The points came in stops and starts, but No. 4 Baylor overcame SMU to open their season with a 56-21 win in Dallas. The Bears piled up 722 yards of total offense, and rushed for 300 yards as a team.
2015 Baylor vs. SMU final score, with 3 things to know from the Bears’ 56-21 win
Suspicions confirmed: Baylor can still score a lot of points.
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
It was 14-7 Baylor before even two minutes had run off the clock in the first quarter, and the teams kept the points rolling into the second quarter at 28-14. Seth Russell had three touchdown passes in the first quarter alone. SMU made it a 28-21 game in the second quarter, and that's when things slowed down. In fact, Baylor only managed one single yard of offense in the second quarter. One!
Both teams were sloppy, and the game stayed tight well into the third quarter. But like most games, Baylor eventually wore down their opponents and opened up a comfortable lead. Seth Russell hit Jay Lee twice for touchdown passes at the end of the third quarter, and from there the Bears were able to coast to a win that was tougher than the scoreline would indicate.
Russell ended the game with a line of 15-30 for 376 yards, six touchdowns and one pick, and also rushed for another touchdown. Corey Coleman led all receivers with 178 yards and a touchdown on only five receptions, and KD Cannon had 104 yards and a score. Jay Lee had three touchdown catches. Even true freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham got in on the fun, throwing a 42 yard touchdown pass on his first play as a college player.
Matt Davis went 16-23 for 166 yards, two touchdowns and two picks for SMU, and was also the team's leading rusher with 115 yards. Courtland Sutton caught both touchdown passes for the Mustangs.
Three things to know
1. Baylor: still high powered. The Bears had to replace prolific quarterback Bryce Petty, but the passing game was once again looking powerful with Seth Russell at the helm. Art Briles would probably like a more consistent effort over 60 minutes, but it's hard to complain about six touchdown passes.
2. SMU is a lot better already. The Mustangs may have been the worst team in the country in 2014. Add just one offseason under new head coach Chad Morris, and the Ponies look like a completely new team. It’s only Sept. 4th, but it seems like the rebuild is ahead of schedule.
3. Baylor knows about style points. After getting stung by the College Football Playoff committee last year, you would think the Bears are acutely aware that they need to look impressive at every possible opportunity. 56 on the scoreboard looks pretty nice.
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