A Decisive Visiting Performance
The Arizona State Sun Devils failed to contain the visiting Baylor Bears on Saturday, October 3, 2026, falling 55-19 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. The decisive factor for the Bears was the efficiency of quarterback DJ Lagway, who completed 25 of 40 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns while avoiding interceptions. His performance propelled Baylor to a dominant victory, extending their record to 4-1, while the Sun Devils dropped to 2-2 on the season.
Early Momentum and Quarter Scores
The game unfolded with Baylor establishing control early. In the first quarter, the Bears outscored the Sun Devils 14-3. Carson Smith opened the scoring with a 46-yard field goal for Arizona State, but Baylor responded with a 63-yard run by Ryelan Morris and a 3-yard pass from Lagway to Tony Livingston. By the end of the second quarter, Baylor had widened the lead to 24-13. The Sun Devils managed points through field goals by Smith and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Cutter Boley to Omarion Miller, but the Bears maintained a double-digit advantage heading into halftime.
Third Quarter Surge and Final Stretch
The second half saw Baylor extend their lead significantly. In the third quarter, the Bears scored 21 points to Arizona State’s three. Lagway connected with Hawkins Polley and Jadon Porter for touchdowns, while Caden Knighten added a 75-yard rushing touchdown. The Sun Devils managed only a 36-yard field goal by Smith during this period. In the fourth quarter, Baylor added 10 more points, including an 11-yard rushing touchdown by Lagway himself. The final score remained 55-19, with Rhett Armstrong securing the win with a 23-yard field goal.
Key Statistical Contributions
Beyond Lagway’s passing, Baylor’s offensive attack was balanced. Ryelan Morris rushed for 84 yards on nine carries, including a touchdown, while Gavin Freeman led the receiving corps with 115 yards on seven catches. For Arizona State, Cutter Boley threw for 304 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Kyson Brown rushed for 34 yards, and Reed Harris caught seven passes for 125 yards. The attendance at Mountain America Stadium was 54,063, witnessing a game where Baylor’s offensive execution clearly dictated the outcome.
Sources
ESPN
