MORGANTOWN (AP) — Will Grier threw three touchdown passes and No. 13 West Virginia used a big second quarter to cruise to a 58-14 victory over Baylor on Thursday night.

The Mountaineers (6-1, 4-1 Big 12) bounced back from a blowout loss at Iowa State with arguably their best performances of the season on both sides of the ball.

During a 31-point second quarter, Grier had TD tosses of 25 and 65 yards to David Sills, and Grier ran for a 1-yard score for a 41-0 halftime lead. It marked the most points in a quarter for the Mountaineers since they scored 35 against Clemson in the Orange Bowl following the 2011 season.

West Virginia had 10 first-half drives, compiled 435 yards by the break and 568 overall.

“We needed to go out and play well and we did. It’s what our team needed,” West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. “It’s going to give us momentum for what we know is going to be a tough November.”

Grier had his best game in the span of a month after getting sacked seven times against Iowa State, throwing three interceptions in the red zone against Kansas and failing to get the Mountaineers into the end zone in the second half at Texas Tech.

He was limited to 100 passing yards in the 30-14 loss to the Cyclones two weeks ago and had 302 by halftime Thursday. He finished 17 of 27 for 353 yards and sat out the fourth quarter.

Baylor (4-4, 2-3) was limited to 287 total yards.

“I didn’t see it coming,” Baylor coach Matt Rhule said. “I thought our defense hung in there early, as the offense had some uncharacteristic turnovers.”

Charlie Brewer, who nearly brought Baylor back from a 38-13 fourth-quarter deficit against West Virginia as a freshman last year, threw three interceptions and was replaced by Jalan McClendon in the second quarter.

Rhule said Brewer “looked a little out of it” as he left the field and was being evaluated for a potential injury that Rhule didn’t specify. Brewer went 1 of 8 for 22 yards.

Evan Staley kicked three field goals for West Virginia. His 44-yarder in the third quarter boosted the lead to 44-0.

THE TAKEAWAY

Baylor: The Bears lost their third straight road game to a ranked league opponent. They still have plenty of chances to get two more wins to become bowl eligible a year after going 1-11 in Rhule’s first season. Baylor dropped to 0-4 against West Virginia in Morgantown.

West Virginia: The defense had 12 tackles for losses, including five sacks, and was noticeably better after what defensive coordinator Tony Gibson pointed out were 31 missed tackles in the team’s only loss.

WR IMPROVEMENT

West Virginia’s wide receivers combined for just eight catches two weeks ago in part because they couldn’t separate themselves from Iowa State defenders. They made a point to get open Thursday. Sills had five catches for 139 yards and Gary Jennings had three for 100 yards. Jennings caught a 53-yard TD pass from Grier on West Virginia’s first drive and a 36-yarder from Jack Allison in the fourth quarter.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Mountaineers could have an opportunity to move up in the AP Top 25 poll after falling out of the top 10 last week.

UP NEXT

Baylor: Hosts Oklahoma State on Nov. 3.

West Virginia: Plays at No. 6 Texas on Nov. 3.