Ganaway attributes success to all but himself

No. 24 running back Terrance Ganaway runs through a Texas Tech defender on Saturday at the Cowboys Stadium. Baylor beat Texas Tech 66-42, largely due to Ganaway’s school-record 42 carries.
Meagan Downing | Lariat Photographer

By Krista Pirtle
Sports Writer

What Baylor YouTube clip has more than 50,000 views and showcases a Big 12 rival at its finest moment?

The 2010 Texas Tech onside kick that did not go how the Red Raiders expected it.

As three Raiders stood around a wobbly football, then-junior back-up running back Terrance Ganaway stealthily grabbed the ball and ran it 38 yards for a touchdown.

This season, with 2010’s leading rusher Jay Finley in the NFL, Ganaway is going to work, accumulating 1,195 rush yards thus far.

“God has given me the ability to play football so I just try to play to the fullest every day,” Ganaway said.

That ability is something that Baylor head coach Art Briles said he noticed and rewarded with the starting position this season.

“Talent’s never been an issue with Terrance; it’s been mental structure,” Briles said. “That’s something that I’ve seen through the years when guys become seniors. They get a better vision of what needs to happen and how it needs to get there. He did a great job of living up to what he should be.”

Ganaway received the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award after his dominance on the gridiron last weekend against Texas Tech.

His 34 carries were a school record, and his 246 total yards were four shy of the school record by Finley but were a personal best.

He was also responsible for 16 of the school record 38 first downs the Bears earned.

“Our offensive line was just dominating,” Briles said. “They did a tremendous job up front. Ganaway was just extremely tough. There’s not many 242-pound backs in the nation that have the agility and speed that Ganaway has. So we understand that he’s a special back.”

Ganaway said his achievements are not his alone but are a huge testament to the hard work of the five men in front of him.

“Never would I have thought that we would have that many rushes in a game with Art Briles’ offense,” Ganaway said. “The offensive line played really well today. It was a great moment for our team and I am just glad that we got the victory.”

Briles refers to that type of attitude as “big we, little me.”

“If you know Terrance as a person, you appreciate him as a man,” Briles said. “He’s just a unique, giving personality. He’s just a good, good guy. He’s got good intentions. You’re talking to a guy who’s already graduated and taking care of business. His business right now is being a tough physical player for Baylor University. That’s his job.”

Ganaway has focused on the game and excelled for the season.

His 246-yard rush game last weekend was his second of 200 yards or more on the season.

He rushed for 200 against Iowa State, making him the first player in Baylor history to record 200 rush yards in multiple games in a season.

He is also responsible for two of the six 200-yard rushing games Baylor has ever had.

With these numbers booked and records broken and his status as a senior, Ganaway has become a leader for this team.

“He’s a great teammate, he’s positive and he tries to keep everybody working hard at all times,” senior receiver Kendall Wright said. “He’s like a different Robert Griffin. He doesn’t have the same skills as Griff, but he works hard. They’re kind of like the same person. He’s very important.”

Ganaway said he realizes how precious this time is.

“The most powerful thing Coach Kaz [Kazadi] told us after we got back from Oklahoma State, we got five weeks left [as] seniors,” Ganaway said. “Now I’m trying to savor these last few weeks because then it’s over. You’re never around a team like this again that come together for a common goal and to play football.”

But looking back on his years at Baylor, Ganaway said the game he loves will be overshadowed by those that stood by his side.

“Guys right here on this team that plays so hard and practices hard and believes in you when everyone else doubts you,” Ganaway said. “These guys have been with me through the fire and that’s what I appreciate. You know I appreciate guys that care about you as a person as a teammate.”

Ganaway will run out of the tunnel at Floyd Casey Stadium for the last time with his teammates at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon against Texas.