Three Takeaways: October 27
10/27/2025 11:55:00 PM | Football
Thompkins was ‘bright spot’ in first-career start at Cincinnati
Director of Sports Journalism Jerry Hill gives his three takeaways from Monday's weekly press conference with head coach Dave Aranda discussing the 41-20 loss at No. 21 Cincinnati and this week's matchup between the Bears (4-4, 2-3) and UCF (4-3, 1-3). Kickoff for Baylor's Homecoming game is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Floyd Casey Stadium and will be broadcast by ESPNU:
- FIRST-TIME STARTER: After making appearances in just six previous games over the last two seasons, redshirt sophomore Sean Thompkins got his first-career start in Saturday's game, replacing Sidney Fugar at left tackle. "First time out there and bullets flying and everything, I thought he was really good," Aranda said. "One of the bright spots, right along with (freshman running back Michael Turner) would be two on offense, particularly. But I thought Sean played really well. Our penalties were way down. It's probably, somewhat, as a result of that move. So, a lot to build off of there."
- FIGHTING THROUGH THE FOG: With the Bears losing two in a row and dropping to 2-3 in conference, Aranda said, "frustration sits in, and then you do even less, which that is an equation that never adds up. I think there's something about us, just the way we're built, that naturally happens. When you lose, frustration sits in, there's a fog. And you end up giving less than your best this time or this practice or this walk-through. You have to be really intentional about fighting through that. We're in that process right now. I feel good about that path."
- GRINCH HAS AN 'ITCHING': First-year UCF defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, a two-time Broyles Award semifinalist in previous stops at Oklahoma and Washington State, "has been kind of really multiple and a lot of line movement and kind of disruptive stuff (in the past)," Aranda said. "They've got a very big and really good front, so he kind of lets them go a little bit more." But with Monday's announcement that Baylor offensive line coach Mason Miller is no longer with the team for personal reasons and replaced by quality control coaches Craig Watts and Austin Woods, "it'll be interesting . . . how much movement and everything we get. I'm sure that's going to spike up a little bit, because (Grinch) always has an itching to do that."
Players Mentioned
Baylor Football: Weekly Press Conference with Dave Aranda | October 27, 2025
Monday, October 27
Baylor Football: Postgame Press Conference at Cincinnati | October 25, 2025
Sunday, October 26
Baylor Football: Condensed Game at Cincinnati | October 25, 2025
Saturday, October 25
Baylor Football: Highlights at Cincinnati | October 25, 2025
Saturday, October 25
