Bryce Petty vs. TCU: Stat Line, Heisman Impact and Reaction

Just when it looked like the No. 9-ranked TCU Horned Frogs were going to completely lay waste to the college football preseason rankings by defeating No. 5 Baylor, along came Bears quarterback Bryce Petty. 

The senior signal-caller led his team to a stirring 61-58 comeback victory over TCU on Saturday, staking his claim to a spot in the Heisman trophy race and sending shockwaves across the college football landscape with his incredible stat line. 

CMP/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	CAR	RSH YDS
28/55	510	9.3	6	2	10	23

Petty put in some of his best work with his team down 21 points in the fourth quarter. He tossed two touchdowns and confidently led the Bears back from the brink of defeat to a famous victory. His completion percentage notwithstanding, it was an amazing performance that should keep Baylor in the College Football Playoff hunt.

ESPN College Football gave props to Petty and provided a look at the Bears celebrating after the final whistle:

Sports Illustrated's Zac Ellis believes the performance puts Petty right back in the Heisman race:

The Texas native threw for nine touchdowns and one interception in four games, while adding three scores on the ground. It's been plenty good enough for Baylor to put up some monstrous numbers, including a 63-21 win over Buffalo. However, the win over TCU represents Baylor's first victory of the season over a ranked opponent.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Petty did throw two interceptions in the contest, including a pick-six that gave TCU a 58-37 lead in the fourth quarter. However, SB Nation's Wescott Eberts noted that a Petty pick is a rare occurrence:

NFL.com's Bryan Fischer wasn't blown away by his performance, noting Petty's reliance on wide receivers KD Cannon and Antwan Goodley: 

Of course, this ignores Petty's game-tying touchdown throw to Corey Coleman, who finished with eight catches and two scores. 

The back and forth affair was high profile and highly entertaining. Petty was quick to head off criticism the Bears may face after narrowly escaping with a win, per ESPN Central Texas' Craig Smoak:

The Bears will have to answer questions about their defense after this contest, but with Petty leading one of the most explosive offenses in college football, they could very well be the class of the Big-12 this season.

Mississippi State's Dak Prescott is still likely the leading candidate among quarterbacks for the Heisman, but   if Petty can lead his team to a November 8 victory over Oklahoma and put up similar numbers, he could indeed be in line for a surprise run as the nation's best college football player.