This definitely wasn’t how Matt Rhule wanted to begin his career at Baylor. Liberty quarterback Stephen Calvert torched the Baylor defense for 447 yards en route to a shocking 48-45 win for the Flames.
The Bears found themselves down 3-0 with 11:27 left in the first quarter and weren’t able to answer on their following possession. Liberty drove down the field once more and with another Alex Probert field goal extended their lead to 6-0. Baylor was finally able to get on the scoreboard in the 2nd quarter, when Anu Solomon connected with Denzel Mims on a 45 yard pass.
The Baylor lead didn’t last long though, Calvert hit receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden for a 40 yard touchdown pass to take the lead after making a two-point conversion. The teams entered the half tied at 17.
Baylor got the ball first to begin the second half, but Solomon threw a pick 6 and Liberty took the lead 24-17. Baylor was able to answer 22 seconds later, when Solomon hit Chris Platt on a 20 yard touchdown pass. After a quick start the pace of the 3rd quarter slowed dramatically and at the 5:48 mark Liberty reclaimed the lead on a 31 yard field goal, bringing the score to 27-24.
Baylor only needed 11 seconds to take the lead back, Solomon threw a 75 yard bomb to Chris Platt and the Bears were up 31-27. Stephen Calvert was able to take advantage of the inexperienced Baylor secondary again with a 13 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gandy-Golden, giving Liberty the lead once more 34-31.
Liberty lined up and ran the ball straight at the Baylor defense to start the 4th quarter. The Flames were able to turn a busted play into a score, as Calvert ran the ball in for a 8 yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 41-31. Solomon wasn’t looking to be outdone, so he drove Baylor into the red zone and finished it with an 11 yard run by John Lovett to bring it back within three at 41-38.
The Flames torched the Baylor defense again on a 26 yard touchdown pass from Calvert to Spencer Jones, bringing the score to 48-38 Liberty. Baylor kept clawing away and was able to score on a 34 yard touchdown run by John Lovett, making the score 48-45 Liberty. With one last hope Baylor went for a Hail Mary, but Liberty intercepted the ball to end the game.
When asked how he felt after visiting with his team Coach Rhule responded by saying “I know their disappointed and their hurt, but at the same time , they’re not blaming each other. They were coming together, which in hard times is what you do and I told them I put this game on me as the head coach. We’ll fight, work, scratch, and claw to get it corrected and I expect them to do the same and I know they will.”
