Five Keys to Saturday's Game
9/19/2026 12:18:00 AM | Football
Bears hoping to add more consistency and explosive plays in the run game
BAYLOR vs. LOUISIANA TECH
- NEXT MEN UP: To this point, Baylor's depth has been tested, with Nate Bennett filling in for QB1 DJ Lagway; Jayden McGowan taking up the slack with receiver Jadon Porter out; and Colby McCalister and Micah Gifford stepping up in the safety room. Now, who's the next man up at defensive tackle with Devino Tezino out for the year. "We're certainly going to miss him," head coach Dave Aranda said, "but we've got guys like Slug (Traevon Michell). I think he's a big one. He saw a fair amount of time in the game and really showed himself well. Braylen Jackson is another one that really showed up and was able to make some plays. He's a really physical player, gets good knockback, is improving with the pass rush. But as a defender vs. the run, we feel very comfortable with him."
- ADD THE EXPLOSIVES: The Bears' running game hasn't exactly hit its stride through the first two games, averaging just 3.7 yards per rush. But the biggest thing has been the lack of explosive plays. Quarterback Nate Bennett's 17-yard touchdown run against Prairie View is actually the longest of the year. "We just have to be consistent," Aranda said. "This offense right now, there's some big-play capability if we can get in a good rhythm. But it's a 12-play, 15-play, 17-play outfit, and we can't afford to go backwards when we're trying to go forwards."
- LIMIT THE MISTAKES: The Bears were flagged nine times for 85 yards in the win over Prairie View, but it was a particularly tough day for right guard Asher Hale. He had four false starts and one holding penalty, accounting for 30 yards in losses. "We told him to shrug it off, it's just a play," senior left tackle Kaden Sieracki said of Hale, a transfer from South Alabama. "Each play has a life of its own, but once it's gone it's gone. You can't change it. You're going to have to live with those plays forever, but you've got to learn from it and move on."
- BATTLE OF THE BACKUPS: While Bennett is making his second-consecutive start with DJ Lagway sidelined with an ankle injury, the Bulldogs will go with Trey Kukuk after QB1 Blake Baker suffered a hand injury in their 45-14 loss to LSU. "(Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital) was singing his praises all throughout the week," Aranda said of Bennett, who was 23-of-35 for 301 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. "I thought that his preparation put him in a position to play fast and play free, which I thought he did. I didn't see a lot of double guessing out there. I think there's a couple plays he'd like to take back, but from where he's been and what he's had to overcome and the hurdles that he's had to go through, it's really cool to see him have this moment."
- GO GOLD: Bringing the Gold Rush T-shirts back that were introduced in 2001, the hope for Saturday is the crowd at McLane Stadium will be a sea of gold. As fans, grab your gold shirts and pack the place. Yes, it will be hot for the 3 p.m. kickoff, but the gold won't soak up the sun the way black shirts do.
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