BYU Vs. Baylor: Live Updates, Analysis, And More From Waco

WACO, Texas  – The third meeting all-time featuring BYU vs Baylor kicks off today at McLane Stadium here on the banks of the Brazos River. This matchup is the first meeting between the two schools since 1984.

Baylor is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference dating back to 1996. BYU will be joining the Big 12 beginning in 2023.

Views from the press box at @McLaneStadium. 👍 #BYUvsBaylor #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/qKBIn71q7E

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

Both teams enter the game with 5-1 records. BYU comes into the matchup with a No. 19 ranking in the AP Top 25, No. 20 in the Coaches Poll. The Cougars have won three games this season against Power Five opponents, the Bears are the fourth team the Cougars are facing from a power league.

Baylor in year two under head coach Dave Aranda has exceeded everyone’s expectations by starting the season with five wins through the first six games. The Bears had their lone setback against Oklahoma State three weeks ago.

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda has arrived here at McLane Stadium.#BYU #BYUvsBaylor #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/pqSEfoypwm

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

BYU won the last meeting between the two programs back in 1984. Baylor got the upper hand on BYU in the lone previous meeting in 1983.

This year’s matchup has some intriguing storylines with both coaching staffs having a lot of familiarity with one another. Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes coached in the same role at BYU the previous three years.

The Bears also have offensive line coach Eric Mateos who was at BYU the previous two seasons along with offensive analyst Matt Mitchell.

KSL Sports is on location here in Waco for BYU vs. Baylor and we will have you covered throughout the day with all the latest from McLane Stadium. Keep checking back here for updates throughout the game.

4th Quarter

Issues I've seen from BYU's rushing defense:
LBs are catching blocks. They aren't blowing up the blocks.
Missed tackles.
DLinemen getting pushed back one on one.
Been playing 6 in the box.

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 16, 2021

BYU enjoyed having a core of three three-year starters through the end of the 2020 season. Guys backing them up who are now starters are young & inexperienced relatively. Need to get more from them, no doubt. Baylor is bullying them today#BYUvsBU #BYUfootball #BYU https://t.co/5jM7ooRpPc

— The Name's Hatch, Jake Hatch (Yawk) (@JacobCHatch) October 16, 2021

3rd Quarter

One quarter left from Waco. pic.twitter.com/J8xFNMYe2U

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

One fumble by #BYU changes things completely.

Baylor answers with a TD.@BUFootball – 31 @BYUFootball – 14

4:32 | 3rd #BYUvsBAYLOR #GoCougs

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

The first penalty of the game called at the 3:24 mark of the 3rd quarter. Tyler Allgeier flagged for holding.#BYU #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Baylor capitalizes on the #BYU fumble, strikes fast with a TD. BU 31, BYU 14.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

The young Freshman backup Just sets a bit wide and gives up the BIG NO NO. Never give up your inside. I've been here. This is a tough game when you're young. pic.twitter.com/biVHaZAEy7

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 16, 2021

#BYU badly missing some of their week one starters along the offensive line.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

.@J_tom24 was GONE. 💨#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsBAYLOR https://t.co/klfA3HMWqD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

#BYU defensive line injuries mounting up. Earl Tuioti-Mariner was being looked at by team trainers. Now Jacob Palu is being helped off the field. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

KALANI IS A MOOD. #BYUFootball #GoCougs
pic.twitter.com/wsYUPVhHvK

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

Don't forget how great Puka Nacua is playing. Eclipsed the 100-yard mark for receiving. Continues to be a factor in jet sweeps. #BYU offense makes a statement to open the second half. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

TD JAREN HALL!@J_tom24 #BYU #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball #GoCougs

📸: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/61H4QawdvX

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

That's what makes Jaren Hall great. His ability to make big runs. #BYU desperately needed that.#BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Jaren Hall breaks free for a 56-yard touchdown run on 4th & 1. #BYU is back in the game.

Gutsy move by #BYU. Cougs are back in it. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

2nd Quarter

Baylor rolling through #BYU right now.

Can the Cougars bounce back in the second half?#BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/QbGmfRErbp

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

Why did #BYU burn a timeout to run deep in their own territory? Now the Cougars have to punt the ball back to Baylor with 10 seconds left in the half. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Baylor offense is on a roll. Bears are averaging 7.7 yards per play.#BYU defense needs an answer quick. @BUFootball – 17 @BYUfootball – 7

3:36 | 2nd #BYUvsBAYLOR #GoCougs

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

BYU giving up too much on 1st downs!
Well, BYU is trying to crowd the line a bit but only 6 in the box here.
Baylor Oline moving BYUs down linemen a bit. Doing it 1 on 1 here, no combos.
Baylor has some good Oline play.

