Baylor Remains Offensive Threat Despite Missing Many Championship Pieces

Many of the offensive weapons that helped lead Baylor to Big 12 supremacy in 2021 have departed. Some transferred, and some are now a part of an NFL roster.

The Bears lost a total of six main skill players, including quarterback Gerry Bohanon, their top two rushers Abram Smith and Tristan Abner and three leading receivers Tyquan Thornton, RJ Sneed and Drew Estrada.

But, the intelligence of head coach Dave Aranda and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes remain with the team, and Baylor has so far proven itself as still withholding the capability of putting points on the scoreboard.

“Dave Aranda has one of the top minds in the country,” West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said during Monday’s news conference.

“The team is well-coached. They play very consistent. They don’t run very many plays, but they have a lot of quick game concepts with play action, and the run game is all outside zone.”

Baylor’s slim playbook has still produced 37.4 points and over 436 yards per game, paired with the influence of quarterback Blake Shapen.

Shapen and tight end Ben Sims are the two lone skill position players in the offensive lineup that saw time during the Bears’ run to a Big 12 championship and a victory in the Sugar Bowl over Ole Miss.

Sims was Baylor’s fourth-highest receiver after compiling 361 yards and six touchdowns. Shapen saw minimal time behind Bohanon, but still threw for 596 yards and six scores.

“It’s very easy for them, hard for the defense,” Brown said. “(Shapen) is mobile and has a quick release. It’s big in the RPO game. He can hurt you with his legs and gets the ball out on time without many hits … No. 8 Sims is now their leading receiver. They throw to tight ends a lot.”

Shapen has also drawn comparisons to Bohanon due to his impact inside and outside of the pocket.

Bohanon threw for 2,200 yards, while rushing for the third-highest total on Baylor’s roster (323) before transferring to South Florida prior to the start of this season. Shapen has thrown for 1,118 yards and nine touchdowns. On the ground, however, he has recorded just 34 yards and two scores, which includes a season-high 35-yard carry.

“Bohanon have them the ability to have a little more of a QB run game,” Mountaineers defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said. “Shapen has a big arm, a live arm. He can make all the throws on the field. He’s good at managing the offense into plays that are favorable for them.

“Their skill sets are different, but both are good quarterbacks. They just have different styles. Don’t let Shapen fool you, though. He can run.”

Baylor also boasts a running back by committee tandem, much like West Virginia has seen through its first five contests.

Richard Reese leads the Bears’ backfield with 400 yards and seven touchdowns on 72 carries. Craig Williams (184 yards, two touchdowns) and Qualon Jones (162 yards, three touchdowns) can also make impacts for Baylor.

Using a Run-Pass-Option offense with four different ball carriers can make it easy to wear down a defense, especially when it’s effective. Reese’s highlight game this season was against Texas State, where he ran for 156 yards and three touchdowns.

“Reese is just a freshman, but he gets a lot of carries,” Brown said. “They have the ability to make explosive plays. Their strength is in their offensive line. We have to do what we do best and make plays.”