By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor is back in the win column after struggling early and then eventually putting away Texas State, 42-7.
The No. 17 Bears led only 14-7 in the final stages of the first half before a 2-minute drill kickstarted a 96-yard touchdown scoring drive. It culminated in Blake Shapen’s 35-yard play fake scoring run that pretty much caused everybody in McLane Stadium to bite on it.
With nonconference play over at 2-1, the Big 12 season begins at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Ames, IA against 3-0 Iowa State.
SicEmSports provides reflections, observations and three Golden Bears.
Upon Reflection
This is why I’ve taken the new postgame approach of letting the game digest before providing analysis (Plus, I want to get home back to Fort Worth at a decent hour).
For as much as the first half caused a lot of frustration and concern about what this team is all about, there is the reality that when you don’t play with a lot of starters, you tend to look a little clunky.
I’m going to give Baylor the benefit of the doubt because it was missing among its notables wide receiver Monaray Baldwin, running back Taye McWilliams – more about the RB spot later – tight end Ben Sims (Dave Aranda described those three as head injuries) defensive end Cole Maxwell and safety Christian Morgan. In a game like this, Baylor did not need to play them and did the right thing.
Now, there is a certain thing about playing to a standard even against teams you know you’re going to dominate. While a program is setting the bar, keep in mind you have a head coach who is trying to establish that. He’s only in his third season.
Of course, 2021 was extraordinary because everything came together. But it doesn’t mean once you have that kind of season it’s just going occur every successive year. This is a process. If Baylor was already there, it would be talked about in the same breath as Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State. Well, we still have a ways to go there.
I’m not saying the Bears were not engaged throughout the game against Texas State, but injuries or not, they were not playing at a standard.
Now, they got it together in the second half, which is what good teams do. Plus, their depth in the fourth quarter was reflected in a game like this.
OL/DL
We’re through three games. The preseason hype that came with these two units – and I was one of those who championed it because of what they did last year – is not matching up with the performance.
Let’s start with the offensive line. To what extent the absence of Khalil Keith is to this unit is impacting this is there. But you still have three returners who haven’t missed time in left tackle Connor Galvin (he’s not having a very good season), center Jacob Gall (he’s been just OK) and guard Grant Miller (he’s been up and down).
You can’t complain about 7.9 yards per carry Saturday against Texas State. No one should. Baylor broke off four touchdown runs of 14 yards or more. In fact, 131 of Baylor’s 293 rushing yards came on those plays. But there were times when that unit was dominated. I would also call the pass protection just OK, even though Shapen wasn’t sacked.
Then there’s the defensive line. That was more concerning than the offensive line. In the first half, that group presented zero pressure on Texas State QB Layne Hatcher. He had a clean pocket and finished 17-21 (81%). This is when it was on the line.
To its credit, the defensive line was better in the second half with two sacks and nose tackle Apu Ika with batted passes on consecutive plays that ended a Bobcat drive. His best game so far.
Aranda’s answer about the fronts was refreshing because he didn’t sugarcoat where those two units were. They’re not where they need to be. Not even close. In fact him taking blame about the offensive line not playing with an edge was even more stunning.
He and his staff know that this kind of line play won’t cut it for the remaining nine games when there is Big 12 championship to chase.
Losing Maxwell is a problem. But there is a lot of depth on that front. They rotated eight into the game with maybe the exception of using Cooper Lanz in the spot vacated by Maxwell. Playing without one is doable. Playing without multiple is a problem.
If this group looks the same against Iowa State QB Hunter Dekkers, then this whole thing may have a prolonged issue.
Then there’s this
Keep this thought in mind. With Baylor having so many offensive and defensive linemen returning, opponents had all offseason to break them down. They didn’t have that kind of time last year. Mix that in with what is being collected in 2022, and you see where this is going.
Who starts at RB
There is unwritten rule that a starter should not lose his job due to injury. But given that Taye McWilliams is likely dealing with a concussion and the fact Richard Reese had a tremendous performance Saturday, it would be stunning to see if Reese isn’t starter Saturday in Ames.
Even if McWilliams is to return on Saturday, my belief is that the Baylor coaches will want to play it cautious with him. Should he return to 100 percent, then you have debate. The discussion would be even more difficult if Reese plays well against the Cyclones.
Quick hits
>This passing offense still has a ways to go finding an alpha receiver. I don't know who the top three targets are yet.
>All three Baylor turnovers were committed in the second half. Two by starters. The INT by Shapen and the fumble by Sqwirl.
>Baylor’s defense held Texas State to a combined 5-18 on third and fourth down attempts.
Golden Bears
The yearly tradition returns. No matter the outcome, we select the three who had the most impact on the Bears’ performance. The following are from Baylor’s 42-7 victory over Texas State.
Richard Reese, RB, Fr.: Pretty much talked about him at the top. But that 52-yard TD run to essentially put this one on cruise control was a great run. Good stuff from a guy coming who just showed up in June. He leads all Baylor RBs with 237 yards for the season.
Notable – Rushing: 19-156 3TD; Receiving: 1-17
Gavin Holmes, WR, 6th: The best thing I liked about his 28-yard TD reception is that he ran a really clean rout, caught the ball in stride and charged to the end zone like he was trying to spring to the finish line in race. Because there are so many young receivers, he may emerge as the alpha.
Notable – Receiving: 3-46 1TD
T.J. Franklin, DE, Sr.: A really good day for him. He was one of the better pass rushers in the game, even in the first half. Always had his hands up on passes. Franklin then teamed with Matt Jones on one of Baylor’s two sacks.
