BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Jay Finley rushed for a career-high 143 yards
and Chance Casey batted down a last-second pass in the end zone, helping
Baylor to a 31-25 win over Colorado on Saturday in the final meeting
between the two schools as members of the Big 12.
The Bears (5-2, 2-1) fended off a late charge by the Buffaloes (3-3,
0-2), who had the ball on the 19-yard line with 5 seconds remaining,
only to have Casey knock away a pass intended for Toney Clemons.
Robert Griffin was his typical hard-to-defend self, high-stepping his
way to 137 yards rushing and throwing for another 234. He entered the
game fourth in the nation in total offense, averaging 329 yards a game.
Rodney Stewart had a big day for the Buffaloes, gaining 125 yards and
scoring twice. Quarterback Tyler Hansen bounced back from being benched
late in last weekend's 26-0 loss at Missouri. He finished with 207
yards passing and one touchdown, a 7-yard strike to Scotty McKnight with
5:14 remaining to draw the Buffaloes to within 28-25.
But the Bears responded with a drive that resulted in a 38-yard field goal by Aaron Jones, his third of the night.
Griffin has been the focal point of Baylor's attack this season, having a hand in 20 of the team's 25 offensive scores.
However, Finley gave the Buffs fits on Saturday, scoring twice. It
was part of a huge day on the ground for the Bears, who finished with a
season-high 309 yards rushing.
Baylor took a 21-15 lead it wouldn't relinquish late in the third
quarter on a 17-yard run by Finley and Griffin's scramble into the end
zone on a 2-point attempt.
It was quite a momentum shift after the Buffs were on the cusp of
increasing their lead moments earlier. But as tailback Will Jefferson
was stumbling toward the goal line, Baylor stripped the football from
him, forcing a touchback.
Usually a receiver, Jefferson was switched to the backfield this week
after Brian Lockridge was lost for the season to an ankle injury.
The speedy Stewart showed off his elusiveness in the first half,
darting right and then cutting back left for an 18-yard score in the
first quarter. He later made a Baylor defender miss near the goal line
and dove for the pylon for a 6-yard TD.
After Stewart's first score, coach Dan Hawkins gambled and attempted a
2-point conversion. He sent out his son and backup quarterback Cody,
whose pass was low and incomplete.
Colorado went for 2 points again in the second quarter, only to have Hansen tackled short of the end zone.
The Bears were held scoreless in the opening period, breaking a
string of 12 straight quarters in which they had put points on the
board. They fumbled once in Colorado territory and turned the ball over
on downs during another trip.
That trend didn't spill over into second quarter as Griffin found tight end Jerod Monk for a 9-yard TD score.
The teams traded field goals in the final minute, Aric Goodman
connecting on a 45-yard attempt and Jones hitting from 50 yards with no
time left.
The Buffaloes were without leading tackler Anthony Perkins, who's out
for the season with a knee injury. Dan Hawkins also was under the
weather Saturday, battling an inner ear ailment that had him feeling
wobbly.
In addition to injuries and a stinging loss at Missouri, Colorado
also dealt this week with the fallout from a Sports Illustrated article
in which an agent said he paid college football players, including three
off the 1990 national championship team. One of the players, Kanavis
McGhee, has denied the accusation.