Baylor delivered one of its most convincing performances of the 2026 season, overpowering Arizona State 55-19 on Saturday, Oct. 3, in a Big 12 showdown at Mountain America Stadium.
The result moved Baylor football to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while ASU football dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12.
Baylor vs Arizona State: Bears Take Control Early
The baylor vs arizona state matchup quickly turned in Baylor’s favor. Arizona State opened the scoring with a Carson Smith field goal, but the Bears responded with a 63-yard touchdown run by Ryelan Morris.
Baylor then built its advantage through the air and on the ground. DJ Lagway connected with Tony Livingston for a touchdown before finding Louis Brown IV for another score, giving the Bears a 21-3 advantage early in the second quarter.
Arizona State managed to cut the deficit to 21-13 late in the first half, but Baylor regained momentum before halftime. Rhett Armstrong’s 36-yard field goal gave the Bears a 24-13 lead at the break.
Baylor Turns the Game Into a Rout
The second half belonged almost entirely to Baylor.
The Bears scored on their opening possession of the third quarter to push the margin to 31-13. Caden Knighten then broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 45-16.
DJ Lagway later added an 11-yard rushing touchdown as Baylor continued to attack an ASU defense that struggled to make tackles and contain explosive plays.
Arizona State eventually reached 19 points, but the deficit was far too large to overcome. Baylor added another field goal after recovering a muffed kickoff at the ASU 11-yard line to complete the 55-19 victory.
What Went Wrong for ASU Football?
The ASU football offense and defense both struggled in key areas.
Arizona State managed only 99 rushing yards on 30 attempts, preventing the Sun Devils from establishing the ground game. Cutter Boley threw for 304 yards, but he completed only 25 of 43 passes and had one touchdown against one interception.
Turnovers were another major problem. ASU committed three turnovers and failed to force any from Baylor.
The Sun Devils also struggled on third and fourth downs. Arizona State converted only 4 of 15 third downs and went 0-for-2 on fourth down. Baylor, meanwhile, converted nine of its 15 third- and fourth-down opportunities.
Defensively, missed tackles helped Baylor produce several explosive plays, including Morris’ 63-yard touchdown run and Knighten’s 75-yard scoring run.
Carson Smith Provides a Bright Spot
One of the few positives for Arizona State football was the performance of kicker Carson Smith.
Smith made all four of his field-goal attempts, including kicks from 46 and 40 yards. He remained perfect on field goals for the season at 6-for-6 and was also 14-for-14 on extra points.
However, ASU repeatedly settled for field goals instead of touchdowns, which made it difficult to keep pace with Baylor’s explosive offense.
DJ Lagway and Baylor Offense Shine
Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway played a major role in the Bears’ offensive success. He contributed through the air and on the ground while helping Baylor consistently move the chains.
The Bears also received major contributions from their rushing attack. Morris and Knighten produced explosive touchdown runs that exposed ASU’s tackling problems.
Baylor’s ability to convert crucial downs was another major difference. The Bears repeatedly extended drives, while Arizona State struggled to sustain possessions.
Baylor vs Arizona State: Final Score
Baylor 55, Arizona State 19
The result gives Baylor a 2-0 start in Big 12 play and puts the Bears in a strong early position in the conference race.
For ASU, the defeat highlighted several areas that need improvement, particularly rushing offense, tackling, turnovers and third-down execution.
The asu game ultimately became a one-sided contest after Arizona State entered halftime trailing by only 11 points. Baylor’s explosive third quarter changed everything and turned the asu vs baylor matchup into a rout.
What This Means for Baylor and ASU
Baylor’s victory is an important statement for baylor football. The Bears showed they can create explosive plays while also taking advantage of mistakes from an opponent.
For Arizona State football, the loss is a significant setback after the Sun Devils entered the game at 3-1 and had an opportunity to move to 2-0 in conference play.
The asu offense will need to become more consistent, while the defense must improve its tackling and ability to get off the field on third down.
With the Big 12 season continuing, both teams now have plenty to address following a memorable baylor vs arizona state matchup
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