It took until Week 5 of the college football season, but Baylor finally turned up the competition level.
After resting up during the team's bye, Bryce Petty and the offense looked sharp against a young Cyclones defense that gave up 71 to Baylor a season ago. The quarterback finished 30-of-44 for 336 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Those might not be numbers we're used to seeing from the Heisman Trophy candidate, but he did add 47 yards and two scores on the ground, including a spectacular 16-yard scamper in the first quarter in which he hurdled a defender to find the end zone.
Petty didn't seem to be on the same page with all of his receivers, but that's understandable with so many faces back in the lineup. Antwan Goodley, considered one of the best in the Big 12 at his position, finished with 114 yards and an impressive 19 yards per catch. Corey Coleman added a touchdown to his 154 yards, and true freshman KD Cannon actually lowered his averages significantly with just 48 yards in the win.
Running back Shock Linwood, just a sophomore, lived up to his billing as lead back with a 5.5-yard average per carry and three touchdowns on the night. Freshman Johnny Jefferson also had a solid night with a rushing touchdown in a backup role.
Baylor's defense came to play, as well, and continued to look like a quality unit that could be the difference in the team defending its Big 12 title. Monster defensive lineman Shawn Oakman announced his presence early on with a sack of Iowa State quarterback Sam B. Richardson in which he straight bull-rushed the left tackle and tossed him aside like a rag doll. The first team did give up three touchdown drives of over 75 yards, but still made some stellar plays against an improving Cyclones offense led by coordinator Mark Mangino.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
