EVENSVILLE, Tenn. — Baylor football coach Phil Massey called this one a team effort, especially citing the reserves who had to step up for cramping starters.
“We had some cramp issues because we’re not very deep, and the backups came in and did a good job,” Massey said.
However, with coaching niceties aside, Wil Austin, the senior transfer quarterback, all but put Baylor on his shoulders Thursday as the Red Raiders turned a 21-21 tie into a 35-27 victory at Rhea County. It was the season opener for both teams.
Austin wound up with 140 yards on 18 carries and completed 4 of 7 passes for another 128 yards.
“We came into the game thinking we were going to do a lot of running with him, and he did an outstanding job,” Massey said. “He threw it pretty well. He protected the ball. And he did a good job of getting extra yards after the first hit. It was a good showing for him in the first game of his senior season.”