Written by Erik Slaby
Phoenix, AZ - On a cool evening here in Phoenix, at Chase Field, the Baylor University Bears (7-6) defeated the Boise State University Broncos (10-3), 31-12 to win the Cactus Bowl. From the start, both teams came out and started fast but as the game went on, it looked like Baylor had more urgency and more drive to win than Boise State did. Early on, it was a bit closer.
By the end of the first quarter, it looked like it would be a close game, as Baylor led 7-0. By halftime though, Baylor led 21-6 and it felt like a rout of Boise State. By halftime, even though Boise State was winning the time of possession battle, 18:11 to 11:49 for Baylor, quarterback Brett Rypien also threw two interceptions in the red zone. Those interceptions hampered any momentum the team had created to that point.
The Boise State rushing attack also struggled throughout the game as they totaled 83 rushing yards as a team. Also, star running back Jeremy McNichols had 19 carries for only 46 yards and averaged 2.4 yards a carry. This game was his worst rushing performance of the season. Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin spoke about the job Baylor did limiting the rushing attack.
“They did a good job up front,” Harsin said. “They moved their D-Line and they got on some edges. But I thought he (McNichols) ran hard. We just got behind.”Harsin also added that he thought McNichols,”did a good job tonight in pass protection as well.”
Baylor was led by the Offensive Player of the Game in wide receiver KD Cannon. He finished with a Cactus Bowl record of 226 yards receiving, which was also a career-high, on 14 receptions. Quarterback Zach Smith, who originally began the season as the backup to Seth Russell before he was injured, finished with 28 completions on 39 attempts, for 375 yards passing, three touchdowns and one interception. Running back Terrance Williams also added 25 carries for 103 yards. Smith spoke after the game about the connection between him and Cannon and the coverages Boise State used.
“They were just kind of giving us some one-on-one coverage, and with KD and with him on anyone one-on-one, we think it’s a win for us,” Smith said. He also added, “I go to him on some plays and he gets the job done. He’s a big play-maker, so I go to him and he usually gets the job done.”
With this win, Baylor finishes the season with a 7-6 record, which is impressive, given the amount of turmoil and scrutiny that this program has been under and surrounded by since this past offseason. The Baylor football program should be able to use the momentum from this win and parlay it into next season, under new head coach Matt Rhule. Current head coach Jim Grobe spoke after the game about the win and how he felt about this team this season.
“I’m very gratified that we won tonight,” Grobe said. “But mostly because of our players and our coaches. They’ve put in a lot of hard work. And I’m just blessed and honored to have a chance to be here this season with these coaches and players.” He also added, “I just can’t tell you what an honor it’s been to be at Baylor. Baylor Nation is fantastic and I couldn’t be more proud.”
By the end of the first quarter, it looked like it would be a close game, as Baylor led 7-0. By halftime though, Baylor led 21-6 and it felt like a rout of Boise State. By halftime, even though Boise State was winning the time of possession battle, 18:11 to 11:49 for Baylor, quarterback Brett Rypien also threw two interceptions in the red zone. Those interceptions hampered any momentum the team had created to that point.
The Boise State rushing attack also struggled throughout the game as they totaled 83 rushing yards as a team. Also, star running back Jeremy McNichols had 19 carries for only 46 yards and averaged 2.4 yards a carry. This game was his worst rushing performance of the season. Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin spoke about the job Baylor did limiting the rushing attack.
“They did a good job up front,” Harsin said. “They moved their D-Line and they got on some edges. But I thought he (McNichols) ran hard. We just got behind.”Harsin also added that he thought McNichols,”did a good job tonight in pass protection as well.”
Baylor was led by the Offensive Player of the Game in wide receiver KD Cannon. He finished with a Cactus Bowl record of 226 yards receiving, which was also a career-high, on 14 receptions. Quarterback Zach Smith, who originally began the season as the backup to Seth Russell before he was injured, finished with 28 completions on 39 attempts, for 375 yards passing, three touchdowns and one interception. Running back Terrance Williams also added 25 carries for 103 yards. Smith spoke after the game about the connection between him and Cannon and the coverages Boise State used.
“They were just kind of giving us some one-on-one coverage, and with KD and with him on anyone one-on-one, we think it’s a win for us,” Smith said. He also added, “I go to him on some plays and he gets the job done. He’s a big play-maker, so I go to him and he usually gets the job done.”
With this win, Baylor finishes the season with a 7-6 record, which is impressive, given the amount of turmoil and scrutiny that this program has been under and surrounded by since this past offseason. The Baylor football program should be able to use the momentum from this win and parlay it into next season, under new head coach Matt Rhule. Current head coach Jim Grobe spoke after the game about the win and how he felt about this team this season.
“I’m very gratified that we won tonight,” Grobe said. “But mostly because of our players and our coaches. They’ve put in a lot of hard work. And I’m just blessed and honored to have a chance to be here this season with these coaches and players.” He also added, “I just can’t tell you what an honor it’s been to be at Baylor. Baylor Nation is fantastic and I couldn’t be more proud.”