Sports

Big 12 football standings after Week 5

Kellen O’Halloran

October 1, 2024

Tyler Manoa and Arizona’s defense force a safety against NAU in the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium on Sept. 7. Arizona will play its first home Big 12 game against Texas Tech Oct. 5.

The Big 12 conference games did not disappoint in Week 5 after four of the conference’s five ranked teams matched up. The week was highlighted by No 10. University of Utah falling to the University of Arizona and BYU continuing their undefeated campaign against Baylor University as they find themselves at the top of the Big 12 standings.

Conference Games

Arizona 23 – No. 10 Utah 10

Arizona upset No. 10 Utah 23-10, thanks to Noah Fifita’s 197 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus a strong defensive effort that included two interceptions and four fourth-down stops. Without starting quarterback Cam Rising, Utah struggled offensively especially in the red zone. Freshman Isaac Wilson passed for 280 yards and a touchdown but threw two interceptions. Utah tried to get the run game going throughout the game but had no success; Arizona’s defense held Utah to 2.9 yards per rush. Arizona got a bulk of their offense from big plays, including a 35-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to Keyan Burnett.

No. 23 Kansas State 42 – No. 20 Oklahoma State 20

No. 23 Kansas State University dominated No. 20 Oklahoma State University 42-20, led by Avery Johnson’s career-high 259 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, along with two rushing scores. DJ Giddens contributed 187 rushing yards and a 66-yard touchdown as Kansas State reeled off 35 straight points after trailing early. Oklahoma State’s Alan Bowman threw for 361 yards and a touchdown, but his three turnovers proved costly. Kansas State’s defense held Oklahoma State to 6-of-17 on third downs and forced three turnovers, securing a decisive win to bounce back from their previous blowout loss to BYU.

No. 22 BYU 34 – Baylor 28

BYU held off a late Baylor rally to win 34-28, securing the victory with safety Crew Wakley’s game-sealing interception in the final minute. The Cougars jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, powered by efficient offense and turnovers including an interception by Blake Mangelson that set up a touchdown. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff led BYU with 216 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and 53 rushing yards. Baylor fought back behind quarterback Sawyer Robertson’s 324 passing yards and 4 total touchdowns, but costly turnovers ultimately halted the Bears’ comeback attempt.

No. 18 Iowa State 20 – Houston 0

Rocco Becht threw for 153 yards and a touchdown and Abu Sama III rushed for 101 yards and a score as No. 18 Iowa State University blanked University of Houston 20-0 on Saturday night. The Cyclones achieved their first 4-0 start since 2000, with head coach Matt Campbell becoming the school’s all-time wins leader with 57 victories. Iowa State sealed the win with Becht’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins and Sama’s 77-yard touchdown run. Houston was shut out for the second straight week, marking its first consecutive shutouts since 1994.

TCU 38 – Kansas 27

JP Richardson’s 89-yard punt return for a touchdown was the highlight of the game as TCU beat the University of Kansas 38-27 on Saturday. Trailing 24-21 late in the third quarter, Richardson’s return gave the Horned Frogs a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Josh Hoover passed for 356 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 59-yard strike to Eric McAlister. Kansas jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and kept the game competitive with multiple lead changes despite being out-gained 507 to 346 in total offense.

Texas Tech 44 – Cincinnati 41

Tahj Brooks rushed for 172 yards and 2 key touchdowns, leading Texas Tech University to a 44-41 victory over the University of Cincinnati. The Red Raiders held on after Cincinnati’s Nathan Hawks missed a 51-yard field goal as time expired. Brendan Sorsby threw for 426 yards and 4 touchdowns for Cincinnati but a costly fourth-quarter pick-six gave Texas Tech a two-score lead.

Colorado 48 – UCF 21

University of Colorado Boulder defeated University of Central Florida 48-21 on Saturday at FBC Mortgage Stadium after coming into the game as 13 point underdogs. The Buffaloes, led by head coach Deion Sanders, improved to 4-1 with their third straight win. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Colorado’s defense forced four turnovers, including a 95-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig. Despite 461 yards of total offense for UCF, the Knights’ four turnovers including three in the red zone were costly. RJ Harvey recorded 169 all-purpose yards, but UCF couldn’t close the gap as Colorado pulled away with 21 second-half points.