Powledge returns to Baylor as defensive coordinator
December 29, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Matt Powledge is returning to Baylor as defensive coordinator after a season away at Oregon.
Bears coach Dave Aranda announced the hire Thursday. Powledge replaces Ron Roberts, who was fired after the 6-6 regular season and has since become defensive coordinator at Auburn for new coach Hugh Freeze.
Baylor set to face Air Force in frigid Armed Forces Bowl
December 22, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Dave Aranda will call the defensive plays in the frigid Armed Forces Bowl against option-oriented Air Force for the first time since the Baylor coach was running the defense for LSU's national championship team three years ago.
Freeze hires Montgomery, Roberts as Auburn coordinators
December 14, 2022 GMTAUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn has hired former Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and Ron Roberts as defensive coordinator.
New coach Hugh Freeze announced the hires of the two veteran coaches on Wednesday.
No. 24 Texas has to beat Baylor, then wait on B12 title shot
November 23, 2022 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas coach Steve Sarkisian laid out to his players the realistic, though somewhat out-of-their-control, scenario about how the 24th-ranked Longhorns can still get into the Big 12 championship game.
No. 23 K-State visits Baylor with Big 12 title path in play
November 10, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — If quarterback Blake Shapen and the Baylor Bears want a realistic chance to defend their Big 12 title, they'll need a fourth consecutive victory when No. 23 Kansas State visits Saturday night.
Reese 186 yards rushing, 2 TDs as Baylor beats Kansas 35-23
October 22, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — True freshman Richard Reese ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a late game-clincher as the Bears held on to beat Kansas 35-23 on Saturday for their first victory in nearly a month.
Aranda brings up `The Boss’ as example for No. 17 Baylor
September 15, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor coach Dave Aranda used Bruce Springsteen's approach to his live performances as an example to his players about always having energy and great execution. He then had to tell the older teenagers and young 20-somethings who is “The Boss.”
Big 12 teams score multiple touchdowns on blocked punts, FG
September 6, 2022 GMTThe Big 12 held a block party during the opening week of the season with multiple touchdowns scored on special teams.
There were four punt returns for touchdowns, including two after blocked punts.
Big 12 champ No. 10 Baylor opens against FCS team Albany
September 1, 2022 GMTAlbany (0-0) at No. 10 Baylor (0-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Aranda wants No. 10 Baylor to have crisper start to ’22
September 1, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — With No. 10 Baylor coming off a school-record 12 wins and going into this season opener as an overwhelming favorite, coach Dave Aranda wants these Bears to develop their own identity.
Baylor, Oklahoma St talk 2022 after Big 12 thriller of 2021
July 13, 2022 GMTARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baylor coach Dave Aranda and Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy sat just a few yards from the end zone where the Big 12 title was decided in their championship game seven months earlier, on a dazzling tackle at the pylon by the Bears.
Defending Big 12 champ Baylor tabbed preseason favorite
July 7, 2022 GMTIRVING, Texas (AP) — Defending Big 12 champion Baylor has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the conference title again, based on a poll of media who cover the league.
It is the first time Baylor has been favored in the preseason vote.
Baylor, AD Mack Rhoades agree on 10-year contract extension
April 4, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor announced a 10-year contract extension for athletic director Mack Rhoades on Monday, saying the deal would allow him to “complete his career” at the Big 12 school.
Rhoades joined Baylor in 2016 after Ian McCaw resigned following an investigation that found the school had mishandled allegations of sexual assault, including claims against football players.
Baylor’s Aranda gets contract extension through 2028 season
February 15, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor coach Dave Aranda has agreed to a contract extension through the 2028 season after leading the Bears to a Big 12 championship and a school-record 12 wins capped by a Sugar Bowl victory on New Year's Day and a No.
No. 6 Baylor tops No. 8 Ole Miss in Sugar Bowl; Corral hurt
January 2, 2022 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Sugar Bowl showdown against Mississippi and coach Lane Kiffin's explosive, Southeastern Conference-leading offense provided a high-profile platform for Baylor to validate its old-school formula of ball control and aggressive defense.
