Two days prior, Lake Travis grad Baker Mayfield received the call that he was going to be a Los Angeles Ram. Oddsmakers gave him no chance, with the Raiders as heavy favorites. However, everyone should have known better. Raiders are 0-5 against the spread in their last five meetings with the Rams.
Baker Mayfield’s first 48 hours with the Rams was a roller coaster. From not knowing the layout of the Inglewood facility, to leading a thrilling comeback victory over Las Vegas, Mayfield came into his new situation game ready — exemplifying the principles of what it takes to be a Texas HS Football athlete. Post game, Mayfield wore a hat that said “not my first rodeo”, a cheeky reference to both his dogged perseverance and his Lone Star State roots.
Coming into the TNF contest, Mayfield only managed to learn a portion of the Rams’ playbook. He already had the experience: he learned a different offensive system in the four years he played in Cleveland and the half a season in Carolina.
After trailing 16-10 late in the fourth quarter, the Rams received the ball back with 98 yards to go down the field. Making the tough climb involved an unsportsmanlike conduct call after getting sacked and a Ben Skowronek contested grab for 32 yards. Mayfield capped the drive by connecting to Van Jefferson for the 23 yard touchdown pass.
It’s the kind of heart that propelled Baker and Lake Travis to only losing two games in his tenure, as well as a winning the 2011 4A State Championship. It’s also the kind of heart he showed when bailing from Texas Tech to attend the University of Oklahoma, effectively earning a few College Football Playoff spots, and being honored with several Heisman votes.
Good news for Mayfield: he now has 11 games to prepare for the next contest.
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