MEMPHIS - Baylor's defensive front and a strong night from kicker Keegan Weekley helped lift the Red Raiders to a 16-12 upset of top-ranked Memphis University School in the Division II-AA state quarterfinals Friday.
After falling behind early, Baylor tied the game early in the second quarter on a 30-yard pass play from Bryce Verble to Gunner Ricketts. Weekley connected on the first of three field goals, this one from 21 yards just before halftime for a 10-7 lead.
MUS tied the game early in the third, but Baylor regained the lead on Weekley's 46-yard field goal. After the Owls closed within 13-12 on a safety late in the quarter, it was again Weekley who gave Baylor a little cushion with a 20-yard field goal midway through the fourth for what proved to be the final margin.
"We talk about how tough it is traveling this distance to play, but I'm certainly proud of the way our kids played here," Baylor coach Phil Massey said. "You'd rather get touchdowns when you get close, but those field goals proved to be the difference.
"Our defense played lights-out. I can't say enough about them. We got turnovers and stops when we needed them. I couldn't be more proud of our kids, because this was a total team effort."
Baylor held MUS to 36 rushing yards on 20 carries, and the Red Raiders outgained the Owls 277-255 in total yards. Baylor also intercepted MUS three times, including one by Brendan Harris, who also led the Red Raiders with 72 rushing yards. Verble threw for 174 yards and the score.
Baylor (8-4) will be on the road again next week for a semifinal game at Brentwood Academy (8-2), which held off McCallie.