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WVU Eventually Runs Out of Bullets in Shootout Loss to Baylor

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WVU Football against Baylor/Kekoura Tarnue
Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Despite some scratching and clawing at the Bears, WVU eventually ran out of bullets and lost a shootout to Baylor, 49 to 35.

The return of Garrett Greene marked a chaotic, but also a rough day for West Virginia.

On the opening drive, Greene led the charge, using both his arm and legs. But as expected, Baylor answered after an incredible catch over multiple defenders by Bryson Washington.

It was then up to Greene to do it all over again. And even though WVU’s next possession included a big 21-yard completion to Justin Robinson, it would eventually fail. And then it would be Baylor jumping out to their first lead of the game when Josh Cameron ran by the defense all the way for the score.

Aided by penalties, Greene was able to just that. West Virginia punched in the rock for their second touchdown of the day thanks to a fluky play. Greene fired a pass that was almost intercepted before finding Traylon Ray.

However, that luck didn’t carry over to WVU’s next two possessions, which was most evident when Robinson dropped what would’ve been a first down on a fourth down attempt.

Baylor clawed their way back out in front to take a 21-14 lead after a 44-yard pass play found Monaray Baldwin. A decision to be safe and punt on a short fourth down instantly came back to haunt Neal Brown and the Mountaineers, too. The 51-yarder by Washington, once again running by the defense, awarded the Bears their biggest advantage of the day for either team – 28-14.

WVU finally managed to accomplish what they try to do every game – scoring off a big run. Donaldson gashed the defense for a 23-yard score. Unfortunately for the fans in attendance, they weren’t able to celebrate for long.

Baylor added one more touchdown in the final minutes of the first half, creating a 35-21 score that reads as a final in most stadium around the country.

West Virginia and a wild second quarter was not done yet. And an amazing catch by Clement set up critical touchdown for the Mountaineers.

Greene runs the ball in for a touchdown, but Baylor’s defense then pushes him out of the end zone and a scrum erupts. The play is reviewed but the touchdown stands. Baylor leads 35-28 after just one half of play.

WVU did enjoy some luck in the first few minutes of the third quarter. As a highlight to a confusing night for the refs, they almost blew a call, switching a Baylor touchdown to the right call of the runner being down. Baylor’s missed field goal kept the score intact, but West Virginia’s failure to get close enough to try one themselves gave the ball back to the Bears.

Just as WVU was enjoying some luck, one of their key players went down with a serious leg injury. Traylon Ray had to be carted off the field and did not return, calling into question the rest of his sophomore season.

The injury spelled the beginning of the end of the night for entire West Virginia team as well. Baylor upped their edge to 42-28, giving Washington 182 total yards and four touchdowns in the game.

One more score later and Baylor claimed a 49-35 victory, handing West Virginia their fourth loss at home.

The loss evens WVU’s overall record to 5-5 while dropping their Big 12 mark to 4-3, officially making the rest of the season simply about winning at least one more game to earn a postseason.

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