Baylor second-year running back Caden Knighten wasn’t penciled in for a statistically significant game.
The Oklahoma native entered Mountain America Stadium, filled with a monsoon of maroon-clad fans showing up for a 10th consecutive sellout, as a member of a backfield that had only recorded 603 total yards — the fifth-worst mark in the Big 12. In the running back room itself, Knighten entered second to senior back Dawson Pendergrass, with 43 carries to 73.
Yet, it was Knighten on the field with 4:44 left in the third quarter, ready to receive the handoff for the Bears’ first play of offense after Arizona State’s third field goal of the night. Knighten found the ball in his arms, charging downfield as the Sun Devils sent an unsuccessful double safety blitz. He found room on the right side of the field, broke a tackle, and went untouched the rest of the way for a 75-yard touchdown, increasing the Bears’ lead to 45-16…