Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway battled through an ankle injury during Saturday’s heartbreaking 17-16 loss to Auburn, and head coach Dave Aranda provided an update on his quarterback following the game.
“It’s an ankle sprain as far as I know,” Aranda said.
Lagway suffered the injury during the first half and was noticeably limited afterward, at one point needing assistance from teammates as he made his way to the locker room. Despite the injury, DJ Lagway remained in the game and nearly led Baylor to a dramatic comeback victory.
Dave Aranda acknowledged that the injury forced Baylor to adjust its offensive game plan, particularly when it came to utilizing Lagway’s ability as a runner.
“There were a fair number of runs in this game that were called, but with him getting hurt, it cut that down,” Aranda said. “I thought that DJ playing through pain and pushing off was tremendous and inspiring.”
Lagway finished his Baylor debut completing 27 of 54 passes for 333 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
His biggest moment came on Baylor’s final possession. With the Bears trailing 17-10, Lagway helped lead a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Freeman with nine seconds remaining.
Baylor elected to go for the win rather than kick the extra point for overtime, but Lagway’s completion to Matthew Klopfenstein on the two-point conversion attempt was stopped inches short of the goal line.
While Baylor begins the season 0-1, Lagway’s status will now be worth monitoring ahead of next week’s home opener against Prairie View A&M.
The good news for the Bears is that Lagway was able to finish Saturday’s game despite the injury. How his ankle responds in the coming days will be the bigger question.
