Baylor will be down one quarterback on Saturday when Kent State visits Waco, Tex., but only one quarterback.
The Bears lost star signal-caller Robert Griffin to a potential season-ending knee injury last week, then opened preparation for KSU with the status of second-stringer Blake Szymanski in doubt because of a bruised shoulder.
Szymanski’s status in no longer cloudy.
Baylor head coach Art Briles has named the fifth-year senior his starter for this week, and that promises to make the trip to Big 12 country at least a little more difficult for Kent State.
“Obviously they are going to be missing a great quarterback, which is a shame because (Griffin) is a fantastic player for people who haven’t had a chance to see him play,” said KSU head coach Doug Martin. “What a talented young man. We wish him nothing but the best and hope he recovers soon. But their backup quarterback is a senior who has a lot of experience. There won’t be a lot of dropoff there.”
Fortunately, Kent State has had plenty of opportunity to study film of Szymanski in the last few days.
“Szymanski started all of 2007, and he’s played this year, too, so we’ve had a look at what he can do,” Martin said before practice on Thursday. “He throws the ball really well. He’s not as fast as Griffin, but he’s still mobile.”
As a sophomore starter in 2007, Szymanski threw for 2,844 yards and 22 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. Griffin won the starting job as a freshman the next year.
The way Szymanski handled that adversity has Baylor’s head coach believing the veteran will be ready to be thrust back into the spotlight.
“We have a lot of confidence (in Szymanski),” Briles said during this week’s Big 12 teleconference. “I like him because he is weathered. His path hasn’t been easy, and he’s stayed very loyal and stayed very consistent with his emotions for this football program and this university. So those things rise up and show up in these type of situations, so I feel OK.”
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TERRY TO START — Just two weeks ago, sophomore Jacquise Terry was settling into his new role as wide receiver.
A season-ending injury to star running back Eugene Jarvis forced Terry back to his old running back position.
Now, with junior Andre Flowers expected to miss the game at Baylor with a shoulder injury, Terry has become the Flashes’ primary ball-carrier.
“The good news is Jacquise showed he can handle it last week,” said Martin.
Terry rushed for a career-high 103 yards on 15 carries in the Flashes’ 29-19 win over Miami, and provided the spark for a game-clinching drive late in the fourth quarter.
“He did a great job,” said Martin. “What he gave us is a lot like what things Eugene gives us — a running back who if you block the play good enough to get four yards and you only get four, that’s discouraging. Jacquise is one of those guys who can get more out of it than what you block it for.
“He made people miss, he gained yards after contact, he is a pretty good receiver out of the backfield. He really played well,” Martin said.
Terry also did a nice job in pass protection, which could be important this week as injuries have trimmed the depth at the running back position.
“He is very bright,” said Martin. “He is a 4.0 student, and he’s very smart football-wise.”
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HOOPS ON TV — Kent State is getting ready to announce television dates for at least two more of the marquee games on its men’s basketball schedule.
The Golden Flashes’ Dec. 12 game at the University of Pittsburgh will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU. Tip-off for the meeting with the Panthers will be at noon.
A Dec. 4 trip to Xavier will be broadcast regionally on Fox Sports Ohio at 7:30 p.m.
There are also rumors ESPNU is close to adding as many as three more Kent State games to its national television schedule. One of those games would be Akron’s Jan. 23 visit to the M.A.C. Center.
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David Carducci can be contacted at dcarducci@recordpub.com