Underrated Performer: A Secondary Standout Against Utah

There were some flashes of promise from Baylor (1-1) during Saturday’s 23-12 loss to No. 11 Utah (2-0) at Rice-Eccles Stadium, but arguably more of the same from the Bears. 

While the front seven of Baylor’s defense was able to wreak some havoc, the secondary looked completely confused most of the time. The biggest concern still remains the offensive line and the lack of explosive plays that were supposed to come with Jake Spavital’s offense and Dequan Finn (6Sr.) leading the charge. 

Unfortunately, through the first two games, Finn has accounted for just 307 yards through the air, with three touchdowns and two interceptions, during his first two starts. While the Bears’ rushing attack as a whole remains nonexistent, mustering up a whopping 272 total yards and two touchdowns.

I mentioned the issues with the secondary. Caden Jenkins (So.) got put in the spin cycle on multiple occasions, as the Utah receivers could run right past him with elite route running. There was a touchdown on a reverse, where Devyn Bobby (Jr.) completely bit on the fake and ended all hope of backside help to stop the play.

While youthfulness showed its ugly head in the scenarios above, what got lost in the shuffle was the experienced plays that Lorando “Snaxx” Johnson (RSr.) displayed against the Utes, making him this week’s Underrated Performer.

The redshirt senior cornerback was able to fly in and help finish off tackles that reached the second level of the defense consistently while accounting for three solo tackles. Johnson also won a majority of his one-on-one matchups on the night while picking up a PBU to give him 13 total for his career. 

Baylor (1-1) will be back at McLane Stadium this Saturday as they host Air Force (1-1) at 6:30 p.m. on FS1.