By Peyton Dorsey | Sports Writer
Interim head coach Joe Klanderman led the Bears to a 41-9 win over the upset-minded UCF Knights a week ago, quieting the typically boisterous Bounce House for his first win at the helm.
Klanderman gave the offensive line a noticeable boost on the road, leading the offense to tally 503 total yards and play free on the ground and through the air.
“He’s done a good job of instilling some confidence in these guys,” offensive line coach Austin Woods said. “They went out and played more confident and fast and aggressive. You can be a good offense when you do that.”
Klanderman continues to build his team up as Baylor (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) will face off against Iowa State (4-4, 2-3 Big 12), who is also coming off an upset.
As Klanderman settles into his new role and this added responsibility, he’s made it a priority to show up for his players and continue to encourage them. Junior offensive lineman Koltin Sieracki highlights the motivation he and other offensive linemen have received from the interim head coach and defensive coordinator.
“He wants us to play as free as we can,” Sieracki said. “He’s encouraging us to go out there and put our head down and give it all we got every single play.”
Klanderman said he’s one of the first ones to hype up the offensive line for even 2 or 3-yard runs, resetting their mindset after weeks of failing to meet expectations.
The Bears enter a game cycle with more normalcy, stepping past a short last week. The mentality of the team and the energy they display are highlights in Klanderman’s new mission as interim head coach.
“There’s a lot of fight in this football team,” Klanderman said. “The players are such good individuals and such good human beings.”
Klanderman is still taking a fresh approach and leaning into the team’s head space despite coming off a dominating victory.
“Every week has a history of its own,” Klanderman said. “I think the mentality of this team is in a different place right now.”
Klanderman’s role as defensive coordinator has not been dropped from his plate since filling in for Dave Aranda after his departure from the team last Sunday. He is still paying close attention to the defense and the supply of players at his disposal.
“We’ve got smart, physical, athletic players, the total package of really good football players at linebacker and safety,” Klanderman said. “The defense is built very similar to how I would want it. I don’t think there’s much that I would change if I could take a lump of clay and mold it.”
The Cyclones’ arrival in Waco will be coming from their upset over then-No. 24 Oklahoma State, raising concerns about whether they may be more dangerous than their .500 record suggests. Klanderman combats these worries with a direct focus on the Bears and deep trust in their performance.
“I’m never concerned about the state of the other team. I’m only concerned about the state of our team,” Klanderman said. “Maybe they’ll come in here and spit tacks, or maybe they’ll come in here super flat. Either way, they’re going to get our best.”
The Bears will face off against the Iowa State Cyclones at 11 a.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium.
