According to Baylor head coach Dave Aranda, starting senior center Xavier Newman (6-2, 315) will miss the season opener against Louisiana Tech because of an off the field issue. Aranda clarified that Newman’s absence was not related to COVID-19 or injury, but did not specifically state why Newman would miss the contest.
Aranda said he expects Newman to return for Baylor’s first Big 12 game against Kansas on Sept. 26.
Newman, a 19-game career starter, will be replaced by redshirt junior Jason Moore (6-3, 300) as the starting center on the offensive line. Moore has played in 16 career games over the previous three seasons with one start.
Redshirt sophomore Jackson Kimble (6-3, 303) is listed as the backup to Moore.
Baylor opens the 2020 season at McLane Stadium against the Bulldogs on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT in a game that will be aired nationally on FOX.
