Five Keys to Saturday’s Game
9/24/2021 10:09:00 AM | Football
Control the Edges on Defense, Play Clean on Offense
BAYLOR vs. #14 IOWA STATE:
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
1.GOLD IT OUT: Fans are encouraged to wear gold to the game, hopefully creating an intimidating sea of gold as a greeting for the visiting Cyclones. "One thing that's very apparent just this early into the season is home-field advantage is back to being an advantage," Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said. "I'm looking forward to taking advantage of it. I know our staff and our players are excited about that as well."
2.CONTAIN THE EDGES: Whether it's keeping Brock Purdy in the pocket or making Breece Hall turn it inside, the defense needs to contain the edges and not let anything get outside. Purdy, in particular, has a knack for buying some time with his scrambles and finding receivers open downfield. "When things are not there, he's able to maneuver in the pocket, and receivers are maybe running a shallow or dig route, and they see it and dart off," Aranda said. "He's able to capture them with linebackers and underneath defenders looking at the QB, and then they're not matched on the tight ends or receivers. That has been a calling card for him."
3.RESPOND TO ADVERSITY: Through the first three weeks, Baylor has trailed for just six minutes total (out of 180), answering a Texas State touchdown with a 75-yard drive and Abram Smith touchdown right before the half. Chances are, the Bears could find themselves trailing a talented Iowa State team. They have to be able to answer, much like they did against Kansas, when the defense forced two-straight three-and-outs and the offense scored twice in the first six minutes of the second half.
4.PLAY WITHIN THE SCHEME: Instead of branching off and kind of "doing your own thing," all 11 defenders need to work together and "just do your job, let the play come to you," Aranda said. "On defense, there's an element of, 'I can do this myself. I've done it before.' It's softening up some of those harder edges and getting to where you're playing within the scheme and not trying to do too much.. . . I think a big factor this week is how we play the game within the game of alignment, assignment and technique."
5.PROTECT THE BALL: Until last week, Baylor had only turned it over once. Two fumbles slowed the momentum against Kansas and kept the Bears from stretching it out even earlier. In Iowa State's one loss (27-17 to Iowa), Purdy threw three picks and Hall had a fumble, leading to 20 of the Hawkeyes' 27 points. "The ability to not turn the ball over is, I think, critical," Aranda said. "No penalties, no turnovers, don't beat yourself. When I think of that, I think of Iowa State. I know they had a game two weeks ago where they were fighting it some, too, but the ability to play clean is one of the things that I totally respect about Iowa State."
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
1.GOLD IT OUT: Fans are encouraged to wear gold to the game, hopefully creating an intimidating sea of gold as a greeting for the visiting Cyclones. "One thing that's very apparent just this early into the season is home-field advantage is back to being an advantage," Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said. "I'm looking forward to taking advantage of it. I know our staff and our players are excited about that as well."
2.CONTAIN THE EDGES: Whether it's keeping Brock Purdy in the pocket or making Breece Hall turn it inside, the defense needs to contain the edges and not let anything get outside. Purdy, in particular, has a knack for buying some time with his scrambles and finding receivers open downfield. "When things are not there, he's able to maneuver in the pocket, and receivers are maybe running a shallow or dig route, and they see it and dart off," Aranda said. "He's able to capture them with linebackers and underneath defenders looking at the QB, and then they're not matched on the tight ends or receivers. That has been a calling card for him."
3.RESPOND TO ADVERSITY: Through the first three weeks, Baylor has trailed for just six minutes total (out of 180), answering a Texas State touchdown with a 75-yard drive and Abram Smith touchdown right before the half. Chances are, the Bears could find themselves trailing a talented Iowa State team. They have to be able to answer, much like they did against Kansas, when the defense forced two-straight three-and-outs and the offense scored twice in the first six minutes of the second half.
4.PLAY WITHIN THE SCHEME: Instead of branching off and kind of "doing your own thing," all 11 defenders need to work together and "just do your job, let the play come to you," Aranda said. "On defense, there's an element of, 'I can do this myself. I've done it before.' It's softening up some of those harder edges and getting to where you're playing within the scheme and not trying to do too much.. . . I think a big factor this week is how we play the game within the game of alignment, assignment and technique."
5.PROTECT THE BALL: Until last week, Baylor had only turned it over once. Two fumbles slowed the momentum against Kansas and kept the Bears from stretching it out even earlier. In Iowa State's one loss (27-17 to Iowa), Purdy threw three picks and Hall had a fumble, leading to 20 of the Hawkeyes' 27 points. "The ability to not turn the ball over is, I think, critical," Aranda said. "No penalties, no turnovers, don't beat yourself. When I think of that, I think of Iowa State. I know they had a game two weeks ago where they were fighting it some, too, but the ability to play clean is one of the things that I totally respect about Iowa State."
Players Mentioned
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