High-scoring Ole Miss meets stingy Baylor in Sugar Bowl
December 31, 2021 GMTSugar Bowl: No. 6 Baylor (11-2, Big 12) vs. No. 8 Mississippi (10-2, SEC), Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Mississippi by 1 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Cyclones RB Hall, Bears’ Aranda, Pitre win AP Big 12 honors
December 10, 2021 GMTIowa State running back Breece Hall is The Associated Press Big 12 offensive player of the year for the second season in a row, while conference champion Baylor has the league's top defender and coach.
Sugar Bowl matches No. 6 Baylor vs. No. 8 Mississippi
December 5, 2021 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Big 12 champion Baylor and No. 8 Mississippi, which finished second behind Alabama in the SEC West, will conclude their seasons against one another in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day.
Baylor holds on for Big 12 title, knocks Okla St out of CFP
December 5, 2021 GMTARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dezmon Jackson came up inches short on a desperate, fourth-down dive in the final seconds for Oklahoma State, knocking the fifth-ranked Cowboys out of contention for a spot in the four-team playoff.
Big 12 gets title game without Texas or OU before they leave
November 30, 2021 GMTThe Big 12 doesn't have to wait until Oklahoma and Texas are gone to experience something that hasn't happened for a long time — a championship game without either of those teams.
When fifth-ranked Oklahoma State plays ninth-ranked Baylor on Saturday, it will end a streak of 16 consecutive Big 12 title games involving the Sooners or Longhorns, including one in which the SEC-bound teams played each other.
QB Bohanon uncertain for No. 9 Baylor for Big 12 title game
November 29, 2021 GMTBaylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon's status for the Big 12 championship game was still uncertain Monday after missing the past 1 1/2 games for the ninth-ranked Bears because of a right hamstring injury.
No. 9 Baylor in B12 title game after win over Tech, OSU win
November 28, 2021 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor coach Dave Aranda lauded his ninth-ranked Bears for the season they have had after getting their 10th win earlier in the day.
Now, after a little help, they get to play for a Big 12 title.
Smith LB to RB to lead Big 12 quintet of 1,000-yard rushers
November 23, 2021 GMTAbram Smith was tackling Big 12 running backs at the end of last season as a starting linebacker for Baylor. He is now bruising defenders as the league's leading rusher.
Breece Hall has rushed for a touchdown in 23 consecutive games for Iowa State, tying an FBS record.
Shapen ushers No. 11 Baylor to 20-10 win over K-State
November 21, 2021 GMTMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Baylor had played poorly on the road all season, and was locked in another tight tussle with red-hot Kansas State, when quarterback Gerry Bohanon grabbed his right hamstring heading out of bounds in the first half Saturday night.
Big 12 reprimands and fines Baylor for storming field vs. OU
November 17, 2021 GMTIRVING, Texas (AP) — The Big 12 issued a public reprimand Tuesday and fined Baylor $25,000 because students and fans stormed the field before time expired in the No. 11 Bears' 27-14 victory Saturday over Oklahoma, and then again when the game was actually over.
Oklahoma St’s Gundy, Baylor’s Aranda turning heads in Big 12
November 16, 2021 GMTOklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and Baylor coach Dave Aranda have changed the narrative about the Big 12 this season.
Most of the chatter at the beginning was about how Oklahoma and Texas eventually will leave for the Southeastern Conference.
Extra points for Baylor and fan storming draw Oklahoma ire
November 13, 2021 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor fans had already swarmed the field and Oklahoma players had already gone to the locker room.
Texas Tech names Baylor’s Joey McGuire as coach
November 8, 2021 GMTTexas Tech named Baylor assistant and longtime Texas high school coach Joey McGuire as its next head coach on Monday, though he won't take the job until the end of the season.
McGuire will be formally introduced Tuesday on the Lubbock campus.
No. 14 Baylor first to play TCU since Patterson’s departure
November 4, 2021 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Dave Aranda remembers being a broke young coach watching bootleg tapes of Gary Patterson to learn how he taught and ran his defenses.
When Aranda and 14th-ranked Baylor play Saturday at TCU, it will be the first time since 1997 that Patterson won't be on the sideline during a Horned Frogs game.
NFL Prospect Watch: Baylor’s ball-hawking safety Jalen Pitre
October 29, 2021 GMTJalen Pitre played linebacker in high school and his first three years at Baylor.
