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Baylor’s third-string QB Jacob Zeno cuts into OU’s lead with huge 81-yard TD

Teddy Rydquist

By Teddy Rydquist

Published:

Scoring on a six-yard run by redshirt sophomore Kennedy Brooks and a 44-yard field goal by redshirt freshman Gabe Brkic, the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners jumped out to a 10-0 first quarter lead over the No. 7 Baylor Bears in Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

After a 44-yard field goal of their own by redshirt freshman John Mayers, Baylor tied the game at 10 when redshirt freshman quarterback Gerry Bohanon found sophomore Tyquan Thornton for a 33-yard touchdown with about three minutes remaining in the first half.

Mayers’ second field goal, a 28-yarder with 12 seconds left in the second quarter, gave the Bears a 13-10 halftime lead.

Scoring 13 unanswered points, the Sooners extended their cushion to 23-13 when Brkic knocked through his third field goal with 10:35 left in the fourth quarter.

While he did hit Thornton for a score, Bohanon completed just 4-15 passes for 56 yards. This lack of proficiency through the air led head coach Matt Rhule to turn to freshman Jacob Zeno in an attempt to give his offense a spark.

This decision paid immediate dividends for Rhule as Zeno threw an 81-yard touchdown to junior Trestan Ebner on his first pass attempt of the afternoon.

Max Olson of The Athletic shared footage of the play on Twitter:

Completing another pass to redshirt senior Chris Platt for 78 yards, Zeno completed two of his three passes in regulation for 159 yards.

Mayers’ third field goal of the contest with 3:29 remaining tied the game at 23 and sent us to overtime.

Teddy Rydquist

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.