Baylor's Russel out for season
Freshman Stidham will step in at quarterback after starter’s injury.
Baylor coach Art Briles said he hadn’t spoken to Jarrett Stidham since Saturday, hoping there would be no need to promote the young quarterback to first team.
But Briles and his No. 2ranked Bears received bad news Monday, when a specialist told starter Seth Russell he needed season-ending neck surgery to correct an injury he suffered Saturday in a 45-27 win over Iowa State. He’ll need six months to recuperate before he can return to action.
Russell, who directed the country’s best offense, had emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender this month. Now, if Baylor is to win a third consecutive Big 12 title and make the College Football Playoff, the team will have to do it with Stidham, a true freshman, guiding its high-octane offense.
Russell led the nation in passing efficiency (189.7), touchdowns (29), points responsi-
ble for per game (30), passing yards per completion (17.68) and passing yards per attempt (10.52).
Baylor is off this week. The Bears will return to action Nov. 5 at Kansas State. The first rankings of the CFP committee will be released Nov. 3. Jeff Long, the committee chairman, said the loss of Russell shouldn’t affect the initial Top 25.
“We don’t look ahead. We rank on what we’ve seen thus far,” Long told USA Today. “So we’ll rank Baylor on what they’ve done thus far with the quarterback they have.”
Ohio State, which won last year’s national title, did so with a third-string quarterback.
Stidham, who starred at Stephenville High School, was one of the top quarterback prospects in the country last recruiting season. On ESPN.com, he ranked behind only Texas A&M’s Kyler Murray among dual-threat quarterbacks. Stidham had been a longtime commitment to Texas Tech but abruptly changed his mind in December, enrolling at Baylor for the spring semester.
As Russell’s backup, Stidham has played in every game this season. He has completed 24 of 28 passes for 331 yards and six touchdowns.
Opposing head coaches who recruited Stidham said he possesses an impressive skill set.
“I think he’ll do very well,” Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “They have an incredible cast around him. He’s as talented a thrower as you’ll be around.”
Kansas coach David Beaty, who recruited Stidham when Beaty was at Texas A&M, linked him with Murray.
“Jarrett and Kyler Murray are two of the best high school quarterbacks I’ve ever seen,” Beaty said. “He’s as good as I’ve seen. He’s very efficient. I love his (throwing) motion. I hate to see that happen to Seth. ... Baylor is in really good hands. This kid can really play.”
Because Baylor has a bye week, the Bears didn’t have their usual Monday press luncheon. Stidham wished Russell well on social media. So did Baylor icon Robert Griffin III, TCU star quarterback Trevone Boykin and Frogs running back Aaron Green.
Briles said of Stidham, “If it’s time for him to help the team ... then that’s what he’ll do, and our team will rally around him.”