Baylor opened its seventh season on the road against Auburn, a rivalry that quickly turned into a tense battle as the Bears trailed 16‑14 with just nine seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Critical Fourth Quarter
With the score at 16‑14 and the clock winding down, Baylor faced a pivotal decision after a late Auburn touchdown had put the Tigers ahead.
Coach Dave Aranda, whose roster was missing several key offensive players, chose to forgo the extra point and attempt a two‑point conversion that could have given the Bears a 17‑16 lead.
Aranda explained that the limited personnel forced him to trust his remaining skill position players, and that extending the game would not improve Baylor’s chances of winning.
Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital designed the play to free a wide receiver, but the pass was thrown slightly behind tight end Matthew Klopfenstein, causing him to slow and be tackled short of the goal line by Auburn safety Eric Winters.
The failed conversion preserved Auburn’s lead, and the defensive stand that followed a 14‑play, 75‑yard drive kept the Tigers ahead long enough to seal the 17‑16 win.
Now 0‑1 and facing heightened scrutiny in his seventh year, Aranda must reassess his play‑calling strategy as the Bears look to bounce back from the early setback.