Gameday Thread: Baylor vs. Iowa State

BAYLOR (1-9) vs. Iowa State (4-5)

McLane Stadium | 1:30 p.m. CT | Fox Sports

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Baylor seniors look for final home victory

A total of 16 seniors, including 12 on scholarship, will play their final career game at McLane Stadium on Saturday against Iowa State. The group has seen the highs including Big 12 Championships in 2013 and 2014 and has seen the lows of the last two seasons.

It is a group that Matt Rhule has consistently given his praise to for their hard work and dedication to leading the way to a new era of Baylor football.

Jordan Feuerbacher (TE)
12 rec, 169 yds, 3 TDs

Davion Hall (S)
104 tk, 1 INTs, 3 PDs, 287 rec yds

Brian Nance (DE)
38 tk, 11.5 TFLs, 4 sk

Mo Porter (OT)

Tyrae Simmons (OG)

Taion Sells (S)
73 tk, 3.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, 6 PDs

KJ Smith (DE)
138 tk, 26.5 TFLs, 12 sk, 3 FFs

Ish Wainright (TE)
1 rec, 9 yds, 1 TD

Quan Jones (WR)
11 rec, 110 yds

Chance Waz (S)
146 tk, 6 PDs, 1 FR

Taylor Young (LB)
324 tk, 38.5 TFLs, 14.5 sk, 6 PDs

Daniel Russell (OL)

Blake Murphy (WR)

Tyler Jaynes (WR) - Placed on scholarship as junior

Iain Hunter (LB)

Jonathan Hockman (RB)

SIDENOTE STORYLINE

Bears look to build off of solid offensive, defensive performances

In games against Kansas and Texas Tech, Baylor's performances on both sides of the ball have been two of their best performances statistically of the entire season. The Bears only found victory against Kansas, but the growth on both sides has been easily noticed.

In the two games the Bears have averaged 489 yards of total offense, controlled the clock for 69:56 of 120 minutes, and converted on 51.4 percent (18 of 35) third downs. Defensively the Bears held the Jayhawks and Red Raiders to 313 yards on average and held the two to a combined 26.9 percent (7 of 27) third-down conversion mark.

The Bears found victory against the Jayhawks, but it was the poor performance in the turnover department and lack of execution in the red zone that did the team in against Tech. Baylor's offense averaged 43.6 yards per possession against the Tech defense but was unable to capitalize on three-consecutive first-half drives inside the red zone, including being stuffed at the goal line on fourth down.

Now set to face an Iowa State offense that ranks No. 8 in the Big 12 in total offense and No. 3 in total defense, the Bears will need to find a way to control the clock and capitalize on red zone opportunities while protecting the football.

MATT RHULE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

On what the Baylor seniors mean to the program...

“Number one, I think our seniors are just wonderful people. That’s first and foremost. There are a bunch of wonderful young men in this program. I think it starts with that senior class. I think the thing I can say is that so many of them had already graduated, and they could’ve gone somewhere else. They could’ve restarted their careers, but they chose to finish them here. While you could say it hasn’t gone the way they wanted it to go, they are a part of rebuilding the program. I think it’s important to say that they didn’t create the situation. All they’re doing is fixing it. And for that, I’m grateful. I’ll be eternally grateful for the seniors that walk out there on Senior Day, some of who came here as walk-ons, and some of who came here as scholarship players. To the team, I talk about Taylor [Young] a lot, because I played linebacker and that’s the position that I see. At the end of the day, even though the record hasn’t gone the way we wanted, he’s playing the best football of his career.

What Taion [Sells] and Taylor Young and Chance [Waz] and Brian Nance are building defensively right now might not seem like it’s showing up, but I’ll say this: In 2014, against Texas Tech, we gave up 707 yards. We gave up 600 yards in 2015. Last year, we gave up 666 yards. But we went out on Saturday and gave up 337 yards to Texas Tech. That’s their second-lowest total of the year. I think we gave up 337 and Iowa State gave up 336. They cut the yardage in half from the year before. It’s not where it needs to be and it’s not where we want it to be, but that’s only happening because Taylor Young has practiced every single day this year. Brian Nance has practiced every single day this year. They haven’t stayed out when they’re banged up. They’re just tough and rugged. And you go over to offense and see that Mo Porter has played the whole year banged up. [Jordan} Feuerbacher breaks his hand and comes back. Ish Wainwright transitions from basketball and gets sick, but comes back. These are special stories, and just to go out and say that we’re thankful for our seniors isn’t enough. We have to say why. They could’ve left and they didn’t. They’re helping us build something. We couldn’t stop anybody in the first couple games, but to go out and hold them to 337 yards or whatever it was is progress, and progress is only happening because of the buy-in of our seniors. So, we’re hopeful that our team goes out there and puts it all together for them on Saturday.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jim Black Defensive Line With an offensive unit ranked No. 8 in total yardage in the Big 12 coming to town, and a rushing offense ranked No. 120 in the country, Baylor's defensive line must perform well to control the line of scrimmage and prevent Iowa State from being able to eat up the clock. The fewer numbers needed to stop the run, the better.

SicEm365 JaMycal Hasty JaMycal Hasty looked fully healthy against Texas Tech for the first time this season and his lateral quickness and burst will be needed greatly against an Iowa State defense that is sound, ranking No. 34 in the country against the rush. If Hasty has a day that can move the chains consistently Baylor's chances for an upset improve greatly.

SicEm365 Interior Offensive Line Iowa State isn't a great pass rushing team, but the Cyclones know how to be disruptive against the run and tackling behind the line of scrimmage. The interior of Baylor's OL will be tested almost every play. If they can hold up, it will help Baylor's run game and help the offense stay on the field.

SicEm365 Charlie Brewer The freshman coughed it up three times against the No. 9-ranked team in forcing turnovers last week and this week he will face the No. 30-ranked team in the same category. Playing at home could help, but Baylor needs a turnover-free day from Brewer if they want the chance to pull an upset.