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Baylor thwarts late 2-point try to edge No. 14 Iowa State

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WACO, Texas (AP) — Gerry Bohanon threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and Baylor stopped a two-point try with 24 seconds left to beat No. 14 Iowa State 31-29 on Saturday.

Breece Hall ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries for Iowa State (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) and caught five passes for 51 yards, including a 16-yard score in the final minute that was followed by a failed two-point try.

The Bears recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock for their first win over a ranked opponent since they beat North Carolina in the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl.

The Bears (4-0, 2-0) scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and never trailed again. Bohannon ran for an 8-yard touchdown, then found Tyquan Thornton along the left sideline for a 21-yard TD and Ben Sims behind the Iowa State secondary for a 33-yard score to give Baylor a 21-7 lead seven seconds into the second quarter.

Bohannon finished 14 for 19 for 164 yards and rushed for 36 yards.

Treston Ebner returned a kickoff 98 yards for Baylor's only touchdown of the second half with 6:59 left in the third quarter.

Brock Purdy was 22 for 33 for 263 yards and a touchdown. He was also intercepted once, stopping a drive at the Baylor 22 with 11:55 left in the game.

THE TAKEAWAY

Baylor: The Bears had already have doubled their win total from 2020 but were heavy favorites against Texas State, Texas Southern and Kansas. Baylor was an underdog Saturday and was outgained by Iowa State 469-284. But the Bears won with special teams and a bend-but-don’t-break defense.

Iowa State: Hall lived up to his billing, but the Cyclones couldn’t finish drives. Outside of their two touchdown marches, they managed nine points on five trips to or inside the Baylor 30. Iowa State held the ball for 35:53, went 3 for 3 on fourth down to make up for a 5-for-14 day on third down, and the Cyclones had balance with 263 yards passing and 206 rushing.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Iowa State was ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll but will likely fall out of the Top 25 with their second loss. Baylor should begin to receive votes.

UP NEXT

Iowa State will return home to meet Kansas on Oct. 2.

Baylor will go on the road to meet Oklahoma State on Oct. 2.

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