Baylor Bear Insider
Just five days after Dave Aranda talked about trying to get linebacker Matt Jones "settled down to one position" and narrow his focus, he had to ask him to do more.
When starting "Will" linebacker Terrel Bernard went down with an apparent knee injury in Saturday's 31-29 win over 14th-ranked Iowa State, Jones had to switch from the outside "Jack" position to an inside linebacker spot where he had minimal reps during practice.
"Matt's trying to figure out, 'Am I playing outside? Am I playing inside?''' Aranda said. "After that, we were going over these calls, 'Remember, it's this, remember it's that.' That's what's great about college football, the calm that it takes to get that structure on the sideline, and really the understanding of all of it.
"For him to have some really good recall and get on board and draw through, 'Hey, this is what we're seeing,' I think that was a big factor in the game. There were stops that he was a part of that we were covering (on the sideline) earlier in the game."
In the ultimate examples of "next man up," Jones ended up with two solo tackles, three assists and a QB hurry, while converted defensive end Garmon Randolph made a huge splash at "Jack," with a career-high six tackles, his first interception and a QB hurry on the Cyclones' two-point try at the end of the game.
"He really took strides this spring and fall camp to grow his football knowledge," linebacker Dillon Doyle said of Jones. "And I think you saw that today. He knew where to be. He practices at (middle linebacker) and played 'Will.' That's an unbelievable job. That's a testament to that kid's character. Just so proud of that kid."
Over the last two seasons, Jones has taken snaps at each of the three linebacker spots, but seemed to settle in at the "Jack" position, starting the first four games. With Bernard possibly tearing the meniscus in his knee, Jones will likely have to stick with "Will," at least for now.
"At least we've kind of narrowed it down to two (positions)," Aranda said in last Monday's press conference. "I think the ability to narrow that down and get him focused on, 'Hey, here's the key thing, here's the main points," he can be as good as he wants to be. His instinct is strong, and his care factor is there."
In something of a domino effect, the 6-7, 265-pound Randolph got his most significant snaps at the "Jack" position when Jones had to move inside.
Trailing 28-23, Iowa State had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, driving from its own 35 to Baylor's 22. But, Randolph picked off a Brock Purdy pass that was tipped at the line by nose tackle Siaki "Apu" Ika.
With defensive coordinator Ron Roberts calling a safety blitz with Jalen Pitre, Randolph "becomes the flat defender over there," Aranda said. "And since he's been back, I don't know how many reps Garmon has had of that."
"It got to a point where Ron is feeling like we've got to make something happen. You could feel the momentum going," Aranda said. "I see Ron make the call, and Garmon is looking at (outside linebackers coach) Joey McGuire. And I look over at Joey, and Joey is freaking out. I close my eyes, and open them back up, and it's a pick. When you've got a strong team and guys are fighting and pulling for each other, things like that are going to happen."
And then at the end of the game, with Iowa State needing to convert a two-point conversion to tie it, Randolph threw off the Cyclones' timing with a backside rush and forced Purdy into a bad throw that safety JT Woods picked off in the end zone.
"You talk about 'pound the rock,' our team mentality," Doyle said. "(Garmon) is pound the rock to me. I think last week was maybe our first week back with him. He's been battling through injuries. Really proud of the focus that he's brought to practice. Just really happy that he was rewarded with that interception."
Putting the Special in Special Teams
Trestan Ebner may have stolen the spotlight with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter and a 41-yard punt return to set up another score in the fourth, but Baylor's special teams as a whole were the biggest difference in the game.
Al Walcott blocked a first-quarter punt that set up the Bears' second score; Noah Rauschenberg was a perfect 6-for-6 on kickoff touchbacks; freshman Isaiah Hankins nailed a 34-yard field goal and remained perfect on extra points; and punter Isaac Power flipped the field with a 54.5-yard average on four punts, with three inside the 20.
"Isaac doing what he's doing, (deep snapper Thor Rodoni) being clean with all the stuff he's doing, and then it doesn't matter where we're kicking from, we feel like we can get kicks when we need them," Aranda said. "I think just the confidence in that specialist group has risen to a really cool level."
Now ranked 21st by the Associated Press and 24th in the AFCA coaches' poll, Baylor (4-0, 2-0) goes back on the road to face No. 19/18 Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater, Okla. The Cowboys opened league play with a 31-20 win over then-No. 25 Kansas State.
For the Oct. 9 home game against West Virginia (2-2, 0-1), Baylor Athletics has an exclusive online promotion offering four tickets for $40. Go to 4 for 40 to purchase tickets while supplies last.
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