Three Takeaways: September 2
9/2/2024 4:12:00 PM | Football
Marshall, Ma'ae making impact on retooled D-line
Baylor Bear Insider Jerry Hill gives his three takeaways from Monday's weekly press conference with head coach Dave Aranda talking about the Bears' 45-3 season-opening win over Tarleton and Saturday's game against No. 12/13 Utah (1-0) , which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT at Rice-Eccles Stadium and will be broadcast nationally by FOX:
- 'WE SEE WHAT HE CAN BE': Making his Baylor debut as QB1, Toledo transfer Dequan Finn was 14-of-22 for 192 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions and also scored on a 39-yard TD run. "The positives that he had were his leadership and his attitude," Aranda said. "I thought his ability to throw when there's pressure in his face was good. We've got to improve when he's got a bunch of time to throw. That, initially, hasn't been the case. That kind of popped up on Saturday night. The best thing about all of it is that he's way determined and way focused. (Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital) and all of them are excited about taking the next step with him. We can see what he can be."
- MAKING IMPACT IN D-LINE: One of the biggest areas of concern coming into the season, the defensive line got immediate impact from starting ends Jackie Marshall and Treven Ma'ae, who combined for nine tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and one QB hurry. "Jackie's really disruptive," Aranda said. "I think his growth has been tremendous in a bunch of areas. He was really, really active and a force inside as much as he was outside." Ma'ae, who transferred from Oregon last year, has "probably grown as a leader as much as anybody on our team," he said. "And then, on the field, I think he's more of himself now. Last year, (he) was trying to fit in, see this and then fit into that. Now, he's just kind of letting it rip. So, more of what we saw on Saturday would be good for us."
- TARGETING TRIGG: After previous stops at USC and Ole Miss, where he hauled in 28 catches for 330 yards and five touchdowns, tight end Michael Trigg is making the most of "probably his last (opportunity)." One of four newcomers to score touchdowns in the opening game, Trigg caught two passes for 33 yards and one TD on three targets. "When I think of Mike, I think of a guy that's just embracing the moment, embracing Baylor, embracing an opportunity," Aranda said. "And then, to embrace differences. If you always went left, to go somewhere where we're always going right . . . to embrace that and change, it's hard to do. We're proud of him for that. In the lead-up to the game, his smile was a mile wide. He probably had the most fun of anyone. That's contagious, and a lot of the guys saw that. I think he's just getting started. He is a weapon."
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