Baylor Beats SMU in a Convincing Way

Baylor Coach Grant Teaff said his 19th-ranked Bears’ 21-14 victory over 16th-ranked Southern Methodist Saturday night convinced him his team is deserving of national ranking.

“We’re beginning to exhibit the characteristics of a good football team,” Teaff said. “We were able to withstand one of the best defenses in the Southwest Conference.”

After Reggie Dupard’s fumble at the two ruined SMU’s bid for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, Baylor rallied behind quarterback Tom Muecke and drove 80 yards for the winning score in the final quarter.

The win raised Baylor’s record to 5-1, 3-0 in SWC play, and dropped SMU to 2-2. 1-1 in the SWC.

SMU Coach Bobby Collins praised his team’s defense, noting that “it gave us several turnovers that gave us good field position. We just didn’t take advantage of it.”

Collins added: “We had ‘em. We drove it all the way down the field, and then we fumbled it, which took a lot out of us and pumped them up, no doubt.”

Muecke led the Bears to the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, diving into the end zone from two yards out for the score.

Terry Syler’s field goals of 38 and 22 yards and Muecke’s 26-yard touchdown pass to halfback Ralph Stockemer accounted for Baylor’s other points.

SMU’s points came on Dupard’s 16-yard run and Jeff Atkins’ one-yard run, which brought the Mustangs back from a 14-0 deficit.

The Mustangs threatened to take the lead by driving from their seven to the Baylor two on their first possession of the third quarter.

But Dupard fumbled after a 14-yard gain when he was hit by safety Thomas Everett. Safety Jack Hurd recovered for the Bears.

Muecke completed passes of 16 yards to Matt Clark, 34 yards to Jay Kelly, and 24 yards to Robert Williams on the winning touchdown drive.