Big XII Roundup: Week Two

We take a stroll through the all the Big XII games over the weekend.

After Kansas dispatched Illinois with relative ease on Friday, the rest of the Big XII took center stage on Saturday. Here’s how everyone fared in week two.

Baylor lost its second straight game, this time to Utah, 20-13. Baylor allowed the Utes to score a touchdown at the very end thus giving themselves time for a miracle instead of Utah kicking a field goal as time expired. It almost worked. Baylor had a shot with one second to go, but just missed the target in the endzone. Baylor hosts Long Island in Waco.

K-State moved to 2-0 on the season as they easily beat Troy 42-13. Quarterback Will Howard had another strong performance, throwing for three touchdowns and running for two more. The Wildcats travel to Missouri for their first real test of the season.

Southern Utah was no test for BYU on Saturday, winning 41-16. Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns in what is looking like a prolific offense. Of course, the real test starts in week three when BYU travels to SEC country to take on Arkansas.

Despite rallying from a 20-3 deficit to make it a one score game in the fourth quarter, Iowa State couldn’t overcome in-state rivals Iowa up in Ames. The Cyclones fell 20-13 and are now one and one on the season. They’ll look to rebound when they travel to the University of Ohio in week three.

Behind Dillon Gabriel’s four touchdown passes, Oklahoma got past SMU 28-11 on Saturday. Linebacker Danny Stutsman had the standout performance defensively, recording 17 tackles in the contest. The Sooners travel to in-state rivals Tulsa next weekend.

West Virginia played Duquesne in football with the expected result. Mountaineers 56, Dukes 17. West Virginia’s Hudson Clement caught five passes for 177 yards and three scores. In a rare feel good story out of Morgantown, Clement was a non scholarship player, got the start because of an injury, and was awarded a scholarship after the game. Let’s see what he can do against Pittsburgh in week three.

Speaking of Pittsburgh, they just lost to Big XII newcomers Cincinnati 27-21. Corey Kiner led the Bearcats on the ground. He carried the ball 20 times for 153 yards and a score. Cincinnati is 2-0 and hosts in-state rivals Miami next weekend.

You’re probably going to hear about Texas beating Alabama 34-24 all week, so I’ll spare you all the details. Texas broke Alabama’s 21 game home winning streak as well as their 57 game regular season winning streak against non-conference foes. Texas hosts Wyoming next Saturday.

Despite having a 27-18 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Texas Tech couldn’t beat Oregon. After the Ducks had taken a late 31-30 lead, Tech had a chance to win it. But with 35 seconds to go, Red Raiders QB Tyler Shough was picked off by Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa who ran it all the way back for a game sealing touchdown. Ducks 38, Red Raiders 30. Texas Tech is 0-2 for the first time since 1990 and they host Tarleton State next weekend while trying to right the ship.

Colton Boomer hit a 55 yard field goal as time expired to give UCF an 18-16 win at Boise State. It was one of three made field goals on the night and a quality away win for the Knights. They host Villanova in week three.

It took two overtimes, but Rice finally toppled Big XII newcomer Houston, 43-41. The Owls’ JT Daniels threw the ball 42 times, connecting on 28 of those passes, totaling 401 yards in the process. Running back Daelen Alexander ran for three touchdowns himself, including the game winner and two point conversion in OT. Houston tries to rebound when they host TCU in the season’s first conference game next weekend.

Speaking of TCU, they bounced back after their week one loss to Colorado. The Horned Frogs romped Nicholls 41-6 as QB Chandler Morris was 26 of 30 for 263 yards and two touchdowns. As mentioned above, TCU travels to Houston in week three.

Oklahoma State went down to Tempe and took care of Arizona State, 27-15. The defense was the story in this one as the Cowboys forced the Sun Devils to turn the ball over on downs four times. The record heat (104F at kickoff) also probably led to the low scoring affair. OSU hosts South Alabama next weekend.