Know your foe: Baylor Bear Defense
Neal Brown’s comments regarding the Baylor defense can be summarized by stating that they are a veteran group that starts 7 seniors and 3 juniors. They create negative plays, with 13 sacks and 29 tackles for loss, over the past three games. Their stingy defense forces takeaways with the 16th best turnover margin, in the country. Let’s put some names to numbers, shall we?
Unfortunately for Baylor, Clay Johnston suffered a lower extremity injury during the Texas Tech game and will miss the rest of the season. Johnston led the Bears in most defensive categories this season and it will take a collective effort, from the remaining players to step up and fill that void. What kind of production are we talking about? Through the Tech game, the 6’1” 232 pound senior linebacker led the team with 35 solo tackles, 23 assists, 8 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 1 interception.
There are several players that come close to that kind of production.
- Number 26 Terrel Bernard, who has 19 solo tackles to go along with 20 assists, 1 tackle for loss and 1 interception.
- James Lynch wears number 93. He has 12 solo tackles with 7 assists, 11.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. The 6’4” 295 pound junior Defensive Tackle is an All Big 12 Preseason First Team selection and he’s on the Bednarik Award watch list.
- Number 9 James Lockhart is a 6’2, 263 pound Defensive senior Defensive End who has compiled 11 solo tackles, 4 assists, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
We’ll find out Thursday night if this group can keep pressure on the West Virginia O Line and keep West Virginia off-balance.
You know, during a real tight game, all you need is a Special Teams play to energize your squad. Under the right conditions, Special Teams can snatch victory, from the jaws of defeat.