Five Keys to Saturday's Game

In matchup of high-profile QBs, Sawyer just needs to be Sawyer

Football 9/19/2025 6:19:00 PM

BAYLOR (2-1) vs. ARIZONA STATE (2-1)
6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at McLane Stadium (FOX)

BOTTLE HIM UP: While ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt hasn't been as impressive throwing the ball as he was last year, completing just 58.1% of his passes and throwing for 527 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions. But he's the Sun Devils' No. 2 running threat, rushing for 157 yards and three TDs and averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. "We've played some quarterbacks that are dangerous scrambling," Baylor coach Dave Aranda said of Auburn's Jackson Arnold and SMU's Kevin Jennings. "And he's right up there, if not the No. 1 guy of all of them. He's very fast. And when he decides to cut it loose, he can make good plays both throwing it on the run and running it, for sure."
DON'T LET 'EM BULLY YOU: Particularly in both the offensive and defensive line, "they play a brand of ball that bullies you. And if you let yourself be bullied, they'll take it." The Bears have struggled up front, not being able to establish any kind of consistent rushing attack on offense and none of the team's five QB sacks on defense coming from down linemen. "We all really have tock in and play to the best of our ability," said senior Omar Aigbedion, who has made 16 consecutive starts at right guard. "Coach Aranda talks a lot about our best players playing their best when it matters. And on the line of scrimmage, we have to do that when it matters."
START FAST: In the season-opening 38-24 loss to Auburn, the Bears were down 17-3 early in the second quarter and were never able to catch up. The next week, SMU jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first eight minutes, and it could have been worse. The Bears did rally to tie it early in the third quarter but never led until a Bryson Washington touchdown run in the first overtime of a 48-45, double-overtime win. Against a dynamic offensive team like Arizona State, you can't afford to dig yourself an early hole.
NEED SAWYER TO BE SAWYER: After throwing for 859 yards and seven touchdowns with no picks in the first two weeks, Baylor redshirt senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson looked downright human against Samford. He was solid enough in the first half, throwing for 154 yards and two touchdowns, but he suffered his first two interceptions and had to play into the fourth quarter to get his third TD pass. "With Sawyer, it's going to be, how can I get better? How can I take the next step? How can I help the team win?" Aranda said. "I very much believe that with him. I think he's very in tuned in terms of this is a week to improve. This is an opportunity not to be missed. And he's leading us into that. I would bet on Sawyer."
GET ROWDY: This is a huge chance for the fans to actually make a difference in the game. Arizona State is walking into McLane Stadium with a bit of a swagger, winning the Big 12 in its first year in the league and taking Texas down to the wire in the CFP quarterfinals. In a toss-up game, a rowdy crowd can make the difference. It might be just one or two extra penalties, or maybe it's Leavitt not being able to call out the play at the line. Play your part. As men's basketball coach Scott Drew says, "You can watch a game, or you can impact a game." So, why not, go out there and have an impact.