Nate Bennett First Start
Baylor Rules Out DJ Lagway With Ankle Injury And Names Nate Bennett Starter
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Key Points
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Lagway was injured in the first half against Auburn but returned to the game with his ankle heavily taped before finishing with 333 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
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Bennett has appeared in five games over the past two seasons as a backup to Sawyer Robertson, completing 6 of 9 passes for 53 yards.
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Lagway’s Auburn performance accounted for more than three-quarters of Baylor’s 436 total yards, underscoring how significant his absence could be to the Bears’ offense.
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Baylor’s leading offensive contributors against Auburn included running back Dawson Pendergrass, who had 25 carries for 88 yards, and receiver Gavin Freeman, who caught 12 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns; Jadon Porter added five catches for 77 yards.
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Baylor’s game against Prairie View A&M is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET and will stream on ESPN+.
Baylor will start junior quarterback Nate Bennett against Prairie View A&M on Saturday after starter DJ Lagway suffered an ankle injury in the Bears' season-opening 17-16 loss to Auburn. Star-Telegram reported Lagway is unlikely to play, though the injury is not expected to sideline him long term. Bennett has appeared in five games over two seasons as a backup, completing 6 of 9 passes for 53 yards.
Lagway's absence looms large: he threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn, accounting for more than three-quarters of Baylor's 436 total yards. The Bears may lean more on running back Dawson Pendergrass and receivers like Gavin Freeman, who caught 12 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn.
Bennett Gets His First Career Start
Nate Bennett will take the field for his first career start after spending two seasons as a reserve. SI confirmed Bennett will replace Lagway in the Saturday night matchup. The junior has limited game experience but steps in after Auburn exposed Baylor's offense to early-game pressure.
Bennett will face a Prairie View A&M team ranked well below Baylor in talent and preparation. Saturday's 8:08 p.m. ET kickoff at Waco offers Bennett a chance to build confidence and rhythm without the defensive pressure Auburn brought to week one.
How Baylor Lost to Auburn Without Committing Turnovers
Baylor fell 17-16 to Auburn despite strong offensive output. Lagway threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns but also had an interception and a lost fumble. His late two-point conversion attempt fell just short, costing the Bears a potential win.
Running back Dawson Pendergrass carried the ball 25 times for 88 yards. Receiver Gavin Freeman emerged as a star, catching 12 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Five other catches for 77 yards went to Jadon Porter, showing Baylor spread the ball around effectively.
Bennett's Test Against Prairie View Offers Redemption
NBC DFW reported Baylor defeated Prairie View A&M 44-3 with Bennett starting. The backup threw for 301 yards and two touchdown passes in his first career start, showing offensive competence. The lopsided victory gave Bennett confidence heading into conference play.
The game streamed on ESPN+ and marked Baylor's first home game of 2026. Bennett's strong performance suggests Lagway's injury may not cripple the offense long-term. Baylor's receiving depth and running game proved capable of moving the football even with an untested quarterback.
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