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Lagway Leads Baylor Past Colorado 23-13 in Home Opener

DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes as Baylor defeated Colorado 23-13 at McLane Stadium on Saturday, improving the Bears' record to 3-1.

Quincy Abbott

September 27, 20262 min read

Home Opener Victory - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NCAA FootballFinal
Colorado Buffaloes13
Baylor Bears23

September 26, 2026

A Defining Second Half

The Baylor Bears secured a decisive victory over the visiting Colorado Buffaloes with a final score of 23-13 on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The win was driven by a strong offensive showing in the second half, capped by a late field goal that sealed the result at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas.

The game began cautiously for the home team. Colorado struck first with an Elliott Arnold 24-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead in the opening period. Baylor responded in the second quarter when Rhett Armstrong kicked a 37-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3.

However, momentum shifted shortly after as DJ Lagway connected with Gavin Freeman on a 3-yard touchdown pass, accompanied by Armstrong’s kick, giving the Bears a 10-3 advantage at halftime.

Scoring Breakdown and Key Stats

The third quarter saw both offenses settle into a rhythm of field goals. Rhett Armstrong added another successful kick for Baylor, extending their lead to 13-3. Colorado answered with an Elliott Arnold 46-yard field goal, making the score 13-6 entering the fourth quarter.

The final period provided the drama for the Bears. Colorado tied the game at 13-13 when Isaac Wilson threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams. But Baylor immediately reclaimed control. Lagway found Jadon Porter on a 33-yard touchdown pass, restoring the lead at 20-13. The scoring concluded with Rhett Armstrong’s 54-yard field goal, finalizing the 23-13 result.

DJ Lagway was instrumental in the victory, completing 19 of 39 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, though he also threw one interception. Gavin Freeman led Baylor’s receiving corps with six catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Dawson Pendergrass contributed 85 rushing yards on 16 carries.

For Colorado, Isaac Wilson completed 12 of 25 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown. Joseph Williams was the standout receiver for the Buffaloes, recording 11 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. Micah Welch provided rushing support with 35 yards on nine carries.

Final Standings and Venue Notes

The game drew an attendance of 40,015 fans to McLane Stadium. With this result, the Baylor Bears improved their record to 3-1, while the Colorado Buffaloes fell to 2-2. The victory highlights Baylor’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities in critical moments, particularly during the second half where they outscored Colorado significantly.

Sources

ESPN

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Quincy Abbott

Quincy Abbott covers Allen high school and area college sports.

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