Baylor has Kansas State the week after the bye, then plays Oklahoma on November 14th. As a competitor and as an athlete, a leader, a fighter, that’s what you want.
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Russell suffered damage to the cervical vertebra in a win over Iowa State and will require surgery.
“We had an opportunity to pull this game within seven points – a chance to win the game on the road against the second-ranked team in the country”, Rhoads said. However, with Russell out, there is a good chance we see the Bears run the football even more. He broke the news to his teammates in a players-only meeting that afternoon. The offensive linemen believed it was their fault Russell was injured. Baylor center Kyle Fuller expressed confidence that Stidham (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) will shine in that setting. “We’ve got to use that as motivation to do better”. I personally felt like (Russell’s injury) was my fault. “When he talked to us, it really touched my heart”. It’s just a bad feeling because I know how hard he worked. “Like I told him, he had big goals and big plans, and we’re going to go get it for him”.
But it will be a new experience for Stidham, 19, when he takes the field for the first time as a starter knowing he will have significant control over the Bears’ fortunes for four quarters. He played the next week against West Virginia, but did not play last week against Iowa State. Florida State claimed the national title in 2013 with a redshirt freshman.
“I just don’t think we had the energy, I could feel it coming out at halftime, that we had starting the game”.
“They’re insane, just put it like that”, said receiver Corey Coleman, who leads the nation in touchdown catches with 18.
“We know there’s going to be a few mistakes made and it’s kind of a lot for him”, Drango said, “but it’s our job up front and all around to make his job easy”.
Earlier in the day, several Bears lauded Stidham’s play in previous practices and in games when he’s come in for Seth Russell.
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Briles said his prized freshman will be ready because he enrolled in January, took part in spring drills and has played in every game this season.
