Baylor secured its first away victory of the season with a commanding performance against Arizona State in Tempe. The Bears utilized a high-powered offensive attack and a disciplined defensive front to overwhelm the Sun Devils on October 3, 2026.
DJ Lagway's 306-yard breakout in Tempe
Quarterback DJ Lagway delivered a career-defining performance at Mountain America Stadium, completing 25 of 40 passes for 306 yards. According to the report, Lagway accounted for five total touchdowns—four through the air and one on the ground—demonstrating a level of confidence and decision-making that had previously been elusive this season.
The aerial assault was supported by a reliable receiving corps. Gavin Freeman led the Baylor Bears with 115 receiving yards on seven catches, while Louis Brown IV and Jadon Porter each secured a touchdown. This synergy between Lagway and his targets suggests the Baylor offense has finally found its identity after a rocky start to the campaign.
The 244-yard surge and Knighten's 75-yard sprint
While the psasing game grabbed headlines, the Baylor ground attack was equally devastating, racking up 244 total rushing yards. The Bears averaged an impressive 6.8 yards per carry, a season-high for the unit. Caden Knighten spearheaded this effort with 84 yards, highlighted by a massive 75-yard touchdown run that shifted the game's momentum.
The depth of the Baylor backfield was further evidenced by true freshman Ryelan Morris, who also recorded 84 yards and a 63-yard touchdown.. As reported, the Baylor offensive line played a pivotal role in these big plays , consistently creating the gaps necessary for the running backs to break away for long-distance scores.
Limiting Arizona State to 99 rushing yards
On the defensive side of the ball, Baylor completely neutralized the Arizona State rushing attack, holding the Sun Devils to just 99 yards on the ground. The defensive line and linebackers worked in tandem to stifle the run and force the Arizona State offense into predictable passing situations.
Individual effort played a key role in this defensive lockdown, with Devon Jordan leading the Baylor Bears with 11 tackles and a pass breakup. the defense also managed to force a critical fumble, which served as a major momentum swing and pervented Arizona State from establishing any consistent rhythm in their own half.
Moving past the struggles against Colorado
This victory serves as a critical corrective to Baylor's previous outing against Colorado. In that earlier contest, DJ Lagway struggled with his comfort level and accuracy, leaving questions about the quarterback's ability to lead the offense under pressure. The contrast in Tempe is stark; Lagway appeared more composed and capable of making the "tough throws" required to sustain long drives.
The win over Arizona State reflects a broader trend of the Baylor Bears finding their footing as a cohesive unit.. By combining a dominant run game with a revitalized passing attack,Baylor has moved from a team of inconsiistent flashes to a balanced powerhouse capable of winning on the road.
The 310 passing yards allowed and the pass protection gap
Despite the victory, certain vulnerabilities remain for the Baylor Bears. The report notes that Arizona State was still able to throw for 310 yards, suggesting that the Baylor secondary may struggle against high-volume passing attacks. Additionally, the source mentions that pass protection was not perfect, as DJ Lagway faced pressure at various points during the game.
It remains unclear exactly which Arizona State receivers were the primary catalysts for those 310 yards, as the source does not name specific Sun Devils offensive stars. Furthermore, it is unknown if the pressure Lagway faced was a result of Arizona State's specific blitz packages or a systemic weakness in the Baylor offensive line that could be exploited by stronger opponents.
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