The Baylor football team throttled UCF on Friday night, to win its first game after the firing of former head coach Dave Aranda. Interim head coach Joe Klanderman got the win for the Bears. He gave flowers to his quarterback DJ Lagway, following the victory.
“I thought he cut it loose like I've never seen him cut it loose,” Klanderman said of Lagway, per ESPN.
Klanderman's Baylor team defeated UCF 41-9. It was a convincing win for the interim head coach. Baylor is now 5-3 on the season, and 3-2 in the Big 12 conference standings.
Lagway is a transfer from Florida, who is leading Baylor's offense this season. Against UCF, Lagway posted 319 passing yards and four touchdown throws.
Klanderman was previously the team's defensive coordinator before Baylor recently fired Aranda. He was proud of his team's effort Friday.
“We didn't relent in the fourth quarter. We didn't relent at halftime when we had a big lead,” Klanderman said, per the Associated Press. “These guys just kept showing up for each other, and that's the way we're going to keep going.”
The win was great news for Baylor, and their quarterback. Lagway had been slowed down this season by an ankle injury. He clearly played with poise on Friday night.
Article Continues Below“He's getting healthier, and he's just playing with a lot of confidence,” Klanderman said.
Baylor had lost back-to-back games before playing UCF. The Bears fired their former head coach Aranda after his team lost to Kansas on October 24. This win moves Baylor closer to becoming eligible to participate in a bowl game.
Baylor now moves on to play Iowa State on November 7. UCF meanwhile fell to 4-4 after the loss.