Aranda’s Call Sheet: Desire to Win, New-Look Offense and Taking on the Texans
In head coach Dave Aranda’s press conference before the Bears’ season opener against Tarleton, the fifth-year head coach talked about his team’s desire to win, the new-look offense and what to expect against the Texans.
This Is Real
When trying to illustrate the urgency of the season ahead, Aranda used one of his patented press conference analogies, this time referring to the 1986 comedy ‘Three Amigos,’ starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short.
After Martin’s character, a country-western actor masquerading as a hero, gets shot in the movie after squaring off with the banditos, he turns to his fellow amigos and says, “This is real. They’re going to kill us.”
Aranda explained the point of his mildly obscure reference, noting, “Every day has to be intentional and purposeful. This is real. I mentioned that a couple of times this morning to the guys, and I think everyone understands that we all know what the prescription is – [winning].”
Urgency and edge have been consistent themes throughout fall camp because they weren’t necessarily attributes of the 2023 Bears, who went 3-9 and 1-7 at McLane Stadium. Aranda believes this year’s squad checks both boxes but isn’t ready to say anything for sure until he sees how his team reacts to adversity.
“There's a lot of talent on this team and an edge on this team that last year's team didn't have,” he said. “Right from the beginning, we started with [focusing on] ball, and there's probably an advantage in that with this team over last year's team … I think we’ve also got to go out and get hit in the mouth and get back up to see what’s what.”
Last season serves as an embarrassing reminder to the team and coaching staff, and Aranda wants his team to get out to a fast start on Saturday against Tarleton to calm any fears of last year happening again.
“There’s a will and a desire to win, and not have last year impact us or repeat itself more than anything is the main driver,” Aranda noted. “It's important for us to start fast. There's going to be guys on our team that are looking to see, ‘Hey, Are we really that different? Is it really a new thing?’ For us to be able to get those pads on snug and tight and to get to popping right away – it's important.”
New-Look Offense
When it comes to Jake Spavital’s new-look offense, it starts with Toledo transfer Dequan Finn (6Sr.), who was recently announced as the Bears starting quarterback to open the year.
“[Finn] gives us the best chance to win right now,” Aranda noted. “There's really strong leadership with him and the ability to get in and out of protections. He can make the throws he needs to make, and then if stuff breaks down, he can make something out of nothing.”
In the past, Aranda has pegged Finn’s scrambling ability as “elite,” which will be an essential tool behind an offensive line that features a ton of question marks. Last season, the Bears’ offensive line was arguably the team's weakest link by a wide margin.
Aranda, however, has been encouraged by the growth he’s seen throughout fall camp, specifically from Montana State transfer guard Omar Aigbedion (Jr.) and returning guard Ryan Lengyel (RJr.).
“The [O-line] has been the most improved group,” he said. “[Aigbedion] has injected some life, intensity and toughness into the group. Then there's [Lengyel], who's been on the side [in the past] and is now in the middle of it, getting into scraps, fighting, clawing and growing up. Both of those guys are symbolic of the group.”
Meanwhile, at wide receiver, Baylor has a more solidified set of veterans on paper, most notably Monaray Baldwin (Sr.), Ketron Jackson (Sr.), Hal Presley (Sr.), Josh Cameron (RJr.) and Ashtyn Hawkins (5Sr.). According to Aranda, consistency is the key for the receiver group to be at its best this fall.
“There’s been glimpses here and there [in the past],” he said. “[Our wide receivers] are too talented for that, and [inconsistencies should be in the past]. The ability to make plays on a 50/50 ball and when you have a guy beat to finish the play and make a guy miss in space. … We have to do that when it matters most for us to be the offense we need to be.”
Taking On The Texans
As for Tarleton, the Texans opened the season ranked No. 21 in the FCS and squeaked out a narrow 26-23 victory over McNeese State last Saturday. In the win, Tarleton’s starting quarterback, Victor Gabalis (Jr.), appeared to injure his thumb and did not play in the second half.
Even without the starting quarterback for half of the game, Aranda was impressed by the Texans' offense, particularly the skill position players and the offensive line.
“[Tarleton] is fast; the receivers are fast, and the running back is really patient,” he said. “They do a great job with the snap cadence with the offensive line firing off and the opposing defensive front not moving yet. … Their offensive line is physical and is a veteran group.”
Regarding potential Week 1 jitters, Aranda believes the team is mentally in a great place and on schedule with where they should be.
“There's a certain feel that goes into this,” he said. “When you walk in the room, you can feel that guys are locked in and on the edge of their seats. You can feel if someone's just going through the motions or thinking about something else. … We've been through all this stuff, and now here we are. I want this week to feel right. We've invested too much. We've come to this point, and today felt great. It's been that way since winter.”
With Aranda firmly entrenched on the hot seat entering his fifth year at the helm and the Bears' win total hovering around 5.5, he understands the magnitude of the season ahead but is also grateful for the sacrifices his players and coaching staff have made to remain in Waco despite coming off a 3-9 season.
“I’m excited for this team and the players that have invested so much,” Aranda said. “There’s guys that could have left and chose not to. There are transfers that have played a lot of ball and could have gone wherever, but they chose here. There are coaches who read all the articles, and they know the situation, but they chose to come here. There are coaches who went through last year and had a chance to leave but stayed. You want to win for them.”
Aranda and the Bears will open their season against Tarleton at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at McLane Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.