By KEVIN LONNQUIST
Publisher
No. 17 Baylor rushed for a FBS bowl record and school record 645 yards as the Bears defeated No. 10 North Carolina, 49-38, in the Russell Athletic Bowl Dec. 29 in Orlando. The Bears finish the 2015 season at 10-3 and reach double digit wins for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Sophomore running back Johnny Jefferson rushed for a school-record and bowl record 299 yards and three scores. He accounted for 323 total yards (24 passing yards) and was named bowl game MVP.
So what did the Publisher think?
>First off, I want to acknowledge my very failed prediction of North Carolina 35, Baylor 24. So that would mean I went 0-4 in predicting the outcome in Baylor’s final four games of the season. I missed on Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas and the bowl game. So in order to face the music, I think this is appropriate.
Now on to the game.
>In my first year covering Aledo in 2006, I was with the Bearcats at Waco ISD Stadium when they lost Copperas Cove and Robert Griffin III in the state semifinals, 38-13. An unnamed coach looked at me and said, “They kicked our axx and made us like it.’’ Surely, North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora, a Texas high school coach in his upbringing, heard this statement along the way and must have recalled it sometime during Baylor’s epic march over his ballclub. That’s what this was – a march. From the opening snap this was an offense that imposed its will and had North Carolina constantly on the backpedal. If anyone wants to know why I have so long preached why there is no substitute for a consistent running game, this game revealed it. If Baylor was somewhat credible with its running game in the Cotton Bowl against Michigan State, it wins going away. But that’s history.
>This game illustrates why Baylor head coach Art Briles is such a savvy offensive coach. If you missed what ESPN analyst Ed Cunningham said early in the game, he said Briles doesn’t worry about who he doesn’t have when it comes to preparing to play a game, he worries about who he does have and makes the best out of it. Maybe there was a reason why Briles was so forthcoming about who wouldn’t play in this game? He nonchalantly said WR Corey Coleman (sports hernia), running back Shock Linwood (broken foot) and quarterbacks Seth Russell (broken neck) and Jarrett Stidham (ankle fracture) wouldn’t play. It was also learned that senior right tackle Pat Colbert (shoulder) would miss the game. What Briles did know was that he had the bulk of his offensive line returning, the depth to move Blake Muir from left guard to right tackle, depth at running back between Jefferson, Devin Chafin and Terence Williams and three weeks to prepare for the Tar Heels.
>You could also view this as a very beneficial night for offensive coordinator Kendal Briles on how to make adjustments and make use of personnel. For any coach, you never stop learning.
>So this game returned to Briles early days in Rule where the single wing was en vogue. The direct snap du jour went to QB Chris Johnson, Jefferson, Williams, Chafin and Lynx Hawthorne. They practiced it. Everybody knew their assignment. Now, when we saw this on the opening drive, I’m sure all of us thought, “What in the world is this staff doing?” The Texas game was one thing. But we’re talking about a bowl game. Well, when you have everybody buying into what’s being preached and gaining confidence early, it can be a great mix. By the end of this game, the Bears averaged 7.7 yards per attempt. You could tell by the middle of the second quarter that North Carolina just couldn’t meet the moment. Yes, it was hot in Orlando but defensive players had hands on hips by the middle of the second quarter.
>What was really enjoyable about Jefferson’s night is that word got the sideline that he was close to reaching 1,000 yards for the season. The staff did right to get him there. He made it right to the magic number on his final carry. Who would have thought he would even have a remote chance of getting there? He could have had the best arm of the guys playing QB. But don’t discount Devin Chafin’s career night of 161 yards and Terence Williams adding 97.
>Briles said after the win over Texas Tech, his offensive line makes it possible for Baylor to play at any speed. Now, there were times this group had its issues against pretty athletic defensive fronts this year (see Oklahoma and parts of Texas, Iowa State and TCU – yes, I know the rain was a part of both of those games). But this was a group that put some of those frustrations behind it and formed the fist. Baylor ran off 102 plays, 84 on the ground. Run blocking is a little easier technique wise but you still have to do it. All of the TDs were on the ground. You had four All-Big 12 selections out there in Spencer Drango, Jarell Broxton, Blake Muir and Kyle Fuller. They weren't named to those teams because it was out of sympathy. They earned it.
>There’s really not much to say about the passing game because it was just a passenger on the bus. Even though Chris Johnson threw the interception in the end zone, I had no problem with the call. He just needed a little more lift on it. What I will say is that this wide receiver group is going to need some leadership when 2016 spring football begins. With no Coleman and Lee going out, this was an opportunity for KD Cannon to show that. He didn’t. When he drew the PI call in the third quarter, he still kept running his mouth and was warned by the officials to shut it. Did he listen? No. A couple of plays later, he draws the flag. Look you can have all of the talent in the world. But sometime between now and spring, wide receivers coach Tate Wallis and OC Kendal Briles have to have a come-to-Jesus talk with Cannon about what it takes to be a leader and what he’s going to have to do in order to earn it. The torch is there for Cannon to grasp. This might be the most important spring in Cannon’s development at Baylor. He can’t hide anymore.
