Star running back ofBaylor football team experiences season-ending injury setback
Baylor Football Braces for 2025 Season Without Star Running Back
After a successful 2024 season that saw the Baylor Bears finish with a record of 8-5 and six wins in the Big 12 conference, the team is preparing for the challenges of the upcoming 2025 campaign. However, the absence of star running back Dawson Pendergrass, who is out for the season due to a foot injury, casts a shadow over the Bears' prospects.
Pendergrass, who had 121 carries for 671 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the 2024 season, was an integral part of Baylor’s offense. His absence creates a significant void in the backfield, but the team remains optimistic about their chances, with quarterback Sawyer Robertson (3,071 passing yards, 28 TDs in 2024) and running back Bryson Washington (1,000-yard rushing season in 2024) leading the charge.
Washington is expected to step up as a key running back alongside Robertson’s passing game. Pendergrass's injury means the Bears will need others to carry more of the rushing load, and Washington is well-positioned to fill that gap.
The Bears' offense, which was one of the Big 12’s best in 2024, is projected to remain strong, with leading receiver Josh Cameron and other weapons in the arsenal. However, the defense is a greater concern heading into 2025, as it was an area needing improvement after a poor pass defense in 2024. The team has added several defensive transfers in an attempt to bolster this unit.
Analysts and previews suggest that Baylor could again compete for a Big 12 championship and contend for a playoff spot if the team starts well, despite the setback in running back depth. Early games against Auburn and SMU will be critical for momentum.
Dave Aranda, who has been the head coach of Baylor football since 2020, enters the 2025 season with a more stable footing after nearly tripling his win total from the year before in the 2024 season. Aranda, who won the Big 12 in the 2021 season, will be looking to guide the Bears to another conference title in 2025.
Baylor football kicks off their 2025 season on August 29, against Auburn. The Bears aim to win the Big 12 conference and contend for a national championship, but the road to success will be more challenging without Pendergrass in the backfield. The team's ability to manage depth in the backfield and improve their defense will be critical to how far they can advance.
[1] Baylor Football Preview: Bears Aim for Big 12 Title and Playoff Berth in 2025
[2] Baylor Football 2025 Outlook: Can Bears Overcome Running Back Depth Issue?
[3] Baylor Football's Offense Remains a Strength Heading into 2025
[4] Baylor Football's Defense Needs Improvement Ahead of 2025 Season
[5] Baylor Football's Early Games Critical for Momentum in 2025
[1] The Baylor Bears are bracing for the 2025 season, aiming to reclaim the Big 12 title and compete for a national championship, despite the running back depth issue caused by star player Dawson Pendergrass's injury.
[2] As Baylor football gears up for the 2025 season without Pendergrass, the question remains: Can the Bears overcome their running back depth issue and contend for a playoff spot?
[3] Although the Baylor Bears are facing the challenge of a missing star running back, their offense, powered by quarterback Sawyer Robertson and running back Bryson Washington, remains one of the Big 12's strongest.
[4] While the Baylor Bears' offense is projected to remain strong in 2025, their defense, particularly their pass defense, needs significant improvement to match the team's offensive prowess.
[5] For the Baylor Bears to kick off the 2025 season with momentum, their early games against Auburn and SMU will be critical, as these matches will set the tone for the remainder of the season.
