WACO, Texas — Buffalo is coming off a 40-20 loss at Ohio State in its season opener, and Baylor coach sees the Bulls as a major step up for his Bears after the romp past Wofford in their season opener.
The Bears and Bulls meet Saturday (Sept. 7) in Waco.
“Buffalo brings a lot of sleek bodies that can run, guys that have been on a little bit bigger stages week in and week out than maybe our previous opponent,” Baylor coach Art Briles said. “They’re a team that won three out of their last four games and then went up to Ohio State and really played extremely well.”
The Bulls fell behind 23-0 in the first quarter but outscored the Buckeyes 20-17 the rest of the way.
“There were a couple things that didn’t go their way,” Briles said. “They had a turnover on Ohio State’s one-yard line that was with a hand to the face penalty, and then they had another fourth-and-1 that they didn’t get in down there late. So it could have been a lot closer.
“It’s going to be a good matchup for us from the standpoint that they’re more uptempo and they’re going to throw the ball more, and it’s more conducive to what we’ll see on down the line.”
Baylor rolled 69-0 in its opener, but Briles remains looking for more out of his club.
“I don’t think you ever really reach the level you want to play at,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve done it defensively, I don’t think we’ve done it special teams, I don’t think we’ve done it offensively.
“I don’t think we’ve done it as a football team or football program. You just never get to where you want to get to, but what you’ve got to do is get to where you’re at and then understand you’ve got to get better.”
Notes: Briles said the Bears came out of the opener injury free. … Senior PK Aaron Jones took over the No. 1 spot in field goals in the Baylor record by booting his 46th in the win over Wofford. … True freshman wide receiver Robbie Rhodes had two catches for 18 yards in his collegiate debut. … Senior safety Ahad Dixon enjoyed his return to his old position from nickelback and was credited with eight tackles against Wofford.