SAN ANTONIO, TX — Baylor snapped a seven-year bowl victory drought in emphatic fashion, rallying from a halftime deficit to overwhelm San Diego State 63-31 in the 2028 Valero Alamo Bowl.

The victory marked the Bears’ first bowl win since defeating Ole Miss 21-7 in the 2021 Sugar Bowl.

The Aztecs came out firing, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and forcing Baylor to keep pace. San Diego State built a 21-7 lead in the second quarter and threatened to pull away.

With 3:18 remaining in the first half, running back Robert Koloamatangi scored on a 5-yard run to pull Baylor within 21-14. But the Aztecs answered less than two minutes later when quarterback Enrique Saucedo threw his fourth touchdown pass of the half to restore the 14-point advantage (28-14).

The Bears refused to fold.

Quarterback Walker White found tight end Joey Olson for a late touchdown before halftime, trimming the deficit to 28-21 heading into the locker room.

Then Baylor completely took over.

San Diego State opened the third quarter with a 24-yard field goal to make it 31-21, but those would be the Aztecs’ final points of the afternoon.

Baylor’s defense overwhelmed Saucedo for the remainder of the game, recording an astounding 8.5 sacks all toll. Senior edge rusher Charlie Collins led the charge with three sacks, while freshman defensive tackle Sateki Poe added two.

The Bears offense matched their defensive dominance.

With 3:02 left in the third quarter, White connected with Joseph Dodds on a 72-yard screen pass for a touchdown. Just over a minute later, White scored on a quarterback keeper to give Baylor its first lead of the game at 35-31.

The Bears picked up in the fourth quarter where they left off in the third.

Dodds powered in for three consecutive rushing touchdowns and White added one final highlight by connecting with Olson on a 72-yard touchdown pass with 1:42 remaining to cap a 42 unanswered points scoring barage.

The victory ended Baylor’s bowl drought after losses to Air Force, LSU, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss in subsequent postseason appearances.

The win also provided a fitting sendoff for Baylor’s senior class, including Walker White, Joseph Dodds, Charlie Collins, Tyshawn King, Rameir Hardy, Joey Olson, Mason Dossett, and Alex Foster, who closed their collegiate careers with one final victory in green and gold.