Five Keys to Saturday's Game

BAYLOR (3-2, 1-1) vs. KANSAS STATE (2-3, 1-1)
11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at McLane Stadium (ESPN+)

MAKE IT HOME: In Baylor's three Big 12 championship seasons, the Bears were a combined 20-0 at home. This year, their two losses are in the friendly confines of McLane Stadium, while BU has won six-straight road games. The emphasis this week has been "just bringing the energy back to McLane," senior wide receiver Josh Cameron said of the "Go Gold" game against K-State. "We're handling our business on the road, but it's about executing, being physical and just taking care of business at home. That's what fans want to see. This is our home territory. The focus is taking it one game at a time, but specifically to get this (win) at home."
START FAST: Sounds like a cliché, or maybe a broken record, but one of the biggest keys in Baylor's wins this season has been getting off to fast starts. Conversely, the common denominator in the losses has been getting off to slow starts and trying to climb out of a hole for the rest of the game. Put the pressure on a K-State team that is not built to play from behind. "We need to put the offense in great field position," safety Micah Gifford said, "and then they need to go out and score. We haven't been able to repeat that and keep the momentum on our side. I feel like once we're able to do that is when we're going to really steamroll people and show the world Baylor football."
STOP AVERY: Easier said than done, but you can't let Avery Johnson get going in the running game. The Bears have struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks, giving up 137 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries to Auburn's Jackson Arnold and another 62 yards and one TD to Arizona State's Sam Leavitt. "I think it was intentional," Baylor coach Dave Aranda said of the Wildcats taking the reins off and running Johnson in last Saturday's 34-20 win over UCF. "I think there was probably some intentional play prior to that of keeping the quarterback out of the fray and be a passer. I think it was, 'Hey, we've got this guy, he's really fast, we're going to run him.' I think they were looking for a spark, and they were able to get that in the running game."
WIN SPECIAL TEAMS: In a coin-flip matchup like this, special teams are usually the deciding factor. Historically, going back to Bill Snyder's teams, K-State has always been strong in this area. And this year is no different. Luis Rodriguez is perfect on field goals (6-for-6) and extra points (15-of-15); punter Simon McClannan is averaging 45.1 yards per kick; and kick returner Bryce Noernberg has a 99-yard return to his credit and ranks seventh nationally with a 32.2-yard average. Baylor, of course, has weapons of its own. Palmer Williams would rank third nationally with a 49.2-yard average if he had enough punts to qualify; punt returner Josh Cameron is a returning All-American; kick returner Kole Wilson is a threat to take it all the way every time; and Connor Hawkins is 24-for-24 on extra points and 5-of-6 on field goals with a long of 53.
PLAY FOR EACH OTHER: Coming off a tough game against Arizona State, Cameron bounced back with six catches for 98 yards in the win over Oklahoma State. But it was his impassioned pregame speech that motivated the Bears. "My message was explaining the different whys you have," he said. "Like, what is your why? And really, I was giving my why. I do this for God. I do this for my mom, who was pronounced dead for 19 minutes, but still came back for me and my brother and our whole family. I stressed that each one of you guys has a why. So, remember that, and truly play for each other. That's literally what brotherhood is, playing for the brother next to you."

Five Keys to Saturday's Game

Players Mentioned

Josh Cameron

Micah Gifford

Connor Hawkins

Palmer Williams

Kole Wilson

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Five Keys to Saturday's Game

Players Mentioned

Josh Cameron

Micah Gifford

Connor Hawkins

Palmer Williams

Kole Wilson

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