It’s been a bit boring this bowl season to be honest but we have the makings of a fun one down in Houston as Baylor and Vanderbilt have traded big play after big play as the Texas Bowl hit halftime with a 21-17 scoreboard in favor of the Commodores.
Playing in front of a very partisan crowd of green and gold at NRG Stadium, Matt Rhule’s squad had already put together three scoring drives of over 68 yards and the Bears managed 289 yards of total offense in just two quarters worth of work. QB Charlie Brewer threw for 153 of those yards but really helped open things up with a number of scrambles and was averaging a robust 6.4 per carry. That would sound mighty impressive were it not for backfield-mate Jamycal Hasty, who was sitting pretty at 7.2 yards per touch and had a touchdown scamper as well.
Vandy’s offense went blow-by-blow with their Big 12 opponent however. Signal-caller Kyler Shurmur was only completing about half his passes but still had 123 yards through the air, most of which game on a long touchdown pass that saw Khari Blasinggame turn on the jets and race up the sidelines for a 65-yarder. The real MVP of the first half for the Dores was Ke’Shawn Vaughn though as the tailback had seven carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Yep, 150 yards at halftime.
Needless to say, this has been a fun one so far and a lot better than you’d expect from two 6-6 teams that just barely snuck into the postseason. Each side is more than motivated to end the year on a high note and it all should make for a fun finish deep in the heart of the Lone Star State on Thursday night.