>The same goes for PK Chris Callahan. His whiff on the 37-yard effort at the end of the first half was inexcusable. It only validates why Rockford, MI PK Quinn Nordin is scheduled to take an official visit in January and the Bears have extended a preferred walk on opportunity to Colleyville Heritage's Max Adams. Callahan isn't reliable beyond 40 yards. Now, it's a roll of the dice inside of it. Lonely night for punter Drew Galitz who technically didn't punt. On his only attempt, the Tar Heels were flagged for roughing the punter. The Bears kept the ball. That was also a good thing because UNC punt return specialist Ryan Switzer, who has two returns for TDs this year, was never heard from.
>Yes, I know that the defense gave up 447 yards. And the lack of pressure on UNC QB Marquise Williams early was pretty abysmal. However, this group made key stops at the right time. But some of that was when the game was out of reach. Aiavion Edwards played his best game as a Bear. His forced fumble into the end zone in the middle of the third quarter is probably the play of this game. By the way, I was not impressed at all with North Carolina QB Marquise Williams. His feet were bad and some of his throws were, “What was that.’’ Some of it was eventual Baylor pressure. Some of that was just him being a mechanical mess. Baylor was definitely the faster team. Again, if this was it for Andrew Billings and he decides to go to the NFL draft, good for him. I had no regrets with what I reported two weeks ago. I know what I reported was accurate. But he does have until Jan. 18 to made that decision official. We’ll see.
>This game reminded me of the 2012 Holiday Bowl against UCLA. The Bears were underdogs and played with a very serious case of controlled anger. This team played with a chip on its shoulder. This team was ready to go. We can debate if it played better without the spotlight and not as much as stake than it did the last two New Year’s Day. I guess that can go round and round. It could be an apples and oranges discussion. But the bottom line is that Baylor wins a bowl game in Florida for the first time ever. It evens its all-time bowl record, 11-11 and is now 3-3 in bowls under Briles. There’s momentum going into the offseason. Maybe the performance did something to help Baylor gain the lead for some recruit like Rivals 100 2016 safety Brandon Jones. That story will play itself out.
>What we did see was a program that became resourceful, maintained its credibility and beat another quality program. When your past five seasons have this number – 10, 8, 11, 11, 10 -- in the W column, you’re doing something right.
Publisher
No. 17 Baylor rushed for a FBS bowl record and school record 645 yards as the Bears defeated No. 10 North Carolina, 49-38, in the Russell Athletic Bowl Dec. 29 in Orlando. The Bears finish the 2015 season at 10-3 and reach double digit wins for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Sophomore running back Johnny Jefferson rushed for a school-record and bowl record 299 yards and three scores. He accounted for 323 total yards (24 passing yards) and was named bowl game MVP.
So what did the Publisher think?
>First off, I want to acknowledge my very failed prediction of North Carolina 35, Baylor 24. So that would mean I went 0-4 in predicting the outcome in Baylor’s final four games of the season. I missed on Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas and the bowl game. So in order to face the music, I think this is appropriate.
Now on to the game.
>In my first year covering Aledo in 2006, I was with the Bearcats at Waco ISD Stadium when they lost Copperas Cove and Robert Griffin III in the state semifinals, 38-13. An unnamed coach looked at me and said, “They kicked our axx and made us like it.’’ Surely, North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora, a Texas high school coach in his upbringing, heard this statement along the way and must have recalled it sometime during Baylor’s epic march over his ballclub. That’s what this was – a march. From the opening snap this was an offense that imposed its will and had North Carolina constantly on the backpedal. If anyone wants to know why I have so long preached why there is no substitute for a consistent running game, this game revealed it. If Baylor was somewhat credible with its running game in the Cotton Bowl against Michigan State, it wins going away. But that’s history.
>This game illustrates why Baylor head coach Art Briles is such a savvy offensive coach. If you missed what ESPN analyst Ed Cunningham said early in the game, he said Briles doesn’t worry about who he doesn’t have when it comes to preparing to play a game, he worries about who he does have and makes the best out of it. Maybe there was a reason why Briles was so forthcoming about who wouldn’t play in this game? He nonchalantly said WR Corey Coleman (sports hernia), running back Shock Linwood (broken foot) and quarterbacks Seth Russell (broken neck) and Jarrett Stidham (ankle fracture) wouldn’t play. It was also learned that senior right tackle Pat Colbert (shoulder) would miss the game. What Briles did know was that he had the bulk of his offensive line returning, the depth to move Blake Muir from left guard to right tackle, depth at running back between Jefferson, Devin Chafin and Terence Williams and three weeks to prepare for the Tar Heels.
>You could also view this as a very beneficial night for offensive coordinator Kendal Briles on how to make adjustments and make use of personnel. For any coach, you never stop learning.
