Football 9/3/2021 4:07:00 PM
BAYLOR at TEXAS STATE:
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
1.DEFENSE TRAVELS: Opening the season on the road for the first time since a 56-21 win at SMU to start the 2015 season, the Bears need to lean on a defense that added LSU transfer Siaki "Apu" Ika to an experienced unit that returns 10 starters. The Bobcats bolstered their offensive line with three transfers, including junior center Charles Fletcher from North Carolina State. But, a Baylor D-line anchored by the 6-4, 350-pound Ika should be able to put some pressure on sophomore QB Brady McBride. "Our ability to be simple and allow our players to come alive is key," second-year Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said.
2.IMMEDIATE IMPACT: While Texas State coach Jake Spavatal loaded up on transfers, with 20 listed in the depth chart, Apu Ika isn't the only impact transfer for the Bears. Jacob Gall (Buffalo) and Grant Miller (Vanderbilt) are both projected starters in the interior of the offensive line, with Dartmouth transfer Drew Estrada expected to play at slot receiver and possibly return kicks.
3.BREAKING IN A NEW QB: Replacing a four-year starter in Charlie Brewer, fourth-year junior Gerry Bohanon won the starting QB job over sophomore Jacob Zeno and redshirt freshman Blake Shapen. Surrounded by weapons at running back and receiver, Bohanon doesn't have to do it himself. He just has to take what the defense gives him and get the ball in his playmakers' hands. "I'd like to see Gerry get into a rhythm . . . gain confidence and take control of the team," Aranda said.
4.ESTABLISH THE RUN: That's first-year offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes' No. 1 priority. The Bears look to improve a running game that averaged 90.3 yards per game and 2.7 per carry last season. Trestan Ebner and Abram Smith provide a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield and should benefit from Grimes' wide-zone blocking scheme. Ebner "brings a home-run ability," Aranda said, while Smith is a "physical, downhill runner" that can grind out the tough yards up the middle.
5.BE YOU: Since the end of the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Bears have worked hard on developing an identity that "when you play Baylor, you know what you're going to get." That includes running the ball to set up play-action passes on offense, the defense "getting push in the middle and setting the edges," Aranda said, and "playing with great speed, enthusiasm and edge" in special teams. What was stressed in the spring and all through fall camp was "doing simple better." If the Bears can "show those things," Aranda said, "we can build off of it."
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
1.DEFENSE TRAVELS: Opening the season on the road for the first time since a 56-21 win at SMU to start the 2015 season, the Bears need to lean on a defense that added LSU transfer Siaki "Apu" Ika to an experienced unit that returns 10 starters. The Bobcats bolstered their offensive line with three transfers, including junior center Charles Fletcher from North Carolina State. But, a Baylor D-line anchored by the 6-4, 350-pound Ika should be able to put some pressure on sophomore QB Brady McBride. "Our ability to be simple and allow our players to come alive is key," second-year Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said.
2.IMMEDIATE IMPACT: While Texas State coach Jake Spavatal loaded up on transfers, with 20 listed in the depth chart, Apu Ika isn't the only impact transfer for the Bears. Jacob Gall (Buffalo) and Grant Miller (Vanderbilt) are both projected starters in the interior of the offensive line, with Dartmouth transfer Drew Estrada expected to play at slot receiver and possibly return kicks.
3.BREAKING IN A NEW QB: Replacing a four-year starter in Charlie Brewer, fourth-year junior Gerry Bohanon won the starting QB job over sophomore Jacob Zeno and redshirt freshman Blake Shapen. Surrounded by weapons at running back and receiver, Bohanon doesn't have to do it himself. He just has to take what the defense gives him and get the ball in his playmakers' hands. "I'd like to see Gerry get into a rhythm . . . gain confidence and take control of the team," Aranda said.
4.ESTABLISH THE RUN: That's first-year offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes' No. 1 priority. The Bears look to improve a running game that averaged 90.3 yards per game and 2.7 per carry last season. Trestan Ebner and Abram Smith provide a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield and should benefit from Grimes' wide-zone blocking scheme. Ebner "brings a home-run ability," Aranda said, while Smith is a "physical, downhill runner" that can grind out the tough yards up the middle.
5.BE YOU: Since the end of the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Bears have worked hard on developing an identity that "when you play Baylor, you know what you're going to get." That includes running the ball to set up play-action passes on offense, the defense "getting push in the middle and setting the edges," Aranda said, and "playing with great speed, enthusiasm and edge" in special teams. What was stressed in the spring and all through fall camp was "doing simple better." If the Bears can "show those things," Aranda said, "we can build off of it."
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Five Keys to Saturday's Game - BaylorBears.com
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