Baylor QB Blake Shapen out 2-3 weeks with MCL injury as Bears face pivotal Week 2 matchup vs. Utah

Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen will leave out a minimum of two weeks with an MCL injury, trainer Dave Aranda introduced Monday. The timeline way the Bears’ starter will probably be out for a high-profile bout with No. 14 Utah at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, in Week 2. 

Shapen suffered a lot of large hits in a surprising 42-31 season-opening loss to Texas State. At one level, Shapen went into the clinical tent and got here again with his knee utterly lined in a brace and tape. Shapen hit some large performs after the injury however used to be in the end pulled from the sport within the fourth quarter. Aranda informed Shapen all over the sport that he did not really feel assured that the group of workers may just offer protection to him. 

While Shapen used to be closely scrutinized for his efficiency in 2022, the junior replied with an excellent recreation towards the Bobcats. Shapen finished 21 of 31 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns and added a speeding ranking. He used to be the highest-rated participant on Baylor’s staff within the loss and boasted the No. 4 passing grade in college football over the weekend. 

In addition to Shapen, beginning protection Devin Lemear will leave out a minimum of two weeks with a dislocated elbow whilst out of doors linebacker Garmon Randolph may also leave out the matchup towards the Utes with a excessive ankle sprain. The losses are best magnified after Baylor gave up 42 issues and 9.9 yards according to cross strive towards a Sun Belt opponent. 

Pivotal loss

One yr in the past, Aranda used to be one of the vital highest-profile training applicants in faculty soccer. With Shapen sidelined, Aranda is in actual risk of finishing up at the sizzling seat getting into Big 12 play. Utah dismantled Florida 24-11 in Week 1 and seemed the a part of a valid Pac-12 championship contender as soon as once more. 

Losing to Utah would drop the Bears to 0-2 for the primary time since 2017, the primary yr of the Matt Rhule generation. Of direction, the adaptation is that Rhule used to be utterly changing a roster, whilst Aranda is in Year 4 with a roster utterly made up of his personal gamers. 

Aranda is signed via 2029. Baylor does no longer publicly divulge contract or buyout main points as a personal establishment, however chances are high that the quantity is excessive. Still, Baylor is a aggressive sufficient establishment that this system may try to to find the cash if issues actually get started going south. 

Unproven backup

With Shapen sidelined, all eyes flip to backup Sawyer Robertson, a switch from Mississippi State. Robertson competed for the process with Shapen this offseason prior to Shapen used to be briefly named the starter after an outstanding camp. Now, Robertson will get his flip within the highlight. In backup responsibility towards Texas State, Robertson finished 6 of 12 passes for 113 yards with a key interception and fumble. Throughout his profession at Mississippi State, he finished simply 6 of eleven passes for 23 yards with an interception. 

Robertson used to be a extremely touted recruit ranked the No. 205 participant within the nation via the Top247 ratings. Going via first-team reps offers him a possibility to develop and reinforce prior to the high-profile matchup towards Utah. However, making a primary get started towards one of these bodily protection is a frightening proposition for the sophomore from Lubbock, Texas.