Bryson Blue
Author
Week 9 is officially in the books for the Big 12 Conference, and what a week it was. The Big 12 had it all, from comebacks to close games, complete blowouts, and shutouts. The race for the Big 12 title game is heating up, and now is the time to tune in.
A little in-state rivalry never hurt anyone. The Kansas State Wildcats (4-4, 3-2) defeated the Kansas Jayhawks (4-4, 2-3) by a score of 42-17. The game was relatively close until the third quarter, but once the Wildcats took off, they never came back.
Wildcats’ quarterback Avery Johnson threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Johnson rushed for an additional two touchdowns, effectively leading the team to victory. Jalon Daniels and Cole Ballard both threw interceptions for the Jayhawks, digging a hole they just couldn’t come back from.
After trailing 24-10 in the second quarter, the No. 10 BYU Cougars (8-0, 5-0) came back to beat the Iowa State Cyclones (5-3, 2-3) on the road by a score of 41-27. The Cougars just keep winning, and the nation is starting to take notice.
Cougars’ wide receiver Parker Kingston is red hot, going off for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Kingston, the speedster from Layton, Utah, scored at least a rushing or receiving touchdown in the Cougars’ last four games. Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier has the Cougars’ offense humming, throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns. The BYU defense gave Iowa State loads of trouble, picking off Cyclones’ QB Rocco Becht three different times.
The No. 17 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1, 5-0) dominated the Baylor Bears (4-4, 2-3) by a score of 41-20. Baylor continues to struggle, while Cincinnati makes a statement to the country. Cincinnati has since gotten the respect it deserves, jumping up to No. 17 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Bearcats will travel to face the now No. 24 Utah Utes for an ESPN College Gameday presentation.
Bearcats’ QB Brendan Sorsby had himself a game, throwing for 111 yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown as well. Running backs Tawee Walker and Evan Pryor also scored a rushing touchdown each. Bears’ QB Sawyer Robertson put forth his best effort with three total touchdowns, but it was not enough to overcome Cincinnati.
The No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-1, 4-1) pitched a shutout against the Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-7, 0-5), 42-0. The Red Raiders dominated every part of this game, completely suffocating the Cowboys. Things just keep getting worse in Stillwater.
The pair of Red Raiders’ QBs, Mitch Griffis and Will Hammond, both threw a passing touchdown in efficient games. Griffis and Cameron Dickey both scored rushing touchdowns as well. No matter what the Cowboys tried, the Red Raiders were already a step ahead.
The TCU Horned Frogs (6-2, 3-2) beat the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-6, 0-5) by a score of 23-17. Horned Frogs’ QB Josh Hoover threw for 247 yards and a touchdown to WR Eric McAlister. RB Trent Battle rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown as well.
On the Mountaineers’ side, QB Scotty Fox Jr. played well, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Jeff Weimer and Grayson Barnes were the recipients of those Fox Jr. touchdowns. However, it was not enough to keep up with TCU as they fell short.
The No. 22 Houston Cougars (7-1, 4-1) have been having a solid season, finally breaking into the top 25 after beating the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-3, 3-2), 24-16. After taking down the Sun Devils on the road, the Cougars are now ranked No. 22.
Cougars’ QB Connor Weigman led the team to victory, throwing for 201 yards, a passing touchdown, and rushing two touchdowns himself. Arizona State was down 24-0 in the third quarter, and after scoring 16 unanswered points, the comeback attempt was just short. Sun Devils’ QB Sam Leavitt threw for 270 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
The No. 24 Utah Utes (6-2, 3-2) demolished the Colorado Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4) by a score of 53-7. After the Utes lost to their bitter rival, BYU, last week, it is safe to say that Utah played angrily, showing no mercy. Utes’ QB Devon Dampier was unable to play, so true freshman Byrd Ficklin got the start.
There is no other way to describe Utah’s performance other than complete domination. The Utes out-gained the Buffaloes 422 yards to 38 yards rushing. In total offense, the Utes had 587 yards while the Buffaloes had 140. Utah led this game 43-0 at halftime, and the Buffaloes didn’t score until the fourth quarter. The Utes’ future is in good hands with Ficklin, who threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Ficklin is also a run threat, as he rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown as well.
These highly-productive gunslingers are masters at ball security and putting the football in exactly the right spot
Tony Thomas
Author
The No. 1 quarterback in the FBS plays in Waco, TX
The Utah Utes (3-1, 0-1) will travel to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1) on Sept. 27. After Utah’s disappointing outing against Texas Tech, the Utes will look for redemption.
