to 35‑23 early in the fourth quarter. Running back Aiden Flora contributed 182 rushing yards on 26 carries, highlighted by a 40‑yard touchdown run in the first half.
Key statistics
- Baylor: 229 passing yards, 119 rushing yards, 3 total touchdowns from Lagway.
- Iowa State: 256 passing yards, 182 rushing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown.
- Both teams combined for eight touchdowns, five of which traveled 33 yards or more.
- Iowa State incurred seven penalties for 70 yards and converted only 8 of 17 third‑down attempts.
Looking ahead
Iowa State returns home next Saturday to face Cincinnati, hoping to rebound from the third loss in four games. Baylor’s next challenge is a road matchup against No. 7 BYU, where the Bears will aim to build on their offensive resurgence and solid defensive pressure.
Takeaway
Lagway’s dual‑threat display suggests he has overcome an early‑season ankle issue, adding a valuable weapon to Baylor’s offense. Klanderman noted, “He showed today that he can be dangerous when he does that,” underscoring the potential for a more dynamic attack as the season progresses.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
