Aranda's Call Sheet: Addressing Offensive Struggles, Matching Up With Air Force
On Monday, head coach Dave Aranda held his weekly press conference before the Bears (1-1) take on Air Force (1-1) in a 2022 Armed Forces Bowl rematch. He talked about the offensive struggles in the loss against No. 11 Utah, what to expect from Air Force’s run-heavy offense and gave injury updates on a handful of key players.
Offensive Struggles
Quarterback Dequan Finn (6Sr.) struggled mightily on Saturday against No. 11 Utah, throwing for 115 yards on 9-of-21 passing. Outside of a 47-yard touchdown that wide receiver Josh Cameron (RJr.) took to the house off a screen, Finn struggled to push the ball down the field and hit open targets; his other longest completion was for 18 yards.
“Early in the game, I think it was too big for everybody, and I think I was at fault for that,” Aranda said. “I made it probably more about other things than the opponent right in front of you. I think that affected Dequan too. I thought that when things settled down and the running game got going, other things opened up.”
With the Bears unable to pass the ball for much of the afternoon against the talented Utes’ defense, over half of the plays on offense were designed runs. Even then, Baylor struggled to pound the rock, with running backs Richard Reese (Jr.) and Dawson Pendergrass (So.) combining for 84 yards on 18 carries – a number significantly boosted by a 46-yard run from Pendergrass in the third quarter.
“I think early in the game, the run game wasn't really getting a lot; I think toward the end, we started to lean on them and wear them on them some, so I think that's the key,” Aranda said. “I think taking the lessons learned from this game in terms of how you start being level-headed and focusing on the moment and on the thing that you're doing at the time that you're doing.”
When asked why the Bears weren’t more aggressive in their passing attack on Saturday, Aranda didn’t offer much of an explanation other than that Finn was having a hard time completing the attempted screen passes. There was no mention of whether backup Sawyer Robertson (RJr.) will get some playing opportunities in the coming weeks if Finn continues to struggle.
“We had to loosen them up with some of the perimeter stuff, which we really struggled to hit,” he said. “I think that's an execution thing that we have to be way better at.”
Facing the Falcons
With Air Force coming to Waco this weekend, it will be a rematch of the 2022 Armed Forces Bowl in which the Bears lost 30-15. For Aranda’s squad to avenge its loss, they must shut down the Falcons’ run-heavy offense.
“I have a lot of respect for their coaches, and their kids play hard,” Aranda said. “It will be a test of our ability to be accountable, available and dependable.”
Traditionally, Air Force is one of the tougher opponents to prepare for due to its run-centric offense, which includes many different formations and looks.
“They really know us, and we're really working to get to know them,” Aranda said. “A lot of [Air Force’s offense] is, ‘Well, it's if this, then it's that. If we go here, then we're going there.’ You just go down those paths with the best answers and the best adjustments that you can.”
Playing with discipline is the most important key to limiting the Falcons’ rushing attack, something Aranda noted is essential for the Bears this Saturday.
“You have to learn your job,” he said. “You have to learn the gaps you need to play, alignments and assignments. … It is a whole new language that we're learning now. We've been able to work on it for quite some time because we know this game's coming up, so I think that's been an advantage to us.”
After sluggish starts became the norm for the Bears last year, they reared their ugly head again on Saturday against the Utes when Baylor quickly fell into a 23-0 hole – getting into an early deficit against a team that holds the ball and dominates time of possession like Air Force is a recipe for disaster.
“We have to improve [early in games],” Aranda said. “That first quarter is not acceptable with the big plays that we gave up, getting the kick blocked and the strip sack – all of those things were completely avoidable. I take responsibility for all of those. We cannot win playing that brand of football.”
Injury and Left Tackle Updates
Elsewhere across the roster, running back Bryson Washington (RFr.) is expected to return this weekend after missing the season's first two games. Washington was a player who reportedly impressed throughout the offseason and is slated to get a significant workload upon his return.
“We're looking forward to getting Bryson Washington back,” Aranda said. “I think he will help us in the running back room. During the spring and fall, he was one of our top performers, and I think he'll add to the depth we already have there. This offense starts with running the ball.”
On defense, safety Carl Williams IV (So.) didn’t play against the Utes, and defensive lineman Cooper Lanz (RJr.) played just nine snaps before leaving with an injury. Aranda sounded hopeful about Williams IV returning against Air Force but not as optimistic about Lanz.
“Cooper's got an ankle [injury], and we're working through a knee sprain with Carl. I feel [Carl] will be ready to go for this next game,” Aranda noted.
Against Utah, Baylor saw some offensive line shuffling, with left tackle Alvin Ebosele (RSo.) getting benched midway through the game for Kaden Sieracki (RSo.). Ebosele has struggled in pass protection at times this fall and didn’t win the starting job until late in fall camp over Sieracki.
“We have to play better [at left tacke],” Aranda said. “That's an area where we all have the ability to play better, and I think that should be an area of strength for us. Alvin's working through his handicaps right now, and I believe he will prevail. We're able to give him a really good competition, and Sieracki is continuing to improve.”