Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) reacts after losing in overtime against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
AMES — Iowa State currently leads all Big 12 teams in the AP rankings at No. 16. The Cyclones’ head coach, Matt Campbell, is now the program’s all-time leader in wins with 57. So encouraging numbers have continued to pile up for ISU (4-0, 1-0), which faces reeling Baylor (2-3, 0-2) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in its Big 12 home opener at Jack Trice Stadium.
The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX, and fans are urged to wear white clothing to create “white out” visual conditions. There will also be a drone show and fireworks — but that’s just window dressing for a matchup spotlighting programs heading in different directions.
The Bears have lost seven consecutive conference games and the Cyclones seek their first 5-0 start since 1980. So, with no further ado, here are five Baylor players to know in advance of Saturday’s game:
QB Sawyer Robertson
The well-traveled 6-4, 220-pound junior from Lubbock, Texas, entered the season as the Bears’ No. 2 quarterback, and he likely expected to remain a backup until former Toledo star Dequan Finn suffered a rib injury in a 23-12 loss at Utah on Sept. 7. Finn — the MVP in the MAC last season — hasn’t returned, and it’s unclear how much longer he’ll be out. So Robertson’s started the past three games and has showcased a strong arm and dual-threat capabilities. He’s scored three of Baylor’s seven rushing touchdowns and is completing 60.2 percent of his passes. He’s thrown six touchdown passes to two interceptions — and both of those picks came in last week’s 34-28 home loss to No. 22 BYU. Robertson also threw for a career-high 324 yards against the Cougars and rushed for a touchdown in his third consecutive game.
WR Josh Cameron
Cameron delivered a breakout performance against BYU, notching career highs in catches (seven), receiving yards (125), and touchdown grabs (two). That spike in production made him the Bears’ leader in receiving yards (267), receptions (16), and touchdown catches (three), but that status could change as seniors Ashtyn Hawkins, Hal Presley, and Monaray Baldwin remain key components of the passing game. Cameron distinguishes himself from his fellow wide receivers by being an elite punt returner. The 6-1, 218-pound junior from suburban Austin leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally in that area, averaging 19.3 yards per return, but doesn’t field kickoffs. That’s because lightly-targeted fellow receiver Jamaal Ball is ranked second in the country in kick returns at 36 yards per attempt, and one of those went for a touchdown.
LB Matt Jones
The burly sixth-year senior leads Baylor in tackles with 43 and has defended two passes while notching one quarterback sack. Jones is an imposing figure at 6-4 and 246 pounds and also led the Bears in tackles last season with 82 — and 11.5 of those stops were for loss. He’s also loomed large against ISU a couple of times in his long career. Jones notched four tackles and a pass breakup in his team’s 31-24 win two seasons ago against the Cyclones in Ames. He also totaled a then-career-high five tackles in a 31-29 win over ISU in 2021. Jones saw a string of three straight games with double-digit tackles snapped in last week’s loss to BYU.
LB Keaton Thomas
The 6-2, 224-pound sophomore complements Jones’ power with raw athleticism to cause problems against the run and the pass. Thomas — a NJCAA first-team All-American last season — leads Baylor in solo tackles with 30 and has recorded at least six stops in each game. He compiled nine solo tackles and two sacks in the Bears’ stunning 38-31 overtime loss at Colorado and totaled 12 tackles in the early-season, non-conference loss at Utah.
RB Bryson Washington
Baylor’s struggled to run the ball consistently well and ranks 11th in the Big 12 a rushing yards per game at 146.4. Washington — a 6-0, 203-pound redshirt freshman — appears to possess the most upside at the position and leads the Bears with 158 yards on the ground. He’s also one of four Baylor running backs to notch a single touchdown run this season.
