Big 12 notebook: Baylor, Houston a match made of necessity

Some college football programs are learning to think fast on their feet during a pandemic-interrupted season.

Baylor and Houston have yet to kick off their campaigns because COVID-19 issues kept their original opponents benched. So they got together last weekend and arranged an impromptu matchup this Saturday in Waco.

It's one of only two games involving the Big 12 on the schedule. Eleventh-ranked Oklahoma State is making up a previously postponed date against Tulsa. Everyone else awaits their conference openers Sept. 26.

"This is our third first game we're having to prepare for," said Baylor's Dave Aranda, still awaiting his head coaching debut. "We had Ole Miss. Then we had Louisiana Tech. Now Houston."

Houston has a similar story. The Cougars had games with Rice and Washington State canceled. They were supposed to play their American Athletic Conference opener at 16th-ranked Memphis on Friday, but a virus-outbreak at Memphis scuttled that one, too.

"Our administration did a great job reaching out, trying to find a game," said Aranda, the former LSU defensive coordinator. "There are good contacts between UH and Baylor, and they got together. I know their defensive staff really well, and Dana Holgorsen is obviously familiar with Baylor and the Big 12.

"It's fun to have an opportunity to play a game. Last week when the team found out about the outbreak at La Tech, we had a lot of sad-looking guys. Now you can feel the excitement with knowing we've got a game."

Houston's six-year streak of winning records crashed in 2019 with a 4-8 mark. The Coogs are expected to bounce back with a veteran roster that ESPN.com listed as having the third-most amount of overall returning production (83%) among 130 FBS teams. Two of those players are senior running backs Mulbah Car of old Reagan High and Texas transfer Kyle Porter.

Baylor, coming off an 11-3 Sugar Bowl season, is at the opposite end, 108th on that ESPN list with just 51% returning production. Star quarterback Charlie Brewer of Lake Travis knows his way around Waco, having thrown for 7,742 yards and 51 touchdowns and having run for 18 more scores in three years.

Hitting the breaks: New Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler seemed to have a dream debut (14 of 17 for 290 yards and four TDs) in a 48-0 walkover against an overmatched FCS opponent. Missouri State's Bobby Petrino, the former Arkansas and Louisville coach, told the media, "He's got a great, quick release and can make all the throws. He already has pocket presence."

Sooners coach Lincoln Riley said, "He played pretty clean, but there are several things he'd like back. It was more positive than negative."

What wasn't positive about OU's first shutout in five years: Rushing 35 times for a mere 124 yards. "We've got to do better," Riley said. "We have a high standard for our run game and we did not meet that standard."

Tech start up: Alan Bowman threw for 430 yards, 11 Texas Tech players caught a pass and SaRodorick Thompson ran for 118 yards, but the Red Raiders still needed a late 2-point conversion stop to hold off FCS Houston Baptist 35-33. The Huskies had a 200-yard receiver and two 100-yard pass catchers.

"It's the first close win we've had here, so we're 1-5 in those games. We'll take it," said coach Matt Wells, whose Big 12 opener is home to Texas. "I thought we tackled very well. We gave up only 70 yards after contact, the lowest in our 13 games here. We have things to tighten up, though."

Despite the team flaws, inside linebacker Krishon Merriweather was named Big 12 defensive player of the week. The Hazelwood, Mo., product, who led national junior colleges in tackles a year ago, made 12 stops. He is the first Red Raider in 20 years to record double-digit tackles in a season opener.

Deuce on the loose: Deuce Vaughn, a 5-7, 170-pound freshman from Cedar Ridge, provided one of the few bright spots in Kansas State's 35-31 loss to Arkansas State, one of three Big 12 losses to Sun Belt teams. Vaughn was the Wildcats' top rusher with 47 yards on 12 carries and one TD. The rest of the team ran 27 times for 44 yards.

"Deuce was the best player on the field for us," Wildcats coach Chris Klieman said. "He showed maturity and discipline and answered the bell when he had opportunities. As far as the stage, Deuce was ready. I love the kid, his family, and the way he goes about his business.

"The problem was we lost the line of scrimmage. We've got to block better for him and everyone else."

Quick hitters: Iowa State did not have a play longer than 19 yards (a Breece Hall run) in its 31-14 loss to Louisiana. ... West Virginia, 127th in the country in rushing in 2019, got off the ground in a 56-10 stomping of Eastern Kentucky with two 100-yard rushers, Leddie Brown and Alec Sinkfield. ... TCU coach Gary Patterson said his team is itching to get started after COVID cancellations. The Horned Frogs' Sept. 26 home game with Iowa State will be their opener. "That's why I wanted a zero-week game," he said. "You want that first game to find out whether you're behind or ahead."

Big 12 players of the week

Offense: Sam Ehlinger, Texas QB

Defense: Krishon Merriweather, Texas Tech ILB

Special teams: Stephen Johnson, Oklahoma K

Newcomer: Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma QB