>So this game returned to Briles early days in Rule where the single wing was en vogue. The direct snap du jour went to QB Chris Johnson, Jefferson, Williams, Chafin and Lynx Hawthorne. They practiced it. Everybody knew their assignment. Now, when we saw this on the opening drive, I’m sure all of us thought, “What in the world is this staff doing?” The Texas game was one thing. But we’re talking about a bowl game. Well, when you have everybody buying into what’s being preached and gaining confidence early, it can be a great mix. By the end of this game, the Bears averaged 7.7 yards per attempt. You could tell by the middle of the second quarter that North Carolina just couldn’t meet the moment. Yes, it was hot in Orlando but defensive players had hands on hips by the middle of the second quarter.
>What was really enjoyable about Jefferson’s night is that word got the sideline that he was close to reaching 1,000 yards for the season. The staff did right to get him there. He made it right to the magic number on his final carry. Who would have thought he would even have a remote chance of getting there? He could have had the best arm of the guys playing QB. But don’t discount Devin Chafin’s career night of 161 yards and Terence Williams adding 97.
>Briles said after the win over Texas Tech, his offensive line makes it possible for Baylor to play at any speed. Now, there were times this group had its issues against pretty athletic defensive fronts this year (see Oklahoma and parts of Texas, Iowa State and TCU – yes, I know the rain was a part of both of those games). But this was a group that put some of those frustrations behind it and formed the fist. Baylor ran off 102 plays, 84 on the ground. Run blocking is a little easier technique wise but you still have to do it. All of the TDs were on the ground. You had four All-Big 12 selections out there in Spencer Drango, Jarell Broxton, Blake Muir and Kyle Fuller. They weren't named to those teams because it was out of sympathy. They earned it.
>There’s really not much to say about the passing game because it was just a passenger on the bus. Even though Chris Johnson threw the interception in the end zone, I had no problem with the call. He just needed a little more lift on it. What I will say is that this wide receiver group is going to need some leadership when 2016 spring football begins. With no Coleman and Lee going out, this was an opportunity for KD Cannon to show that. He didn’t. When he drew the PI call in the third quarter, he still kept running his mouth and was warned by the officials to shut it. Did he listen? No. A couple of plays later, he draws the flag. Look you can have all of the talent in the world. But sometime between now and spring, wide receivers coach Tate Wallis and OC Kendal Briles have to have a come-to-Jesus talk with Cannon about what it takes to be a leader and what he’s going to have to do in order to earn it. The torch is there for Cannon to grasp. This might be the most important spring in Cannon’s development at Baylor. He can’t hide anymore.
>The same goes for PK Chris Callahan. His whiff on the 37-yard effort at the end of the first half was inexcusable. It only validates why Rockford, MI PK Quinn Nordin is scheduled to take an official visit in January and the Bears have extended a preferred walk on opportunity to Colleyville Heritage's Max Adams. Callahan isn't reliable beyond 40 yards. Now, it's a roll of the dice inside of it. Lonely night for punter Drew Galitz who technically didn't punt. On his only attempt, the Tar Heels were flagged for roughing the punter. The Bears kept the ball. That was also a good thing because UNC punt return specialist Ryan Switzer, who has two returns for TDs this year, was never heard from.
>Yes, I know that the defense gave up 447 yards. And the lack of pressure on UNC QB Marquise Williams early was pretty abysmal. However, this group made key stops at the right time. But some of that was when the game was out of reach. Aiavion Edwards played his best game as a Bear. His forced fumble into the end zone in the middle of the third quarter is probably the play of this game. By the way, I was not impressed at all with North Carolina QB Marquise Williams. His feet were bad and some of his throws were, “What was that.’’ Some of it was eventual Baylor pressure. Some of that was just him being a mechanical mess. Baylor was definitely the faster team. Again, if this was it for Andrew Billings and he decides to go to the NFL draft, good for him. I had no regrets with what I reported two weeks ago. I know what I reported was accurate. But he does have until Jan. 18 to made that decision official. We’ll see.
>This game reminded me of the 2012 Holiday Bowl against UCLA. The Bears were underdogs and played with a very serious case of controlled anger. This team played with a chip on its shoulder. This team was ready to go. We can debate if it played better without the spotlight and not as much as stake than it did the last two New Year’s Day. I guess that can go round and round. It could be an apples and oranges discussion. But the bottom line is that Baylor wins a bowl game in Florida for the first time ever. It evens its all-time bowl record, 11-11 and is now 3-3 in bowls under Briles. There’s momentum going into the offseason. Maybe the performance did something to help Baylor gain the lead for some recruit like Rivals 100 2016 safety Brandon Jones. That story will play itself out.
>What we did see was a program that became resourceful, maintained its credibility and beat another quality program. When your past five seasons have this number – 10, 8, 11, 11, 10 -- in the W column, you’re doing something right.
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