Longhorns Up Big at Halftime in Final Big 12 Battle vs. Baylor

The No. 3 Texas Longhorns used big plays in the run game and suffocating interior defense to take a comfortable lead headed into halftime of Saturday's Big 12 opener against the Baylor Bears.

WACO, Texas -- Entering their final Big 12 opener, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns had some goodbyes in order.

But through one half of Saturday's meeting with the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium, there was anything but friendliness on both the field and the scoreboard. Behind some suffocating interior defense, chunk plays on offense and four rushing touchdowns, the Longhorns held a commanding 28-6 lead headed into halftime.

The Texas defense got off to a hot start, as Jett Bush and Byron Murphy II came up with back-to-back sacks of Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson on the game's opening drive.

After a pair of punts from both teams, Baylor got the ball back but was met with more early dominance from the Longhorns d-line. Vernon Broughton got in on the action with a sack of his own on Baylor's second drive, giving Texas three first-quarter sacks.

The energy from the defense seemed to transfer to Jonathon Brooks' legs. On Texas' second drive, the Longhorns running back broke free down the Texas sideline for a 40-yard touchdown to put the road team in front, 7-0.

After gaining just five yards on their first two drives combined, the Bears responded with a nine-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a field goal to make it a 7-3 game.

This ended up being the only points for Baylor until another field goal in the closing minutes of the second quarter.

Following two Baylor punts and a turnover on downs, the Longhorns found the end zone once again on multiple touchdown runs. Quinn Ewers had a 29-yard scamper to make it a 14-3 game before Brooks and CJ Baxter both powered in for short touchdowns to give Texas a 28-3 lead with less than two minutes to go in the half.

The lead likely would've stayed this way if Texas receiver Xavier Worthy hadn't muffed a punt that Baylor recovered at the Longhorns 21-yard line. But the Texas defense held strong and forced a field-goal attempt after three quick plays.

The Longhorns will receive the second-half kickoff.