Joe and Ganaway: Winning for the seniors

In this daily in-season SicEm365 Premium segment, former Bears JJ Joe and Terrance Ganaway answer questions regarding Baylor's upcoming games and performance from the previous week.

Joe, a quarterback for the Bears from 1989-1993, threw for 5,995 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Bears. Ganaway rushed for 2,051 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Bears from 2009-2011, including a senior season where he set Baylor's single-season career record with 1,556 yards and 21 touchdowns.

This season is all about building for the future at this point.  But it's owed to the seniors that stuck with the program, guys like Taylor Young and Mo Porter, to try and get a win or two in these last handful of games.  How important do you think it is for this program, in general, to win tomorrow and avoid a 0-12 possibility? 

JJ Joe: Huge!  No one wants to be part of an O-for.  It’s been bad enough for guys like Taylor Young who have seen the pinnacle (Big XII Championship) and now have witnessed the “reset”.  They’re what I call the good guys.  They stuck around when they could’ve bailed and both seem to have bought in and continue to play hard.  

To be honest after hearing the most recent injury report, I’m very concerned about the game on Saturday.  KU is as hungry as we are for a win, and they appear to be a little more healthy than our Bears.  If we are to pull the game out on Saturday, our Veteran Leadership (seniors & juniors) must lead the way.

Offensively, Mo Porter, Blake Blackmar, Pat Lawrence and Terence Williams will have to make it happen.  Charlie is probably going to make his first start and he’s not 100 percent. Others may play but will be limited (i.e. Trestan Ebner, John Lovett, Tony Nicholson (out), Zach Smith (doubtful; will travel).  As I mentioned earlier this week, our defense has to play very well and now it will be without the services of Clay Johnston. I know the upperclassmen in no way plan to lose to Kansas, but they will need to lead the way.  On the road, the team leaders can’t expect the underclassmen to make this happen.  If your Freshmen and Sophomores play well, it’s a bonus, but this game will be in the hands of the senior and junior leadership.  #GOBEARS

Terrance Ganaway: I thought the seasons deserved more than avoidance of a 0-12 season. I know the foundation that was laid by them will not fully manifest until Rhules’ third or fourth year. The thing about Young, Porter and Hall is that each of these guys have set the tone of how to show up each day and work - that’s what being a senior is like. It’s frustrating to see a great freshman class dwindle down to possibly a winless senior year but behind the curtains these guys are the ground work of what Baylor wants to do.

Similarly to JD Walton, Joe Pa, Ernest Smith and Jordan Lake were when I was a sophomore. David Gettis would pull me to the side often and encourage to keep fighting and competing even on a 4-8 team. I know I’ve said this a few times but it’s the seniors’ responsibility to make their ceiling the juniors’ floor and so forth. That is how you build a legacy and build that chemistry behind the scenes.

I know this senior class is hurting but the reward they’ll have when this team is winning championships in a few years is exactly why we play football. Building young men and great ambassadors for the program. I felt the same way when Bryce Petty had his success. He was a baby when I was at Baylor and to see him grow into the player and man he is today always puts a smile on my face. A lot of guys have that same effect on me.

Clay Johnston will be a national award finalist and Taylor Young will be the first person to call him. Blake Lynch will be a great safety/corner one day and Davion Hall will call him. I’m proud of this senior class who has been rocked in more ways than one but they understand the gravity of what they are building behind closed doors and the record is less meaningful.