Baylor routs UCF in interim debut

For fans watching from home, the change in leadership at Baylor produced an immediate shift in tone on the field. The Bears dominated UCF in Orlando, winning 41-9 on Friday night.

The coaching change came quickly. Dave Aranda was dismissed after the Bears lost 25-24 to Kansas, ending his tenure of more than six seasons. Joe Klanderman, who served as the first-year defensive coordinator, took over as interim head coach that same week.

DJ Lagway led the offensive effort. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Tony Livingston caught passes of 4 and 21 yards. Receiver Gavin Freeman hauled in a 77-yard score. Tight end Matthew Klopfenstein finished a 5-yard pass. Running back Caden Knighten added a 2-yard rush.

The defense applied pressure consistently. Baylor recorded five sacks. On UCF's best drive, Alonza Barnett III threw a 67-yard completion to Josh Derry. The play set up a potential scoring chance, but the possession ended when Devin Turner sacked Barnett. UCF's Keyone Jenkins had started the game but left in the third quarter with a lower leg injury. Barnett, returning from a hamstring issue, replaced him and finished with 133 yards on 8 of 16 passes.

UCF kicker Rhett Armstrong provided the only other points for the Knights. He made field goals of 35 and 39 yards. Just before halftime, he converted a 57-yard attempt, the longest field goal in school history. UCF failed to gain a first down until the second quarter and finished with 215 total yards.

Baylor improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12. They snapped a two-game losing streak and ended UCF's four-game home win streak. The Bears rushed for 184 yards and surpassed 450 total yards before the third quarter ended.

Both teams return to action next Saturday. Baylor hosts Iowa State at home. UCF travels to face Kansas.