Dave Aranda claims QB Blake Shapen could be out for up to three weeks

Baylor will be without its starting quarterback for a while. On Monday, Action Network’s Brett McMurphy provided an update on Blake Shapen‘s condition.

“Baylor coach Dave Aranda says starting QB Blake Shapen out 2-3 weeks [with] MCL injury,” McMurphy wrote. “Baylor’s next 3 games at home vs. Utah, Long Island & Texas.”

The loss will be a significant hit to the Bears. Shapen was one of Baylor’s few bright spots in its 42-31 loss to Texas State. Shapen tallied 303 passing yards and two touchdowns while throwing zero interceptions.

Altogether, the redshirt junior boasted a 93 grade, per PFF. The outing becomes even more impressive when you realize the beating Shapen took throughout the contest. He was constantly under pressure, suffering three total sacks.

Dave Aranda comments on offensive line’s failure

After the loss, Aranda didn’t mince words regarding his offensive line’s performance.

“We’ve struggled mightily up front,” Aranda said. There was a combination of anxiety and I hate to say inexperience — I just don’t want as I say my words, I just don’t want excuses, you know? And so I’m not … I don’t mean it in that way. But we just had a hard time getting the ball off on ‘go.’ And so I’m looking back at that, we’re going to have to make some adjustments, and what are things we could do better so that we could snap the ball.

“I think there was some stemming where they would make a move call, but it wasn’t all that. A lot of that was us. A lot of that was me again not getting them prepared for that,” Aranda said. “We had too many free runners — there was a point we had to take Blake off the field and it was late in the game and he had his brace on; he was all wrapped up, and he wanted to play.

“I just told him, ‘Blake, we can’t protect you right now. I know you want to be able to fight through this thing and you want to go, but we can’t protect you right now. No one’s going to feel right if there’s a hit on you that’s an unnecessary one.’ And so I’m way proud of him and his effort.”

Unfortunately, Baylor fans won’t be able to see that effort on the field in the Bears’ next contest. On Saturday, Baylor will face off against No. 14 Utah at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.