This was a cut block IMO pic.twitter.com/37UZeNVEGt

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 16, 2021

There you go. #BYU defense comes up with a stop.

Aggressive decision by Baylor backfires.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Mitchell Juergens on the #BYU Sports Network reports that Morgan Pyper suffered a head injury.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Baylor RB Abram Smith moves the #BYU pile into the endzone for a touchdown.

7 plays, 75 yards for the Bears. @BUFootball – 10 @BYUfootball – 7

8:54 | 2nd #BYUvsBAYLOR #GoCougs

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

Oh man, things just go from bad to worse for #BYU. #BYU return time was two yards away from the closest spot they could be on the field. Baylor attacked right in the heart of that coverage with an onside kick.

Bears offense back on the field.

All momentum in favor of Baylor.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

This is a terrible mistake by the BYU special teams. Down line taking off before the ball is kicked.
Great call and play by the Baylor special teams. pic.twitter.com/tMsLvLbKyV

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 16, 2021

Baylor LB Dillon Doyle just scored a touchdown as a fullback.#BYU defense has no answers for this Jeff Grimes attack right now.

Baylor 17, BYU 7.#BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Jake Oldroyd misses a 50-yard field goal. The six-yard sack by Baylor on Jaren Hall the previous play proves costly. #BYU #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

After back-to-back targets, Puka Nacua was just taped up on his left arm by trainers near his elbow. #BYU #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

TD run from who else? You know who, @tylerallgeier17. 🤙#BYU #GoCougs #BYUvsBaylor pic.twitter.com/1HbldZ5Was

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

Jaren Hall has been efficient through the first three possessions. 7-of-8 for 90 yards. QBR: 182. #BYU #BYUvsBaylor #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Power football from #BYU down near the goal line. Offensive line sealed off the Baylor front and Tyler Allgeier runs into the endzone.

Cougars take their first lead of the game. 7-3 with 12:17 to go in the 2nd. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

1st Quarter

Work to be done for @BYUfootball through one quarter. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/mhrTRrWvkT

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

.@WilgarPayton with the pick 💪🛑#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsBAYLOR https://t.co/edl9BosQuJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

2 young BYU Olinemen on the right side give up a big sack on 3rd down. This will get better with experience. It's an easy fix that these guys will talk about during the half.
Baylor ran a NICE stunt! pic.twitter.com/O0xhsN53RN

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 16, 2021

Puka Nacua has elite instincts. Excellent football player. #BYU offense comes to life. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

BYU tries a flea-flicker & it blows up after a sack#BYUvsBU #BYUfootball #BYU

— The Name's Hatch, Jake Hatch (Yawk) (@JacobCHatch) October 16, 2021

Malik Moore has made a lot of improvements in his game from week one to now. He needed more game reps, he's getting them. Now he's making TD-saving plays. #BYU #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Through two drives, #BYU's offense hasn't found its footing yet.

14 total yards. (-4) rushing yards.#BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

I'm shocked this is Baylor's 1st pick! Terrible decision to throw this ball! Horrible.
Great INT by Wilgar! pic.twitter.com/fRlYcCGBgT

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 16, 2021

#BYU defense stepping up in a big way. Baylor QB Gerry Bohanon throws first interception of the season.#BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

Payton Wilgar with an interception in the endzone. Loud chants of "B-Y-U! B-Y-U!" ensued from the #BYU faithful in attendance.#BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

#BYU defense in pre-snap appeared to have some confusion on the backend. Baylor QB Gerry Bonaon capitalizes and connects with R.J. Sneed for a fourth down conversion. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

#BYU forces Baylor to go three-and-out. What a confidence boost for a BYU defense that has struggled to get off the field on third down. #BYUvsBAYLOR #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 16, 2021

BYU vs Baylor Pregame Notes

–Baylor rolled out the red carpet for BYU into their new environment of the Big 12 Conference.

Baylor with a #Big12 welcome to @BYUfootball. #GoCougs #BYU #BYUvsBaylor pic.twitter.com/3m9F528Hv0

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

–Baylor Romney warmed up in pregame phase one. He’s available to play today if needed. Romney was out last week due to concussion protocol.

–WR Keanu Hill was the first player onto the field in pregame. He will have a large contingent of family and friends gathered here at the game today. Hill is a Texas native. He prepped at Trinity High School in Euless, Texas.

–Did not see Harris LaChance with the offensive line. He’s still battling an injury.

–FB/TE Masen Wake participated in warmups, he will play in today’s game.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.