Baylor Bears Blow The Doors Off Washington State As Ike Approaches

(Photo: Courtesy of Brad Bowles, a friend on facebook who attended the game.)

Two years ago, Washington State kicked a last second field goal to pull off a victory at home against Baylor.

On Friday night, with Hurricane Ike looming over Texas, the Baylor Bears blew the Cougars of Washington State off the field by a score of 45-17.

Like the eye of a hurricane himself, true-freshman quarterback Robert Griffin ran for a school-record 217 yards and scored the Bears two touchdowns on 11 carries. Griffin also threw for 127 yards. Talk about the complete quarterback.

With the loss Washington State drops to 0-3, and the Bears now have consecutive 40-point games for the first time since 1994.

The impressive fact of the game for the Bears though was the defense, not offense. The Bears recorded several interceptions and takeaways. These statistics are what gave the Bears the edge, as the Washington State offense moved the ball fairly well, but the turnovers cost them big time with Griffin and Jay Finley leading the Bears offense.

The Bears ground game looked great. Finley ran for 119 yards on 10 carries and added a 46-yard TD for Baylor just before the half.

Washington State's offensive stats included quarterback Kevin Lopina going 17-of-26 for 174 yards and two interceptions before being replaced by Gary Rogers, who started the previous games for the Cougars.

As Ike brews off the coast of Galveston, Baylor fans can’t help but wonder if possibly a storm is brewing in Waco as teams begin gearing up for the last non-conference game.

On the horizon for Baylor is the University of Connecticut on the road, and for Washington State they will face Portland State at home.