Football Completes Annual #SpringBU Scrimmage

Football 4/2/2016 12:00:00 AM

Photo Gallery | Fans Enjoy Scrimmage

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Foundation

While the Baylor offense had another scrimmage short on fireworks and explosive plays, sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham's not concerned.

"Over the last five years, we've had the best offense in the country, and I don't think that's going to change any time soon," said Stidham, who was 21-of-27 for 176 yards passing and also scored on a six-yard run. "That's just part of the spring - getting better, going through the bumps and bruises, guys stepping into new roles. Once we come into fall camp, our coaches will do a great job preparing those guys."

After the "Friday Night Lights" event was rained out two weeks ago, the Bears went back to McLane Stadium Saturday afternoon for the final spring scrimmage and got in 117 plays in about 90 minutes.

"I appreciate all the fans coming out," head coach Art Briles said. "I think our marketing people did a great job. We had a lot of people here. It was a great day. The kids did well. They practiced four times this week, so they were a little dead-legged today, both sides. That's why we kept it a little bit short."

With senior quarterback Seth Russell out with a strained pectoral muscle, Stidham led the first-team offense on three scoring drives. Chris Callahan connected on field goals of 27 and 42 yards, the first one coming after Stidham's 30-yard pass to KD Cannon.

"Last spring, I had no idea what was going on," Stidham said. "Now, I understand every in and out of this offense; it's like second nature to me now. . . . Anytime you get an opportunity to play with (the first-team offense), you've got to take advantage of it. It was good to go with those guys a good chuck of the spring."

Briles said Russell's injury had nothing to do with the neck surgery he had in the fall and should be back by this summer.

"It really happened as soon as he came out (this spring)," Briles said. "We started him a little too fast. Of course, he was very eager, and he just came out and did too much too early and strained his pec. . . . It's just a deal where he's got to rest and heal. It's got nothing to do with the neck issue."

The already thin offensive line took a couple more hits Saturday, with sophomore Josh Pelzel going down with an apparent knee injury and junior tackle Ishmael Wilson re-aggravating an ankle injury that's bothered him since the first day of spring training.

"We've got a few young faces across the board," Briles said. "We lost two productive receivers, and the quarterback situation has been kind of a revolving door. It's all about consistency and guys knowing what they're going to do before they do it."

Pelzel actually got hurt on the play before the second-team offense scored the first touchdown of the day. Freshman quarterback Zach Smith, who was 11-of-24 for 106 yards, hooked up with running back JaMycal Hasty for a 27-yard TD pass over the middle.

Hasty, taking advantage of his opportunity while Shock Linwood and Devin Chafin are both out, had a nice day with 68 yards on 13 carries to go with his only catch.

"I hate it that we don't have those guys right now," Hasty said. "I got a lot more reps due to the injuries and things of that nature. It's unfortunate I got the reps I did, but I have to take advantage of them."

The Bears did have some success running the ball, with Terence Williams adding 48 yards on 10 carries and Johnny Jefferson picking up 37 yards on 10 totes. But the inexperienced offensive line struggled in pass protection, giving up 12 sacks.

Defensive ends Brian Nance and Greg Roberts and linebacker Aiavion Edwards led the way with two sacks apiece, while Edwards, redshirt freshman linebacker Clay Johnston and junior safety Davion Hall each had 10 tackles.

The defense employed a lot of 3-4 looks, with Raaquan Davis joining Edwards, Taylor Young and Travon Blanchard as a fourth linebacker.

"It's kind of what we've evolved into over the last couple of years," Briles said. "In this league, it's a speed league all the way. And it fits our personnel better. It's hard to find those interior guys defensively. And if you find them, they leave after three years. Those guys are just hard to come by. We've got some guys that really move around. Honestly, I think it's going to be the fastest defense we've had since we've been here."

Ishmael Zamora led the receiving corps with seven catches for 43 yards, while Blake Lynch had six for 45, Cannon four for 53 and Chris Platt four for 40.

Zamora caught three passes for 19 yards on the final scoring drive of the day, setting up the six-yard QB keeper by Stidham.

After going through their third and final scrimmage, Baylor will cap off its 15-workout spring training with a practice Tuesday afternoon. Coming off their fourth 10-win season in the last five years and sixth straight bowl game, the Bears will open the 2016 season with a home game against Northwestern (La.) State on Sept. 3.

"We'll be a different football team, and I like this football team," Briles said. "We're going to have to think differently, play differently. Where we've been kind of an intimidating force the last couple years physically with some guys, we're not that way now, especially up front. Now, we're going to have to be a more disciplined, determined, desperate football team. The key word there is desperate. And that's what I want to be, I want to be a desperate team."

SCORING PLAYS:
Callahan 27 field goal
Hasty 27 pass from Smith (Callahan kick)
Callahan 42 field goal
Stidham 6 run (Callahan kick)

PASSING (Cmp-Att-Yds-TD-Int)
Jarrett Stidham 21-27-176-0-0; Zach Smith 11-24-106-1-1; Zack Bennema 2-5-8-0-0.

RUSHING (Att-Yds)
JaMycal Hasty 13-68; Jarrett Stidham 11-(-7) TD; Terence Williams 10-48; Johnny Jefferson 10-37; Zach Smith 9-(-16); Dwyer Bucey 6-1; Zack Bennema 2-(-2).

RECEIVING (Rec-Yds)
Ishmael Zamora 7-43; Blake Lynch 6-45; KD Cannon 4-53; Chris Platt 4-40; Pooh Stricklin 3-26; Terence Williams 2-20; Cole Edmiston 2-13; Lynx Hawthorne 2-11; JaMycal Hasty 1-27 TD; Trevor White 1-4; Marques Jones 1-4; Jordan Feuerbacher 1-4.