The Players Perspective on TCU and Senior Day
We wait so long for football season to arrive, and now just like that, the final home game at McLane Stadium will take place this Saturday.
And, in turn, the last home game for players like sixth-year senior linebacker Bryson Jackson and fifth-year senior left tackle Connor Galvin. If that alone doesn't motivate this team, nor does all of the hoopla surrounding their opponent, then undoubtedly, last week's devastating defeat will provide the spark this team needs. One would hope.
To hear the two seniors tell it, that's the case anyways, as Jackson and Galvin provided the players' perspectives in this week's media session.
LINEBACKER BRYSON JACKSON
The former Mansfield Lake Ridge linebacker first arrived in Waco as a member of the 2017 recruiting class, the first under former head coach Matt Rhule. The group formed the foundation of last year's successful title run — not to mention a 2019 Big 12 title appearance — and featured the likes of Jalen Pitre and Terrel Bernard, Abram Smith, and James Lynch. It also included current teammates Gavin Holmes, Cole Maxwell, and Khalil Keith, who will play in their final game at McLane Stadium on Saturday. In many ways, it's the end of an era.
"So, a lot of emotion. It's going to be a lot of memories here I'm going to remember for the rest of my life," Jackson said this week. "And just the teammates that I've had throughout the times and this year has been amazing."
The Mansfield Lake Ridge alum is cherishing the grind of a game week with his brothers, knowing this is the final time they'll cross the Brazos from the practice fields to cap off the game week. But also knowing he and his teammates need to respond strongly to last week's debacle vs. Kansas State. It's well-documented that this 2022 group has been susceptible to celebrations, outside noise, and pressures. Still, you'd have thought last week's stakes would have guys bouncing off the walls in anticipation, but instead, it was quite the opposite, as only the Wildcats showed their claws all night.
The Bears got bullied and, in some ways, embarrassed. So how has this team reacted, and how do they plan on responding?
"Just recognizing how great of an opportunity it is to go through adversity and to show how we can overcome and come out on the better end," Jackson said. "Which is putting the work in this week and showing pretty much everybody what we're really about, what this team is really about."
"So it's pretty exciting to do it with this group of guys and I'm looking forward to Saturday morning. We're going to face a talented team, but it should be a test for us to dig in deep and play freely and play for each other as brothers."
That talented team is rival TCU, unbeaten and bound for the Big 12 title game and perhaps the College Football Playoff if they can win in Waco, at home against Iowa State, and in Arlington against … Kansas State? Listening to Jackson, wise at this stage, there's no doubt the Bears respect what their opponent has accomplished, but, of course, they also recognize how ripe for the taking that also makes this opportunity.
"It's a test and I think that from what we've been through, I think that's all built up to this moment," Jackson said.
"So for us, it's just about showing and displaying what we're truly about. We've had a lot of adversity this year. That part of us, figuring out who we are, we've missed out on, so it's important that we just really show and play to our standard and show them what Baylor Football is really about."
He and his remaining 2017 classmates are 1-4 in their careers against TCU, including a Playoff bubble bursting loss to an interim Jerry Kill-led team last year. Quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell knows what it's like to beat TCU as a Baylor assistant, having done it back in 2019 while coaching the offensive line. But you can't say that about anyone else, including Dave Aranda, Jeff Grimes, or Ron Roberts. So it's been hard for everyone involved to beat the Frogs over the years.
"Last week was one of our very disappointing experiences," Jackson said regarding Kansas State. A loss that stung in many ways. However, one of the most disheartening by far is that this team got pushed around and outmuscled. That's what we've come to expect from this program in recent years. They may lose, but they'll leave some marks and make it difficult. Last week, not so much.
"We've been known for our physicality upfront on both ends. So having that happen last week was just an eye opener for us to pretty much focus on getting our eyes in the right spot, playing our keys and being intentional on assignment football."
Per custom, Jackson and his fellow departing teammates will be introduced before the game one by one. Take a picture with Dave Aranda and loved ones and the whole presentation. It's a special group that appeared in two Big 12 title games and Sugar Bowls under two different head coaches after pledging to Baylor when it was the exact opposite of a popular or easy choice. No single article can encapsulate those journeys, but they've led to one final run out of the tunnel at home.
"I might cry, but I don't know if they're going to see it," Jackson said when asked which teammate would most likely cry on Saturday. "I think we got some tough guys, they probably won't cry, but for me, it's definitely an emotional experience."
LEFT TACKLE CONNOR GALVIN
Galvin trailed Jackson by one year, but he and his class were just as foundational to the program's rejuvenation and riches. A 2018 group featuring former receiver Tyquan Thornton, safety JT Woods, and current teammates like punter Issac Power and running back Craig Williams. For Galvin, emotions haven't hit, although he admits they probably will on Saturday. The realization that his five years in Waco are drawing to a close.
First, though, all of his current focus is on TCU. Not because it's the Frogs or they're unbeaten, but because that's simply who's next. In preparation, the Bears aren't shying away from all the outside noise surrounding their opponent or the opportunity to exact a measure of revenge. But to hear them tell it, none of those items are driving factors in this week's drive or mindset.
"We have addressed what's at stake for both teams. We've addressed the situation and the opportunity we have ahead of us. We know what's at stake, it was addressed on Monday, but we're not making like a big deal about it. It's next opponent up," Galvin said on Wednesday.
And that opponent has proven trickier than most, no matter the circumstances. This year's Sonny Dykes-led squad, in particular, is far and away the best version of TCU that Galvin will have seen in his five years.
"They play hard. They play fast, they're physical, athletic, very smart. You know, it's gonna be a 60-minute game," Galvin said. "They're 10-0, they fight back. They've been down in some games, but they're really tough. They have fought back and won."
That challenge includes the defense facing the threats of Johnston, Miller, Duggan, Barber, Davis, etc.
And for Galvin and the offense, "They kind of base out like 3-3, so d-lineman really athletic, stout at the line of scrimmage. Linebackers are fast and physical. They're all 240-plus, 250ish, run downhill, trigger fast. So there's gonna be a big man game and we're gonna have to win the front seven to win this game."
The team has regrouped with a renewed focus this week in light of Kansas State. Galvin expressed confidence in quarterback Blake Shapen and put the weight of last week's offensive struggles on everyone's shoulders. After watching the film, they didn't execute and had too many self-inflicted wounds, particularly in the red zone. Stating the obvious, that will have to change this week for any chance of an upset special.
A win on Saturday would be memorable for various reasons but especially sweet on Senior Day. Sixth-year, fifth-year, fourth-year, whatever senior class one belongs to, Galvin and a great group of Bears will say their home goodbyes this weekend.
And win or lose, the brotherhood remains.
"We've been through a lot of stuff together. A lot of workouts, a lot of bad days, good days, and all that stuff. So, it's going to suck not to be with them after this year. But you know, all of us have made friends for life, so really can't complain about that."