There are certain Saturdays that simply define the chaos and beauty of college football, and for Baylor and SMU, their Week 2 meeting in Waco quickly turned into a classic of the 2025 season. The Bears, led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson, erased a 14-point deficit and forced overtime before finally edging No. 17 SMU 48-45 in a heart-stopping double-overtime finish that left fans breathless and both teams staggering off McLane Stadium’s field with stories forever etched into memory.
SMU Looked Ready to Seal It
For the Mustangs, the pain was palpable. SMU seemed poised to grab a pivotal win that would not only solidify their ranking but also prove their ACC readiness after jumping from the AAC.
Quarterback Kevin Jennings was spectacular in spurts, throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. His connections with receivers Jordan Hudson and Key’Shawn Smith carved up Baylor’s corners, while running back T.J. Harden battered his way to key first downs. Midway through the fourth quarter, SMU held a 10-point lead and controlled tempo, with the stadium growing anxious that Baylor’s comeback bid was fading.
Robertson’s Rise to the Moment
That’s when Sawyer Robertson showed why Baylor trusts him with the keys to the offense. The junior engineered a drive for the ages, mixing sharp intermediate throws with a gutsy scramble before capping it off with a two-yard sneak to cut the deficit to three.
SMU answered with a field goal to extend the lead back to six, but Robertson was undeterred. With less than a minute left and Baylor’s season hanging by a thread, he threaded passes under pressure, including a crucial cross-field strike to Monaray Baldwin. Seconds later, he found tight end Drake Dabney in the end zone. The game was tied, and McLane Stadium erupted.
Into Overtime Drama
Overtime carried the tension of a heavyweight fight. SMU blinked first when Jennings forced a throw into tight coverage, resulting in an interception by Baylor safety Devin Lemear. But Baylor couldn’t end it right away — the Mustangs’ defense forced a field goal, extending the game.
Jennings responded by shaking off the turnover and delivering a gorgeous touchdown pass to push it into double overtime. But momentum had already swung. Harden was stuffed twice on SMU’s second overtime possession, forcing them to settle for a field goal. Robertson seized the moment. On third down inside the 20, he rolled right, looked left, and hit Baldwin in stride for the game-winning touchdown. Final score: Baylor 48, SMU 45.
What It Means for Baylor
For Baylor, this was more than a win — it was a statement. Robertson’s stat line — nearly 350 yards passing, three touchdowns, and a rushing score — showed not just numbers but leadership and poise. Head coach Dave Aranda kept faith in his quarterback even when things looked dire, and Robertson delivered the kind of performance that can transform a program’s season.
Monaray Baldwin’s breakout day added another layer. His clutch catches turned drives into points and put NFL scouts on notice. Baylor’s resilience, their ability to claw back and finish, could mark a turning point as the Bears eye Big 12 contention.
What It Means for SMU
For SMU, the loss is a gut punch. This was supposed to be the night they proved their move to the ACC meant they belonged on a bigger stage. Jennings’ four touchdowns were dazzling, but his overtime interception and missed opportunities late will weigh heavily.
Head coach Rhett Lashlee now faces tough questions. Can SMU protect leads against power-conference opponents? Can Jennings cut down turnovers when the lights are brightest? And can the defense rise to the occasion instead of cracking late? With ACC heavyweights Clemson, Florida State, and Louisville ahead, the answers will shape the rest of their season.
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Bigger Picture
Beyond the statistics, this game captured everything that makes college football electric. A double-overtime shootout, a 14-point comeback, and a quarterback stepping into his own under the brightest lights — it was theater as much as sport.
For Baylor fans, it was vindication. For SMU fans, it was heartbreak. For the neutral observer, it was a reminder of why Saturday nights in September matter so much. No drama on stage or screen can replicate the emotional whiplash of a game like this.
Baylor 48, SMU 45 — a scoreline that won’t just fade into box-score history but will live on in Lone Star football folklore.
Written by Amaranth Sportline—The Voice of Great Champions