Notable – 2 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 0.5 sacks
Publisher
Baylor is back in the win column after struggling early and then eventually putting away Texas State, 42-7.
The No. 17 Bears led only 14-7 in the final stages of the first half before a 2-minute drill kickstarted a 96-yard touchdown scoring drive. It culminated in Blake Shapen’s 35-yard play fake scoring run that pretty much caused everybody in McLane Stadium to bite on it.
With nonconference play over at 2-1, the Big 12 season begins at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Ames, IA against 3-0 Iowa State.
SicEmSports provides reflections, observations and three Golden Bears.
Upon Reflection
This is why I’ve taken the new postgame approach of letting the game digest before providing analysis (Plus, I want to get home back to Fort Worth at a decent hour).
For as much as the first half caused a lot of frustration and concern about what this team is all about, there is the reality that when you don’t play with a lot of starters, you tend to look a little clunky.
I’m going to give Baylor the benefit of the doubt because it was missing among its notables wide receiver Monaray Baldwin, running back Taye McWilliams – more about the RB spot later – tight end Ben Sims (Dave Aranda described those three as head injuries) defensive end Cole Maxwell and safety Christian Morgan. In a game like this, Baylor did not need to play them and did the right thing.
Now, there is a certain thing about playing to a standard even against teams you know you’re going to dominate. While a program is setting the bar, keep in mind you have a head coach who is trying to establish that. He’s only in his third season.
Of course, 2021 was extraordinary because everything came together. But it doesn’t mean once you have that kind of season it’s just going occur every successive year. This is a process. If Baylor was already there, it would be talked about in the same breath as Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State. Well, we still have a ways to go there.
I’m not saying the Bears were not engaged throughout the game against Texas State, but injuries or not, they were not playing at a standard.
Now, they got it together in the second half, which is what good teams do. Plus, their depth in the fourth quarter was reflected in a game like this.
OL/DL
We’re through three games. The preseason hype that came with these two units – and I was one of those who championed it because of what they did last year – is not matching up with the performance.
Let’s start with the offensive line. To what extent the absence of Khalil Keith is to this unit is impacting this is there. But you still have three returners who haven’t missed time in left tackle Connor Galvin (he’s not having a very good season), center Jacob Gall (he’s been just OK) and guard Grant Miller (he’s been up and down).
You can’t complain about 7.9 yards per carry Saturday against Texas State. No one should. Baylor broke off four touchdown runs of 14 yards or more. In fact, 131 of Baylor’s 293 rushing yards came on those plays. But there were times when that unit was dominated. I would also call the pass protection just OK, even though Shapen wasn’t sacked.
Then there’s the defensive line. That was more concerning than the offensive line. In the first half, that group presented zero pressure on Texas State QB Layne Hatcher. He had a clean pocket and finished 17-21 (81%). This is when it was on the line.
To its credit, the defensive line was better in the second half with two sacks and nose tackle Apu Ika with batted passes on consecutive plays that ended a Bobcat drive. His best game so far.
Aranda’s answer about the fronts was refreshing because he didn’t sugarcoat where those two units were. They’re not where they need to be. Not even close. In fact him taking blame about the offensive line not playing with an edge was even more stunning.
He and his staff know that this kind of line play won’t cut it for the remaining nine games when there is Big 12 championship to chase.
Losing Maxwell is a problem. But there is a lot of depth on that front. They rotated eight into the game with maybe the exception of using Cooper Lanz in the spot vacated by Maxwell. Playing without one is doable. Playing without multiple is a problem.
If this group looks the same against Iowa State QB Hunter Dekkers, then this whole thing may have a prolonged issue.
Then there’s this
Keep this thought in mind. With Baylor having so many offensive and defensive linemen returning, opponents had all offseason to break them down. They didn’t have that kind of time last year. Mix that in with what is being collected in 2022, and you see where this is going.
Who starts at RB
There is unwritten rule that a starter should not lose his job due to injury. But given that Taye McWilliams is likely dealing with a concussion and the fact Richard Reese had a tremendous performance Saturday, it would be stunning to see if Reese isn’t starter Saturday in Ames.
Even if McWilliams is to return on Saturday, my belief is that the Baylor coaches will want to play it cautious with him. Should he return to 100 percent, then you have debate. The discussion would be even more difficult if Reese plays well against the Cyclones.
Quick hits
>This passing offense still has a ways to go finding an alpha receiver. I don't know who the top three targets are yet.
>All three Baylor turnovers were committed in the second half. Two by starters. The INT by Shapen and the fumble by Sqwirl.
>Baylor’s defense held Texas State to a combined 5-18 on third and fourth down attempts.
Golden Bears
The yearly tradition returns. No matter the outcome, we select the three who had the most impact on the Bears’ performance. The following are from Baylor’s 42-7 victory over Texas State.
Richard Reese, RB, Fr.: Pretty much talked about him at the top. But that 52-yard TD run to essentially put this one on cruise control was a great run. Good stuff from a guy coming who just showed up in June. He leads all Baylor RBs with 237 yards for the season.
Notable – Rushing: 19-156 3TD; Receiving: 1-17
Gavin Holmes, WR, 6th: The best thing I liked about his 28-yard TD reception is that he ran a really clean rout, caught the ball in stride and charged to the end zone like he was trying to spring to the finish line in race. Because there are so many young receivers, he may emerge as the alpha.
Notable – Receiving: 3-46 1TD
T.J. Franklin, DE, Sr.: A really good day for him. He was one of the better pass rushers in the game, even in the first half. Always had his hands up on passes. Franklin then teamed with Matt Jones on one of Baylor’s two sacks.
Notable – 2 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 0.5 sacks
