Player’s Club: ‘We Just Have To Do It. Being Close Kind of Sucks’
After back-to-back gut-wrenching losses to Colorado and No. 22 BYU, head coach Dave Aranda’s Bears desperately need to figure out a way to put together four competent quarters of football if they want any chance at making a bowl game at the end of the season.
Against the Buffaloes, Baylor started fast but missed a game-winning field goal down the stretch, gave up a Hail Mary at the buzzer and fumbled on the goalline in overtime. Versus the undefeated Cougars, the Bears fell behind early 21-0 and ultimately couldn’t overcome the deficit despite outscoring BYU 28-13 over the final 48 minutes of the contest.
With a handful of toss-up games remaining on the schedule, what will it take for Baylor to find a way to win close games moving forward?
“We just have to do it,” quarterback Sawyer Robertson (RJr.) told the media on Tuesday. “On offense, when we got the ball back with two minutes left against Colorado and had to get a first down to ice the game, we didn't get it done. Last weekend, [we were] moving the ball up and down the field and throwing it around all game, and then in the last two possessions, we just couldn't get it done. The defense fought back and put us in a position to win, and so I take a lot of responsibility for that.”
Since losing to No. 14 Kansas State on November 12, 2022, Aranda’s squad is 3-16 against FBS opponents and has lost nine consecutive conference games at McLane Stadium. With his job hanging in the balance, moral victories are no longer on the menu, and the team shares the same sentiment.
“Y’all saw the games; being close kind of sucks,” Robertson said. “You don’t play to get close. Nobody remembers the guys that get close to winning. They remember the guys that do win. Putting it all together and getting a win, no matter how it looks, is really important. We want to do that, and I think everybody is getting tired of being close.”
One of the biggest issues that has plagued Baylor in recent seasons is a lack of killer instinct, particularly in the first half of games. Since the start of the 2022 season, both at home and on the road, the Bears have been outscored by FBS teams 440-332 in the first half.
“We talk about starting fast, and that’s what we’ve been trying to practice and put together,” defensive lineman Jackie Marshall (RJr.) said. “Going out there on gameday and settling down and not making the moment too big [is key]. Plus, knowing your job, doing your job and trusting your brother will do the same thing.”
Whether people want to believe it or not, Baylor is a handful of plays away from being 4-1. As of Monday’s AP Poll, No. 18 Utah, Colorado and No. 17 BYU have a combined record of 13-2, and the Bears showed they can go toe-to-toe with each of those opponents. Even with the losses piling up, the team hasn’t given up on each other or its head coach.
“There's a lot of fight in this team,” Robertson said. “I believe in every single one of those guys in the locker room. I love every single one of them. I believe in all the coaches and love every one of them. When that's the foundation, special things can happen. We're going to keep fighting every day, putting ourselves in the best position to win and the results will come. You just got to trust it.”
Marshall added, “It’s about playing with confidence too. Everybody needs to know that we can go out there and play against whoever and win.”
As for the overall play of the offense, it’s been elevated since Robertson took over for an injured Dequan Finn (6Sr.) at quarterback against Air Force in early September.
Through three starts, Robertson has totaled eight touchdowns to two turnovers and threw for a career-high 324 yards against BYU. What’s been the key to his success this fall? Playing free and relying on his faith, according to Robertson.
“I was ready when my number was called,” he said. “Any development or process that I’ve made is because of personal growth in the offseason. I’ve learned I'm not defined by the result of any game, how I perform or what anybody writes or says about me. Instead, my identity comes through who Jesus Christ says I am and what He did on the cross. Because of that, I'm taken care of, and I can play freely and have fun when I play. That's been my mindset.”
Robertson has also built great connections with wide receivers Josh Cameron (RJr.) and Hal Presley (Sr.). Against BYU, Cameron hauled in two touchdowns and totaled a career-high 125 receiving yards on seven receptions. Presley also had a big afternoon, bringing down a career-high eight passes for 82 yards.
“We had a great relationship beforehand,” Robertson said. “Since then, it’s been growing. I have complete trust in those guys, and I know where they're going to be. I know what they're thinking before they're even thinking it, and I think it goes vice versa. There’s complete confidence both ways.”
This Saturday, the Bears will look to turn the page on their back-to-back losses and travel to Ames to take on the No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones (4-0, 1-0), a veteran, experienced team with a talented defense.
“It’s going to be a hard-fought, physical game,” Marshall said. “We know that coming in, and we need to be ready. It’s going to be a fight.”
Robertson, who started his first career road game against Colorado a few weeks ago, also looks forward to the matchup and understands the challenges ahead of playing an undefeated opponent in a hostile environment at night.
“I have a lot of respect for [Iowa State],” Robertson said. “They are really good defense. I'm looking forward to it. It'll be a really fun game, and I'm expecting them to be a great challenge. Everybody in this conference has been [a challenge] so far, and that's why you are playing this game. It’s for matchups and against competition like that.”