It's difficult to identify an underrated performer when everyone seems to be making plays like they were on Saturday. It’s a good problem to have if you’re Baylor (8-4, 6-3) when, just weeks ago, the entire program was left for dead. The turnaround in Waco this season was remarkable and will be discussed for years to come.
One of the biggest contributors to Baylor’s recent success has been the evolution of the offensive line, which earns the honor of this week’s underrated performer. The unit was the reason that Baylor’s offense was able to rack up 603 total yards against Kansas on Saturday and why redshirt freshman running back Bryson Washington has become the first freshman to rush for over 1,000 yards (1,004) in a season.
Washington (28 carries, 192 yards, two touchdowns) ran all over Kansas on Saturday as he continues to emerge as one of the best running backs to rock the green-and-gold. Sophomore Dawson Pendergrass (11 carries, 104 yards) was also able to eclipse the centrifuge mark as well thanks to the play of the offensive line.
The big uglies have also helped redshirt junior Sawyer Robertson (3,490 career passing, 2,624 season passing) begin to etch his name into the record books technically without a full season of being the starter. Robertson (23-31, 310 yards, four touchdowns) picked apart the Jayhawks’ secondary on Saturday for the third 300-yard game of the season and his career.
Football games are won and lost in the trenches, and Baylor has experienced that full circle with this unit over the course of the season. Hats off to offensive lineman coach Mason Miller for figuring out what makes this group tick and finding the right combination of guys to become a solid offensive line.
