Southern Methodist Mustangs vs Baylor Bears Match Player Stats On Sep 02, 2012

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 2, 2012

Baylor 59, Southern Methodist 24: Nick Florence threw three first-half touchdown passes in his first start since 2009 as the Bears routed the visiting Mustangs in a matchup of former Southwest Conference rivals.

Florence finished 21-of-30 for 341 yards and four touchdowns while Jarred Salubi rushed for 91 yards and a score for Baylor, which defeated SMU for the 10th straight time.

In his first extended action in nearly three years following the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III to the NFL, Florence was efficient in directing the Bears on touchdown drives on each of their first two possessions.

Florence added his third passing score with just over two minutes remaining in the first half and capped off a stellar half by marching Baylor 50 yards in less than a minute to set up Aaron Jones' 44-yard field goal as time expired.

Despite the lopsided 24-3 deficit at halftime, SMU was its own worst enemy in the first half, coming away with only three points despite driving inside the Bears' 30 on three occasions.

However, the floodgates opened in the second half as Florence added his fourth touchdown pass late in the third quarter that left Baylor with a commanding 45-3 advantage before he gave way to backup Bryce Petty at the start of the fourth.

Zach Line rushed for 135 yards for the Mustangs, who have not opened the season with a road win since 1986.

GAME NOTEBOOK: This marked the 79th meeting between the in-state rivals, but the first since 2005. … Line - the two-time Conference USA rushing leader – posted his 16th career 100-yard rushing performance. … Baylor extended its home winning streak to eight games and hasn’t lost at Floyd Casey Stadium since a 53-24 setback against Oklahoma in 2010. … The Bears are in the midst of the nation’s second-longest active winning streak at seven, one behind Texas Christian.