By John Werner

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Baylor coach Art Briles should preserve Saturday night’s 38-10 win over Iowa State in his video library as a reference tool.

That’s the way he wants to see his team play every night. Every area of the squad — offense, defense and special teams — contributed in a big way to the Bears’ best all-around performance of the season.

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The day after

• »  Bears eager for more wins after complete performance vs. Iowa State
• »  Bear Blog: Griffin isn't Bears' only great freshman

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Baylor vs. Iowa State

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• »   Game story: Baylor Bears football team busts Big 12 losing streak in style, 38-10 over Iowa State
• »   Baylor defense gets it done, keeping Iowa State out of end zone for 3 quarters
• »   Notebook: Bears match biggest win in Big 12 Conference play
  
  
• Updated team stats
• Full game summary

BEARS IN ACTION BU dominates Iowa State for 38-10 win

BAYLOR FANS CHEER Baylor backers out in force

“The most encouraging thing is we looked like a football team,” Briles said Sunday. “We executed our offense, our defenders rallied to the ball and our special teams were real solid. Our guys played extremely hard and passionately, and that’s how we were able to win the game.”

What Briles liked most is that so many players factored into the win as the Bears evened their overall record at 3-3 and improved to 1-1 in the Big 12.

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin hit 21 of 24 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, setting a school record with an 87.5 completion percentage. But he had plenty of help from his teammates as eight players ran the ball and seven players caught passes for an offense that accumulated 435 yards and scored four touchdowns.

“The way we spread the ball around is the way we’d like to do it every week,” Briles said. “When our system is working at its best, 12 to 15 people are touching the ball.”

Freshman receiver Kendall Wright had a spectacular night, making a career-high seven catches for 132 yards and two scores. He made a diving catch at the back of the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown from Griffin in the first quarter. But he delivered an even more memorable play in the fourth quarter.

Not ‘many plays like that’

Taking a short pass from Griffin, Wright avoided several Iowa State defenders as he danced along the right sideline. He then cut all the way across the field and outraced everybody down the left sideline before diving into the end zone for a 51-yard TD.

“You just don’t see many guys make plays like that,” Briles said. “When something like that pass play happens, it inspires everybody. Kendall is very passionate about the game and wants to be a great player, and he goes out on the field and backs it up.”

After failing to catch a pass in the first five games, Brad Taylor caught three passes for 33 yards. David Gettis also had a solid night with five catches for 73 yards. Meanwhile, Jay Finley led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 60 yards while Jeremy Sanders contributed 33 yards on 10 carries.

Baylor’s secondary was especially active as it broke up 10 passes and limited Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud to 21 completions in 41 attempts for 176 yards.

Making just his second start, sophomore cornerback Antareis Bryan broke up three passes to match safety Jordan Lake for the team high. Safety Jeremy Williams had two pass breakups and made two tackles for losses, while true freshman Trentson Hill made his first career interception.

“Antareis has played well the last couple of weeks, and it goes back to him feeling more comfortable and confident,” Briles said. “It’s big when you’ve got a guy on the edge making plays like that.”

Return provides lift

Mikail Baker’s 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half also gave the Bears a big lift. Baylor’s special teams have been erratic this year, but they performed at a high level against the Cyclones. Ben Parks nailed a career-long 36-yard field goal, while Derek Epperson averaged 43.3 yards on three punts.

“When you get a kickoff return like Mikail had, it really boosts the emotion of the team,” Briles said. “It gave our players and our crowd a burst of energy.”

The Bears will start a killer stretch of games with a date against Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater. The unbeaten Cowboys moved from 17th to eighth in the Associated Press poll with their 28-23 upset of then-No. 3 Missouri Saturday in Columbia.

“That was a big win for Oklahoma State,” Briles said. “But we’re just going to have to go up there and be us. We’re going to have to play with the same intensity and emotion that we played with against Iowa State. We’re fighting for respectability and credibility, and this is another chance to earn it.”

jwerner@wacotrib.com

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