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TEMPE, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2026) — Arizona State entered Saturday night’s matchup looking to defend its home turf and strengthen its position in the Big 12 race. Instead, Baylor delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, rolling to a convincing 55-19 victory at Mountain America Stadium.
The Bears improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Sun Devils dropped to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Arizona State struck first with a 46-yard field goal from Carson Smith, but Baylor wasted little time responding. Running back Ryelan Morris broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run, and quarterback DJ Lagway later connected with Tony Livingston for a three-yard touchdown pass to give the Bears a 14-3 lead after the opening quarter.
The Sun Devils attempted to stay within striking distance in the second quarter. Cutter Boley found Omarion Miller for a 30-yard touchdown pass late in the half, but Baylor answered with consistent offensive execution and carried a 24-13 advantage into the locker room.
Baylor Breaks It Open
Any hopes of an Arizona State comeback disappeared during a dominant third quarter by the Bears.
Lagway threw touchdown passes to Hawkins Polley and Jadon Porter on consecutive drives, extending Baylor’s lead to 38-13. After Smith added another field goal for ASU, Baylor delivered the game’s knockout punch when Caden Knighten exploded for a 75-yard touchdown run just seconds later. The score pushed the margin to 45-16 and silenced the home crowd.
Baylor added an 11-yard rushing touchdown from Lagway and a late field goal from Rhett Armstrong in the fourth quarter to complete the rout.
Baylor QB Lagway Leads Explosive Offensive Effort
The story of the night was the play of Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway, who dissected Arizona State’s defense throughout the contest. Lagway finished 25-of-40 passing for 306 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown.
Baylor amassed 564 total yards, including 320 through the air and 244 on the ground. The Bears scored seven touchdowns and consistently won the battle at the line of scrimmage.
Knighten and Morris each rushed for 84 yards, with both backs finding the end zone on long touchdown runs. Receiver Gavin Freeman led Baylor with seven catches for 115 yards.
Bright Spots for Arizona State
Despite the lopsided final score, Arizona State’s passing attack showed flashes. Boley threw for 304 yards and a touchdown, while Reed Harris recorded seven receptions for 125 yards. Omarion Miller added five catches for 85 yards, including the Sun Devils’ lone touchdown.
However, the Sun Devils struggled to establish the run game, managing just 99 rushing yards, and were unable to keep pace with Baylor’s balanced offensive attack. Arizona State also committed two turnovers, while Baylor played a clean game without giving the ball away.
Turning Point
The pivotal stretch came early in the third quarter. Baylor scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to turn an 11-point halftime lead into a 25-point advantage. Once Knighten’s 75-yard touchdown run extended the lead to 45-16, the outcome was effectively decided.
Final Thoughts
For Baylor, the victory served as a statement win on the road and reinforced the Bears’ status as a contender in the Big 12 race. The combination of Lagway’s efficient quarterback play, explosive rushing attack, and a defense that limited Arizona State to 19 points proved overwhelming.
For Arizona State, the loss exposed defensive issues against elite offenses and highlighted the need for greater balance on offense moving forward. The Sun Devils showed promise through the air but could not generate enough stops or explosive plays to challenge Baylor deep into the second half.
Final Score: Baylor 55, Arizona State 19.
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