'He's Joe Cool': Baylor Coach Dave Aranda Gives High Praise To QB Blake Shapen
One of the biggest questions entering the 2022 season for Baylor was if quarterback Blake Shapen's Big 12 championship performance over No. 5 Oklahoma State was a one-game wonder.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
In the Bears’ 69-10 blowout win over UAlbany, fans saw a glimpse of how dangerous Baylor’s offense can be. In large part, Shapen is the x-factor. Cool in the pocket, smart with his decision making and highly accurate with his passes, Shapen showed it all and then some in front of a packed McLane Stadium.
“One thing I appreciate about Blake is he’s understated and there’s no drama,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. “Most of the drama is on his head with his Mohawk. He’s Joe Cool. His practices translate into games, and I just love the way he goes about it.”
Shapen went 17 of 20 passing for 214 yards and two touchdowns against the Great Danes’ defense. He tacked on a third touchdown just before halftime with a 1-yard scramble to make it 35-7.
Accuracy was one of the key traits that helped Aranda make the call this spring at quarterback between Shapen and now-USF passer Gerry Bohanon. In five games during the Bears’ 2021 campaign, the Louisiana kid completed 72.1 percent of his throws for five touchdowns. Bohanon, the Bears’ starter for most of their 12-win season, completed 62.9 percent of his passes and averaged roughly eight yards per throw.
Shapen put himself on the map last December in Arlington when he completed his first 17 passes for three touchdowns against Oklahoma State. He’d end up completing 82.1 percent of his throws for 180 yards en route to a 21-16 win over the Pokes.
Rollout! 🗣 *Ludacris voice*#SicEm | #PersonOverPlayer pic.twitter.com/jk14xvIifo
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) September 4, 2022
New year, same story. Throws were on-point. They were decisive. Heck, they were spread out through his three-quarters of action. One pass was a nine-yard swing route to running back Taye McWilliams. Another went for 50 yards downfield to junior receiver Jaylen Ellis.
“I think tonight was just a glimpse of what we can see in the future,” Shapen said. “I felt good all night, and that’s a huge testament to the receivers and the O-line.”
Consistency helped the No.10 Bears start fast and finish strong in Waco Saturday night. Every drive seemed to be like clockwork for Shapen and his arsenal. To open the game, the third-year QB connected with receiver Montary Baldwin for a 47-yard touchdown. Thanks to a Great Danes' fumble caused by linebacker Bryson Jackson, the Bears started their second drive at UAlbany’s 29-yard line.
Shapen wasn’t fazed despite taking a late hit by Great Danes’ defender Jackson Ambush. On the next play, he connected with tight end Ben Sims for a gain of seven. Three plays later, the Bears were up 14-0 thanks to a four-yard touchdown run from Craig “Sqwirl” Williams.
Shapen also found Auburn transfer receiver Hal Presley in the second quarter for an easy 38-yard touchdown to make it 28-7. Of his seven drives, Shapen led the Bears into the end zone on five occasions.
“There was Blake Shapen before the game and Blake Shapen after the game,” Arnada said. “I think that will only continue to grow.”
Baylor will have its first real test of the season next Saturday against No. 25 BYU in Provo, Utah. Kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m.
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Cole Thompson is a sports writer and columnist covering the NFL and college sports for SI's Fan Nation. A 2016 graduate from The University of Alabama, follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson