Man, this is a gut punch for Baylor fans: Quarterback DJ Lagway is officially out for their Week 2 game against Prairie View A&M. Multiple reports confirmed the news, dropping a bombshell that changes the vibe completely for Saturday’s matchup in Waco. Lagway’s ankle injury, sustained in last week’s brutal 17-16 loss to Auburn, is keeping him on the sidelines, forcing a new face under center.
Lagway’s Gutsy Stand That Almost Was
What a warrior Lagway was against Auburn, though! We’re talking about a guy who was noticeably hobbling at the end of the first half and literally had to be carried into the locker room by his teammates. But did that stop him? Nah. He returned in the second half with a heavily taped right ankle, finishing the game and nearly pulling off a last-minute win for the Bears. That two-point attempt falling inches short still stings. Despite that bum ankle, this highly touted transfer from Florida still balled out, slinging for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Dave Aranda wasn’t kidding when he said Lagway was “fighting through it” and “battling through.” The problem was, that limited mobility came at a cost: a 50% completion rate (27 of 54). Still, massive props for the heart he showed.
Bennett Steps Up For His Big Moment
So, with Lagway out, ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that Nate Bennett will get the start against the FCS Panthers. This is huge for Bennett. The junior out of Westlake Village, Calif., is making his first collegiate start, which is always a big deal. Last season, he backed up Sawyer Robertson and only completed five passes for 34 yards against Samford. He was a 3-star recruit and ranked the No. 101 quarterback in the 2004 recruiting class, so he’s got some pedigree, but this is a whole different level. Coach Aranda sounds confident, telling reporters, “I feel really good about Nate and [third stringer Ed Griffin]. We’ve got guys who have been here, have been invested and know the offense.” He even hinted at tweaking the game plan to best utilize their “particular skill sets,” so expect some adjustments.
Saturday in Waco is gonna be all eyes on Bennett. Baylor is a massive 38.5-point favorite against Prairie View A&M, so the expectation is a win, regardless of who is QB. But can Bennett command the offense and keep things humming? This is his chance to show what he’s got and keep the Bears’ early season momentum going with a healthy performance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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