BIG EIGHT ROUNDUP : Baylor Has Really Got Conference’s Number

Baylor had a fireworks show at halftime, but it didn’t match the one J.J. Joe put on in taking the 14th-ranked Bears to a 47-21 victory over Missouri Saturday night at Waco. Tex.

Joe passed for 300 yards, ran for a touchdown and passed for another as he directed six scoring drives to keep the Bears undefeated at 3-0.

Baylor’s 649-yard effort was the second-best in school history.

It was the second consecutive victory over a Big Eight Conference opponent for the Southwest Conference Bears, who stunned Colorado, 16-14, last week.

“It surprised me that we could pass against Missouri because we hit Colorado with the deep ball last week and I thought they would be looking for it,” Joe said. “I guess they respect the run so much they weren’t looking for the pass. We’re really not a passing team.”

Phil Johnson of Missouri (1-1) passed for 296 yards but had three intercepted, two by Bears’ Keith Caldwell.

Joe connected with Melvin Bonner on a 75-yard touchdown pass play in the third quarter. Joe also ran two yards for a touchdown.

Kansas 54, New Mexico State 14--The Jayhawks scored 30 points in the second quarter, produced their highest point total in eight years and finished their first unbeaten September in a decade with the victory at Lawrence, Kan.

It’s the first 3-0 start since 1985 for the Jayhawks, who are idle next week.

Kansas’ 54 points against the winless Aggies was the most its scored since a 57-6 victoryover Wichita State on Sept. 17, 1983.

Tony Sands rushed for 105 yards in 19 carries for Kansas.

No. 7 Oklahoma 55, Utah State 21--The Sooners rushed for 243 yards in the first half, most on runs straight up the middle, in building a 35-7 halftime lead at Norman, Okla.

Dewell Brewer gained 144 yards and scored three touchdowns for the Sooners (2-0), who finished with 424 yards on the ground and 571 overall.

Earnest Williams rushed for 109 yards and one touchdown.

Utah State’s Ron Lopez passed for 314 yards, but had four passes intercepted, including one that was returned for a touchdown and another in the end zone that ended a second-quarter drive.

Texas Christian 24, Oklahoma State 21--Roosevelt Collins made two big goal-line tackles in the final seconds at Stillwater, Okla., to preserve the victory for the Horned Frogs, who are 3-0 and off to their best start since 1956.

Tim Schade completed 26 of 36 passes for 281 yards for the Horned Frogs, who led 24-0 early in the third quarter.

Kenny Ford led Oklahoma State (0-3) to three second-half touchdowns and almost pulled out a victory before the Cowboys stalled on two running plays inside the five-yard line with no time outs to work with.

Kansas State 34, Northern Illinois 17--Paul Watson completed 21 of 29 passes for 311 yards at Manhattan, Kan., as Kansas State earned its first 3-0 start since 1982.

Northern Illinois is 1-2.