By Jeffrey Cohen | Sports Editor
Baylor traveled 828 miles to face Auburn in the season opener in Atlanta, while the Tigers traveled 110.
The Bears played in front of a sea of blue and orange, erupting when they fell just short of winning a slugfest in week one.
“We played a really physical, complete game from the first quarter to the fourth quarter,” senior tight end Hawkins Polley said. “It’s not just a one-time thing. I think we all feel like we can continue to do that the rest of the season and improve on that.”
Baylor (0-1) heads back home to McLane Stadium to face off against Prairie View A&M (1-1, 1-0 SWAC), and it hopes to show out in its first home game of the season.
The Bears are scavenging for a victory. They are on the heels of a four-game losing streak, going back to their 55-28 loss to Utah last November.
They also want to win for the Baylor faithful. Baylor football and the athletics department have taken the fans to heart in the last year under Athletic Director Doug McNamee. The Bears now have an opportunity to bring some energy back into a fanbase that is searching for hope.
“We have to win,” head coach Dave Aranda said. “I’d say that No. 1 is to get people excited. I think there’s enough film, or the views of, like, ‘Hey, these guys are maybe different. Maybe these guys can do something.'”
The players appreciate playing in front of a crowd of green and gold. They are ready to see the Baylor community cheer them on after playing against an Auburn-heavy crowd in Atlanta.
“We take pride in playing in McLane,” Polley said. “We want to win in McLane, win in front of our students, our families … It’s just awesome whenever you get to play in McLane. It feels like home.”
The Bears still need to show up for all 60 minutes against Prairie View A&M. An underdog taking advantage of their opponent coming off a major game is not unheard of. Aranda looked to some of the biggest upsets over the past 20 years, including Appalachian State’s 2007 win over Michigan and UMass’ win over Rutgers last Thursday.
Aranda and his team are imperative that they will not slip against the Panthers.
“I’m very invigorated to fight that,” Aranda said. “This opponent is a nameless face opponent. Our standard is the standard regardless of who we play. That will be the fight. I’m fired up to fight it.”
Prairie View A&M is not easy for an FCS opponent. The Panthers already have two games under their belt, dominating rival Texas Southern 52-14 in week one. Their coaches know how to confuse opponents with their playcalling.
“They have a good system, and when they get guys open, they’re open, open,” Aranda said. “They do a great job of identifying how stuff is put together and attacking the weakness of it … They put you in conflict.”
The team plays a fast-paced brand of football. Quarterback Tevin Carter threw for 217 yards and four touchdowns while seven receivers made multiple catches against Texas Southern.
“They’ve got a bunch of athletes on that team,” fifth-year cornerback Reggie Bush II. “We’re just trying to keep our focus on keeping our eyes right, playing how we’re supposed to play, making no mistakes, and just being 1-0.”
Baylor enters week two banged up from the season opener. Junior quarterback DJ Lagway, fifth-year offensive lineman Kaden Sieracki, junior offensive lineman Koltin Sieracki and junior wide receiver Jadon Porter are day-to-day. Senior safety Jacob Redding also tore his ACL before week one.
While the injuries hinder the team physically, the Bears’ resilience has also fired them up.
“It just showed his heart,” junior offensive lineman Nate Kibble said. “He tells us before the game, ‘I’m willing to go out there and die for you guys.’ So, it makes us want to do the same thing.”
Baylor faces off against Prairie View A&M at 7 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium.
