Kansas To Start Freshman QB Against Baylor

“He’s the next man up”, Beaty said after the game, “and his turn came, so we’ll see where we go from there”. He’s electrifying, to me.

During Tuesday’s meeting with the media, Millweard rehashed a moment during a recent practice in which, one minute, he was wearing a headset and signaling in plays, and the next, he heard Likens utter, “Well, I guess you’re going in”. I just love the game. I kept my commitment and stayed strong with Kansas because I wasn’t sure what was going on. Listed at 6 feet 4 and 211 pounds, Willis was rated as a three-star recruit after throwing for 5,986 yards and 65 touchdowns during two seasons as the starting quarterback at Bishop Miege, the same high school that produced Cozart. He said recently, “I feel God opened up the opportunity to make a better decision for myself”.

The Odds: Baylor is a 44 point favorite against Kansas. Juniors Greg Allen and Courtney Arnick each snagged a pick against Rutgers (Sept. 26), while Allen and junior Marcquis Roberts grabbed one each at Iowa State (Oct. 3). “They came here and Baylor beat them (52-24 in 2012). I just want to play”. Briles was a former Texas High School Coaches Association president and has spent his entire coaching career in the state of Texas.

The No. 3 Baylor Bears (4-0) are coming from a 63-35 win over Texas Tech in Week 5.

“Not really”, he said. However, they would certainly do well to get a bit more discipline. Then you back that up with ability, and that’s where he’s at now. “The guy’s long, he can run and he can make plays”.

The #5 Baylor Bears at Kansas Jayhawks this Saturday, October 10. The last time KU put together back-to-back games with two or more interceptions was the final game of the 2011 season with three INTs against Missouri, followed by four interceptions in the 2012 season-opener versus South Dakota State. The Bears will travel to Lawrence to take on a team who hasn’t won a game this season.

Added Beaty: “T.J.is as big a leader as we’ve got on our football team (and he) definitely gives you a few comfort because he’s got a lot of experience. The faster we can get the ball back in our offense’s hands, the more points we’ll score”.

Seth Russell, the quarterback for the Bears, has an interesting story. In three seasons, Cozart’s play has been defined by inconsistency and inaccuracy.

“He was always on our radar”, Briles said.

Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, the ultimate judge and jury, says Blanchard just needs to become more consistent.

Baylor has drawn an average of 11.5 penalties on opponents over its last five games, but Kansas is a flawless 3-0 SU this season when penalized at least 11 times in a game. Shock Linwood rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns in 20 attempts. The only way you do that is you have to focus on how you get that done.

“Last time we were [at AT&T Stadium] we left with a very bitter taste in our mouth as a defense”, Blanchard said. “I should have batted it down”. Moving on to the Baylor defense, there are certain areas where it measures up well against the Jayhawks. “He’s a really good player and brings a good dimension to us”. “I’m so much smarter now with my football IQ because of Coach Bennett”.

Cozart was named the team’s starting quarterback because Michael Cummings was injured during the Jayhawks’ spring game.