Baylor QB Jarrett Stidham shows superstar potential in first start

Jarrett Stidham had a record-breaking performance in Baylor’s win against Kansas State but can he do it again against the Big 12 elite?

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Jarrett Stidham flourished in his first career start in place of the injured Seth Russell and the Baylor Bears remain undefeated with a 31-24 win over the Kansas State Wildcats.

Stidham set a FBS record for a freshman in his first start with 419 passing yards and finished 23 of 33 passing with three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown on the opening possession. Russell led the nation in passer rating and touchdowns before his season-ending neck injury but he never threw for more than 380 yards this year.

He looked poised, accurate and clutch. The playing time he received earlier in the season in relief of Russell looked like it helped in his transition to the starting lineup because he didn’t look like intimidated by the situation.

“It’s a lot of growing up, Stidham said after the game, via Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News. You got to get experience when you can. I’m glad to get this under my belt.”

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He was unflappable with the game in the balance late after some patented Bill Snyder wizardry made it a one-possession game with 4:07 left in the game. On the first play of the ensuing possession, Stidham had his best throw of the game when he connected with KD Cannon on a 40-dart down the field.

With Cannon on one side and Heisman candidate receiver Corey Coleman who is threatening to shatter the receiving touchdown record on the other, Stidham is set up with an ideal cast to ensure his growing pains are limited.

Art Briles made sure he got Stidham in a rhythm early and the first play from scrimmage was a 36-yard pass to Coleman, next was a seven-yard pass to Cannon, two plays later a 21-yard pass to Shock Linwood, the leading rusher in the Big 12.

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Stidham capped the drive off three plays later with a one-yard touchdown run and any butterflies he had about making his first start were gone. He was settled in for what turned out to be a record-breaking night and Baylor remained undefeated after the road win.

Now he’ll have to move up in class with the Oklahoma Sooners coming to Waco next Saturday followed by road games with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and TCU Horned Frogs before the season finale with Texas.

But with the weapons around him and the coaching staff putting him in a fail-safe position, there’s no reason to think he won’t be able to lead Baylor to the Big 12 title. “People don’t need to be counting us out. We’re still going to be firing on all cylinders.”

Coleman finished with 216 yards and two touchdowns, including one being an 81-yard score. to bring his season total up to 20 touchdowns and is seven shy of tying the record held by Louisiana Tech’s Troy Edwards.

Coleman should be in the Heisman conversation just as much as LSU running back Leonard Fournette or TCU’s Trevone Boykin.

He’s not the only special player on that offense. Linwood is the best back in the conference, Cannon is one of the best deep threats in the nation and Spencer Drango is an All-American left tackle on a dominant offensive line.

Stidham may have the highest ceiling of them all.