Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika injured in third quarter against West Virginia

The Baylor Bears suffered a major blow to their defense on Thursday night, as their star defensive tackle Siaki Ika was injured in the West Virginia game. He was down on the ground for a few minutes, before walking off the field on his own power. Ika is one of the best players on the Bears’ roster. He was seen on the sideline, cheering on his teammates with his helmet on in the second half, but eventually returned to the game late in the fourth quarter. A massive human being, he tips the scales at 6-foot-4, 358-pounds.

Ika was named a preseason second team All-Big 12 selection by Pro Football Focus. Last season, he was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after racking up four sacks in 12 starts. Ika also tied for the sixth most tackles for loss on the team. In Baylor’s Sugar Bowl victory against the Ole Miss Rebels–he shined, setting a career-high with five total tackles.

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There have been a number of injuries on Thursday night for both teams. It’s been a high scoring affair, but a high level of attrition for both rosters in the game. West Virginia defensive back Wesley McCormick was injured after tackling a Baylor receiver in the first half. Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen was having a spectacular evening and was carving up the West Virginia secondary, but was ruled out of the game after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit. Before exiting, Shapen completed 14 of 22 passes for 326 yards, while tossing in two touchdowns and no interceptions. Shapen also had a fumble that was returned for a 65-yard touchdown by WVU defensive back Jasir Cox. It’s been a wild and high-scoring affair in West Virginia–yet another classic between the two Big 12 teams.