Bryce Petty impresses in return as Baylor dominates Buffalo

If Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty was still feeling the effects of the back injury suffered in the season opener, he didn't show it on Friday night. Petty returned to the lineup after missing last week's game to lead the Bears to a 63-21 trouncing of Buffalo.

Petty cracked a pair of small bones in his back during Baylor's 45-0 win over SMU on Aug. 31. 

He showed why he is considered a Heisman Trophy contender, completing 23-of-34 passes for 416 yards and four touchdowns. The 416 yards were the second most of his career, trailing only the 430 he accumulated in a 59-14 win over Kansas last season.

The senior directed the Bears to touchdowns on each of their first four drives and a 35-0 advantage by halftime.

Despite the numerous injuries to the Bears' wide receiver corps, Petty had no problem piling up the numbers. KD Cannon, Jay Lee and Lynx Hawthorne all had more than 100 receiving yards, with Cannon leading the bunch with 189 yards on six receptions. 

Cannon entered the game sixth in the nation in receiving yards and will take over the lead heading into the weekend. The true freshman is averaging an astounding 33.6 yards per reception over his first three college games.

Petty did most of his damage in the first half, making way for backup Seth Russell in the fourth quarter. Petty now has some extra time to rest his back (not that he appeared to need it on Friday) as Baylor is off next week before travelling to face Iowa State on Sept. 27.