ANOTHER MARKER PASSED

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
            Passing another significant marker, first-year Baylor head coach Dave Aranda got the news Tuesday that his Bears will kick off the season with a Sept. 12 home game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
            "Part of me would like to say that outside any of those things that we're working towards, we're putting as much effort into doing this and doing that," Aranda said during a media session Tuesday. "But, if you could choose that or choose, 'Hey, we're working toward this, this is what's waiting for us at the gates,' you'd much rather have that. Now that we do, I know everyone knows who La. Tech is, what they're about and what they've been able to do."
            Under eighth-year head coach Skip Holtz, Louisiana Tech capped a 10-3 season last year with a 14-0 win over Miami in the Independence Bowl.
            "I have a lot of respect for Louisiana Tech, a lot of respect for coach Holtz," Aranda said. "I have faced them before, and they gave us everything we wanted and more back when I was at LSU. (Holtz) is just a real strong offensive mind, very talented play-caller. I think he's one of the best there is when it comes to adjusting on the fly and getting his playmakers to do what they do best and get the ball in their hands with a lot of space. This will be a challenge for us, and our guys will be ready for it."
            Back in 2018, with Aranda as the defensive coordinator at LSU, the sixth-ranked Tigers led Louisiana Tech by just three points midway through the fourth quarter before pulling away late for a 38-21 win.
            "I'm just happy we have an opponent now," said junior receiver RJ Sneed. "We've been waiting for about a week. Now, we have something set in stone on September 12."
            'IT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT': Baylor football had six players graduate last Saturday, including New York Jets rookie and second-round draft pick Denzel Mims. Also finishing their undergrad degrees this summer were linebackers Terrel Bernard, Bryson Jackson and Michael McNair, safety/linebacker Jalen Pitre and Sneed.
            "It's what it's about. I'm so proud of those guys," Aranda said. "It means a lot when those guys go through that and they come out of it with a perspective of the here and now, but really how to project into the future the kind of person they're going to be."
            Pitre said his goal starting college was to "graduate and be able to hold that paper (diploma)."
            "I haven't officially got to hold the paper yet," he said, "but it feels good to see all that work pay off. Even though it was virtual, it was just great seeing my name at McLane Stadium with my whole degree and everything. It was wonderful."
            Sneed said it didn't hit him until he saw his name on the video screen at McLane Stadium, saying, "Wow, I really graduated!"
            HE'S BAAACK!: After undergoing two knee surgeries and missing all but one game the last two seasons, fourth-year sophomore receiver Gavin Holmes is back on the field this fall and ready to help a deep receiving corps that includes Sneed, Tyquan Thornton, Josh Fleeks and Jared Atkinson.
            "He's going to help a lot," Sneed said of Holmes, who made four starts as a true freshman in 2017, hauling in 13 passes for 166 yards and scoring three touchdowns. "I feel like the knee injury never happened. I'm excited for y'all to see him because he looks healthy and well. Gavin has had a pretty good fall camp so far."
            O-LINE MAKING STRIDES: Aranda has been impressed with the improvement in the offensive line under the direction of veteran assistant coach Joe Wickline.
            "I'm really encouraged by the play of our offensive line, the physicality," Aranda said. "They're showing effective communication and teamwork. Coach Wickline has done a great job there. I think we will go as far as our O-line goes. Our guys know that, and they have a lot of pride in that. They want to get out in front."
            Senior Xavier Newman-Johnson, who has made 19 starts combined at the two guard positions, has been "an emotional leader" in the offensive line. "(It's been a joy) to see him develop his skills every day to become an O-line leader."

ANOTHER MARKER PASSED

Players Mentioned

Jared Atkinson

Terrel Bernard

Josh Fleeks

Gavin Holmes

Bryson Jackson

Michael McNair

Denzel Mims

Xavier Newman-Johnson

Jalen Pitre

Tyquan Thornton

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