Three Takeaways: November 10
11/10/2025 8:52:00 PM | Football
Aranda says Mackey Award semifinalist Trigg is one of one
Director of Sports Journalism Jerry Hill gives his three takeaways from Monday's weekly press conference with head coach Dave Aranda discussing the bye week following a 30-3 win over UCF and this week's matchup between the Bears (5-4, 3-3) and the 15th-ranked Utah Utes (7-2, 4-2). Kickoff for Baylor's Salute to Service game is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium and will be broadcast by ESPN2:
- ONE OF ONE: Tight end Michael Trigg, a Mackey Award semifinalist who was added to the Biletnikoff Award list this week, is a "matchup problem" for defenses, hauling in 40 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns. The best comparison, Aranda said, is Atlanta Falcons tight end and former Florida All-American Kyle Pitts, who caught five passes for 108 yards in eventual national champion LSU's 42-28 win over the Gators in 2019. "That guy (Pitts) was kind of moved out; he was the X (receiver)," said Aranda, LSU's defensive coordinator that season. "Trigg can be that, he can be inside, he can block. He can do all the things that a normal Y would do. But, for sure, he can really excel as a U. He can do all that. So, the whole collective, he's the only one."
- BY JOVE, I THINK THEY'VE GOT IT: With a tip of the hat to Professor Henry Higgins from "My Fair Lady," that was basically Aranda's sentiment when his Baylor defense allowed just 74 yards rushing (on 23 attempts) to a UCF team that had averaged over 200 yards rushing per game. "After you draw stuff and walk through stuff and talk through stuff, the hope is that it's finally going to sink in at some point," Aranda said. "It was good to see it (against UCF). Guys were playing fast; guys were playing free. And we're going to need that in this one. I think what we saw with UCF is very challenging on angles and plus-one run game. And it's kind of a prelude to what's coming here with Utah. They're very creative. There's not a lot of teams that have their run game. They might be one of one. Teams have struggled with it. We've been given an extra week to get ready for it, so that needs to pay dividends here."
- GOOD STORIES TO TELL: Already credited with inspirational speeches before Baylor's road win last year at Texas Tech and the Bears' Homecoming win over UCF two weeks ago, redshirt junior safety Michael Allen "is going to have some good stories when he's coaching, about his playing days and what he's been able to persevere," Aranda said. "We're blessed to have Mike. I think Mike's got such a good feel for the team. Mike's heart is solid gold. He's going to be a great (coach)." During Baylor's bye week, Allen, quarterback Sawyer Robertson and tight end Matthew Klopfenstein baptized 10 of their teammates last Wednesday – quarterbacks Nate Bennett and Cade Tessler, wide receivers Jackson Baird, Brody Day and Seth Weller, offensive lineman Coleton Price, defensive lineman Alessandro Lorenzetti and defensive backs Carl Williams IV, MJ Artmore and Kris Wokomah. "That (bible study) is just taking off. It's one of the things I'm most proud about is, there are guys that have not been a part of that, that have now been part of it here in the last few weeks. And a few of them got baptized. To see the guys and to see how close they are, that's just way cool."
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/ FootballBaylor Football: Weekly Press Conference with Dave Aranda | November 10, 2025
Monday, November 10
Baylor Football: Cinematic Recap vs. UCF
Wednesday, November 05
WIN CAM: Post Game Reactions vs UCF
Sunday, November 02
Sawyer Robertson's 3-Touchdown Day
Saturday, November 01
