FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
            Redshirting during the 2019 football season, All-Big 12 safety Jalen Pitre didn't play in the Big 12 Championship game against Oklahoma, relegated to sending in the defensive signals from the sidelines.
            "I was in the action and saw what the guys were doing," said Pitre, who's had a league-leading 15.5 tackles for loss this season, "so I'm ready for the experience.
            "We're thankful that God gave us the opportunity to go out there and play in that game again. We understand what it takes. We're trying to put in the work in practice, and we've got to execute on Saturday. We're going out there with the hope to play as fast as we can and come out with the win."
            Grad transfer Drew Estrada will also make his Big 12 Championship debut when the ninth-ranked Bears (10-2, 7-2) play No. 5 Oklahoma State (11-1, 8-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
            "After the season we had last year, I don't think a lot of outsiders expected us to have the season we are now," said Estrada, a second-team All-Ivy League pick as a receiver and kick returner at Dartmouth. "I didn't know, to the extent that we would be 10-2 right now. But, when I got here, I saw the talent and work ethic. And with the new (offensive) staff coming in, I knew there was a different mindset going on, and everyone was moving in the right direction."
            Make them one-dimensional: In the Cowboys' 24-14 win over Baylor two months ago in Stillwater, Jaylen Warren rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries, Spencer Sanders passed for 182 yards and one TD and receiver Tay Martin had a big day with six catches for 110 yards.
            Pitre said the key is "stopping the run, imposing our will." While the Bears allowed a season-high 219 yards rushing in that game, they've given up an average of just 94.3 yards rushing in the seven games since then.
            "Understanding that if you do that, it makes the offense one-dimensional and makes them want to pass," Pitre said. "If we stop the run, it can be hard for that offense to get rolling. With that, we understand that we've got to make plays when the ball is in the air."
            One big difference in Baylor's run defense this time is having senior linebacker Terrel Bernard back on the field. The Bears gave up back-to-back 200-yard rushing games against Iowa State and OSU, with Bernard sidelined with a knee injury for the second half against the Cyclones and the entire game in Stillwater.
            "Just having him there makes a lot of guys more calm on the field," Pitre said of Bernard, "understanding that he is going to make the play when it comes to him and you don't have to do more outside of your role. Just having him out there makes you more confident and allows you to play a lot freer, because you know he has your back, if needed."
            RVO is a mindset: RVO, the "Reliable Violent Offense" that first-year offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes brought with him from BYU, isn't just a philosophy or scheme. It's also a mindset.
            "He brought in a new mindset, and we've just taken that and ran with it," Estrada said. "He really preaches that. We have to practice well to play well every game. You can't just show up on Saturday and get it done. We have to practice really hard, and then the game will be easier. . . . He really cares for his players, and that's why we follow him and back him."
            Grimes is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, which honors the nation's outstanding assistant coach, along with Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
            Cowboy fan for a day: Needing Oklahoma State to knock off 10^th-ranked Oklahoma in Saturday night's Bedlam rivalry game in Stillwater, Baylor running back/kick returner Trestan Ebner said he was wearing his orange hoodie. President Linda Livingstone, an OSU alum, and her whole family were decked out in OSU gear.
            Admitting that he was an Okie State fan that night, Pitre said he also scouted the Cowboys while watching the game, "seeing what they liked to do against certain coverages and schemes."
            "It was definitely on both sides, a Baylor Bear and OK State at the same time. So, it was good to see them come out with a win," Pitre said.
            But, "whatever that time was when the game was over," Estrada said, "we obviously switched back."
            "I was a big Oklahoma State fan for a little bit, maybe four hours," he said. "But, when the game was over, it was back to Baylor and trying to beat those games."

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Players Mentioned

Terrel Bernard

Trestan Ebner

Drew Estrada

Jalen Pitre

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