Baylor's Failed 2-Point Attempt Resulted in National Honors for Auburn

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Baylor's Failed 2-Point Attempt Resulted in National Honors for Auburn

Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (5) makes a game-winning tackle on Baylor Bears tight end Matthew Klopfenstein (85). — Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (5) makes a game-winning tackle on Baylor Bears tight end Matthew Klopfenstein (85) on a two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game as Auburn Tigers take on Baylor Bears in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Auburn Tigers defeated Baylor Bears 17-16. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Jason B. Hirschhorn · Baylor Bears On SI

Wed, Sep 9, 2026 ·

4 min read

The award-winning moment

On the two-point attempt, Baylor offensive coordinator Jake Spavital called a sprint-out play designed to funnel the ball to Klopfenstein. The Bears' wide receivers ran pick routes that cleared space for the tight end in the flat. At that point, quarterback DJ Lagway simply needed to place the ball on Klopfenstein's outside shoulder and watch his teammate cross the plane for the go-ahead score.

However, Lagway aimed his pass too far inside, forcing Klopfenstein to turn back toward the quarterback and slow his momentum. That opened the door for Winters to sift through the trash and make contact with the tight end short of the end zone.

Had Baylor scored on the two-point attempt, Auburn would have still had time left to mount a comeback. However, Winters' tackle of Klopfenstein eliminated that necessity. Instead, the Bears had to resort to an onside kick. That try failed, finally putting the game out of reach.

The fallout

Sep 5, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda on the sideline against the Auburn Tigers in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The choice to go for two instead of playing for overtime became a flashpoint for criticism. After the game, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda defended his decision .

"We had a bunch of guys getting Band Aided up," Aranda said during his postgame press conference. "We had a chance to kind of close it out, and we wanted to do that.

"There was no hesitation with that. We referenced the book, and the book said to go for it. But it wasn't so much that. It was more of we had so many guys that were just doing everything they can to try to push through and close this game out. I just didn't feel playing longer was going to benefit us."

The future?

Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Bears won't always have a talent disadvantage as they did against Auburn. Accordingly, their games won't usually come down to a kick-go call like Saturday's two-point attempt. And while Winters' tackle determined the outcome, Aranda probably wouldn't hear many complaints had Lagway put the ball in the right spot and Klopfenstein scored.

Still, for a regime facing existential concerns this season, every decision can become a referendum on the coaching staff. Fair or not, Aranda's 36-38 record leaves him vulnerable, and heartbreaking losses like Saturday's won't win him much support with the people who will determine his future.

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The award-winning moment

The fallout

The future?

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