Aug. 15, 2007

WACO, Texas -- Some cloud cover and a steady breeze allowed temperatures to dip into the lower 90s, but it was still a hot one on practice fields Wednesday evening for Baylor. The Bears have only four practices remaining before fall semester classes begin Monday.

Sophomore quarterback Blake Szymanski remained sidelined, but he did go through some light passing drills after practice. Head coach Guy Morriss said he is happy with Szymanski's progress.

"Blake is starting to push off his back foot better," Morriss said. "We might let him do some seven-on-seven drills tomorrow, but we don't want to rush him. We'll just see how he's doing. But right now he's on schedule and looks like he's coming along well."

In Szymanski's absence, senior Michael Machen and redshirt freshman Tyler Beatty got the majority of the reps under center. Morriss was pleased with both, especially Beatty.

"Tyler looked pretty solid," Morriss said. "He throws a missile; you better be ready when you come out of the break. We had some drops tonight from guys who usually don't do that."

Morriss also moved several offensive linemen around during the practice but said the starting five remains intact.

"We're just moving them around a little so they can have a taste of the other spots," Morriss said. "If we have to shuffle things around down the road, they'll have some experience at different positions. You never know when the (injury) bug is going to hit."

Baylor has its final two-practice day Thursday, going at 9:30 a.m. CDT and again at 6 p.m.