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In a commanding performance, Baylor overwhelmed Arizona State, securing a decisive victory. The Bears amassed over 564 total yards and put up more than 45 points within the first three quarters, showcasing a high-powered offense that the Sun Devils could not contain.
Quarterback DJ Lagway delivered an exceptional game, completing 25 of 40 passes for over 300 yards and a career-best five total touchdowns. The most striking aspect of the win was Baylor's ground attack, which racked up 244 rushing yards. Caden Knighten broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run, while freshman Ryelan Morris added a 63-yard scoring dash in the first quarter.
Wide receiver Gavin Freeman led the team with 115 yards on seven receptions, further solidifying his role as Baylor's primary target. Louis Brown IV also found success, catching six passes for an average of just over 11 yards per catch, including a ten-yard touchdown grab—a performance that head coach Dave Aranda had anticipated.
Defensively, the Bears made a significant impact by forcing multiple turnovers. A first-quarter fumble recovery and a third-quarter interception by Ryan Davis helped stifle Arizona State's efforts. Despite a decent outing from Cutter Boley, the Sun Devils simply could not keep pace with Baylor's relentless offense.
With the win, Baylor moves to 4-1 on the season and now turns its attention to a matchup with TCU on the 17th.
Key Analysis
Pro Football Focus grades and snap counts from Baylor's victory over Arizona State reveal standout performances on both sides of the ball. On offense, DJ Lagway led the way with an 82.9 grade, followed by tight end Hawkins Polley (73.3) and halfback Ryelan Morris (72.6). Caden Knighten (69.7), wide receiver Jadon Porter (69.5), center Koltin Sieracki (69.4), and Louis Brown IV (68.8) also earned top-10 offensive grades. The bottom five offensive players included tight end Parker Almanza (41.6) and right tackle Cooper Lovelace (53.5).
Defensively, free safety Tyler Turner posted the highest grade at 78.6, with defensive tackle Traevon Mitchell (75.4) and outside linebacker Ryan Davis (74.1) close behind. Inside linebacker Anthony Crenshaw Jr. (72.0), defensive tackle Hosea Wheeler (71.4), and others rounded out the top 10. Cornerback Reggie Bush II (41.3) and free safety Leo Almanza Jr. (49.1) were among the lowest-graded defenders.
Notable snap count trends include wide receiver Jadon Porter more than doubling his snaps from the previous week, tight end Tony Livingston improving his grade from 53 to 64.2, and outside linebacker Ryan Davis jumping from 58.1 to 74.1.