When new coach Dave Aranda arrived in Waco, he thought moving to an hybrid “star” position would give Pitre freedom to make plays all over the field.
No. 16 Baylor at home could knock Texas out of Big 12 race
October 28, 2021 GMTSome things to watch in Week 9 of the Big 12 Conference:
GAME OF THE WEEK
Texas at No. 16 Baylor. While the Longhorns are still looking for a breakthrough victory in coach Steve Sarkisian's first season, Baylor has already tripled its overall win total in coach Dave Aranda's second year.
No. 16 Baylor has a chance to finish Texas in Big 12
October 28, 2021 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — After a tough first year in Waco navigating a losing season amid the pandemic, Baylor coach Dave Aranda has the No. 16 Bears right where he found them: fighting for the top of the Big 12 standings.
No. 19 BYU and Baylor both 5-1 for B12 preview with reunions
October 14, 2021 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — There will be a Big 12 preview for BYU and personal reunions among several coaches when the 19th-ranked Cougars play at Baylor two years before they officially join the conference.
No. 19 BYU looking to rebound in Big 12 preview at Baylor
October 14, 2021 GMTNo. 19 BYU (5-1) at Baylor (5-1), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).
Line: Baylor by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Baylor, West Virginia trying to get run games going again
October 7, 2021 GMTBaylor wants to regain its swagger in the run game. West Virginia would be satisfied with any progress.
The Bears and Mountaineers meet Saturday in Waco, Texas, after both lost games in which they failed to score in the first half.
Big 12 has 3 undefeated teams into October, 2 meet Saturday
September 30, 2021 GMTSome things to watch in Week 5 of the Big 12 Conference:
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 21 Baylor (4-0, 2-0 Big 12) at No. 19 Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0). A matchup Saturday night of the only Big 12 teams, other than six-time defending conference champion Oklahoma, to make it to the first Saturday of October undefeated.
Oklahoma State, Baylor unbeaten heading into Top 25 showdown
September 30, 2021 GMTOklahoma State and Baylor quietly have compiled unbeaten records heading into their showdown on Saturday.
Baylor went 2-7 last year, but this year’s squad is much improved. The Bears (4-0, 2-0 Big 12) pulled off a 31-29 stunner over then-No.
No. 14 Iowa State looks to slow down rushing 3-0 Baylor
September 23, 2021 GMTNo. 14 Iowa State (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) at Baylor (3-0, 1-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT (Fox).
Line: Iowa State by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Baylor rides solid ground game to 45-7 victory over Kansas
September 18, 2021 GMTLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Dave Aranda spoke proudly this week about how Baylor had established an offensive identity on the ground this season.
It didn't change against Kansas on Saturday.
Gerry Bohanon threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns while running for another score, and Baylor had its way against Kansas on the ground, piling up 307 yards rushing in another dominant performance in a 45-7 victory on Saturday.
Baylor-Kansas features two of Big 12′s bright new coaches
September 16, 2021 GMTLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Dave Aranda should know how Kansas coach Lance Leipold must feel these days, getting thrown into a rebuilding job at a Division I school in the midst of a pandemic that has made just about everything more challenging.
Baylor vs Texas Southern, 1st non-league home game since ’19
September 9, 2021 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Abram Smith fumbled on his first carry this season for Baylor in his return to running back after finishing last year as a starting linebacker for the Bears.
“Extremely different, of course, because I’m on the other side of the ball,” Smith said.
Baylor’s Bohanon finally starting QB in opener at Texas St
September 2, 2021 GMTSAN MARCOS ,Texas (AP) — Gerry Bohanon just wanted to learn all he could while waiting for his chance to be Baylor’s starting quarterback.
After 3 ½ years on the Waco campus and being behind Charlie Brewer, the four-year starter who transferred to Utah, Bohanon will start for the Bears on Saturday night at Texas State.
Baylor able to move forward with NCAA case finally resolved
August 13, 2021 GMTDave Aranda became Baylor's coach about 19 months ago knowing that NCAA penalties were coming for a scandal that embroiled the football program long before he arrived.
It had been much longer for athletic director Mack Rhoades, who found “an institution and athletics department in turmoil” when he took over five years ago in the wake of the revelation of a sprawling sexual assault scandal that cost two-time Big 12 champion coach Art Briles his job.