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Baylor’s dangerous run game, led by Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner, could pose problems for Texas

The Bears lead the Big 12 in rushing, yards per carry (6.1) and first downs via the rush (84).

Gerry Bohanon has enjoyed his perfect vantage point to watch the Baylor running game this season.

The fourth-year quarterback got sold early on what the running back tandem of Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner would mean for the new “wide zone” offensive scheme.

“Having them back there makes my game pretty easy,” Bohanon said this week ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Texas at McLane Stadium, “because I know they’re going to run the ball hard. They kind of fire me up, to be honest. They have me ready to run the ball.

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“I see them get the ball and run somebody over, I want to run somebody over now.”

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While Texas’ Bijan Robinson may be the running back getting the most Heisman hype and national attention, it’s hard to deny the effectiveness of Smith and Ebner. The running game has become the hallmark of the offense and the impetus for No. 16 Baylor (6-1, 3-1 Big).

“I think it’s good for us to be feeding off each other,” Smith said.

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Baylor ranks ninth nationally with 238.3 rushing yards per game after ranking a woeful 123rd last season in the FBS at 90.3 ypg. The Bears lead the Big 12 in rushing, yards per carry (6.1) and first downs via the rush (84).

That could be a major problem for Texas (4-3, 2-2), which has allowed an average of 297.3 yards per game on the ground in its losses.

Or consider this interesting nugget for just how much has changed.

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Baylor need just three games to exceed last year’s season total of 813 yards rushing.

Part of the decision was coach Dave Aranda’s decision to change offensive coordinators, bringing Jeff Grimes from BYU with his wide zone concept to jumpstart the running game.

Ebner, who debated about returning after a disappointing 2020 season, saw the potential and became a fan in spring practice.

“The space it creates,” Ebner said. “There’s a lot of space in the wide zone especially if you block it up right. You can get one-on-one with the safety. There are a lot of big plays waiting to happen.”

Ebner brings versatility to the backfield. He’s just 183 yards short of 4,000 all-purpose yards for his career and has three career kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Now he’s also providing more leadership at the behest of Aranda.

“They challenge me to become more vocal,” Ebner said. “I’ve really been practicing this summer. I think it gets me out of my comfort zone.”

While Ebner was a known quantity despite the struggles last season, Smith has emerged as the Big 12′s third leading rusher after years and years of waiting for his chance.

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A record-setting running back at Abilene High School, Smith tore his ACL in his first Baylor spring practice and played 20 games in 2018 and ‘19, mainly on special teams.

By 2020, he was even switched to linebacker late in the season, averaging 11.5 tackles in four starts.

Smith figured that a return to running back might be in the offing late in spring practice. After being shifted to the backfield, his reps kept increasing, leading to a meeting with Grimes.

So yeah, this season is a little different.

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“It’s extremely different of course, I’m on the other side of the ball,” Smith said. “I guess it’s a different game speed now, a lot different from defense where you’re sitting back and reading. Now it’s like you have, boom, you have to make it faster.”

A classic one-cut downhill runner, Smith is coming off a career-high 188 yards and three touchdowns in a win over BYU. At 5-11 and 221 pounds, he’s not avoiding contact but setting a tone.

“If he had his choice, he would run into stuff,” Aranda said. “And he’s probably been doing that a long time.”

By the numbers

EbnerCategorySmith
77Attempts105
496Yards785
6.44Average7.48
0Touchdowns10
125Season high188
983All-purp. yds.814
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