Five Keys to Saturday's Game

Bears need to win battle of trenches on both sides

Football 8/30/2024 6:08:00 PM

BAYLOR vs. TARLETON

PUSH UP FRONT: A revamped offensive line has transfers Sidney Fugar (South Carolina) and Omar Aigbedion (Montana State) as the projected starters at the two guard spots and fourth-year junior Ryan Lengyel expected to get significant minutes for the first time in his career. This will also be the Bears' first game in Jake Spavital's spread offense, which can create gaping running lanes if the offensive line is working the way it should. The Texans' defense gave up 200 yards rushing and 4.3 per attempt in a 26-23 "Zero Week" win over McNeese State. "That group has been the most improved group," Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said. "I think (offensive line coach Mason Miller) brings a real intellect and a purpose into the teaching. And I think they're connecting well with him right now."
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Saturday, August 31, marks the 10^th anniversary of the opening game at McLane Stadium, a 45-0 Baylor victory over SMU. The 10^th-ranked Bears rolled up 574 yards total offense, including 261 on the ground, before a capacity crowd of 45,733 in the new riverfront stadium. BU has a record of 37-25 in the first 10 seasons at McLane Stadium. "There's been some big games in that stadium and a lot of powerful moments for Baylor fans in that stadium. I've been a part of a few, would like to be a part of a lot more," Aranda said. "I feel very purposeful about really starting off fast and having a good game to build it so that we can get those types of games that we're talking abouts, that have been really special in the past in that stadium."
DQ TREATS: After winning a tight QB1 battle with Sawyer Robertson, grad transfer Dequan Finn from Toledo takes the reins for the season opener. A true dual threat, Finn passed for 383 yards and four touchdowns and added 145 yards and two TDs rushing in matchups the previous two seasons against Illinois and Ohio State from the Big Ten. "I'm really not trying to focus on (the transition from the MAC to the Big 12)," Finn said. "I say that because at the end of the day, football is football. I came from a similar offense. So, on a lot of things, it's not like an 'Oh, snap!" moment. It's kind of like, even if I do mess up, I know what I did there and I can correct it the next time. So, I'm not really too fazed by that."
SETTING THE TONE: In the wrong way, last year's 42-31 loss to Texas State set the tone for a disappointing 3-9 season that included just one win in eight games at McLane Stadium. "One of the most important things is just going out there and setting the tone, starting fast," said sixth-year linebacker Matt Jones. "You can't go out there and start slow. You can't give them hope. We've got to put our foot on their throat from the beginning and not give them any chance. We can't let our guard down. Last season, Texas State set the tone, and you see how that went."
SHUT DOWN THE RUN: With starting QB Victor Gabalis expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a thumb injury, the Texans will likely lean even more on a running attack that piled up 195 yards and 4.5 per carry in their season opener. Running back Kayvon Britten has put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and last year at Tarleton and got off to a good start with 164 yards on 25 attempts in the win over McNeese. "I think Tarleton's O-line is probably the best position group on their team," redshirt senior defensive lineman Treven Ma'ae said of a group that returns all five starters. "So, that's a challenge for us. . . . They have some stretch (plays), so really just stopping the run will set up everything else."