The Bears are 3-0 with wins over TCU, Stephen F. Austin and Rice. The Bears return 13 starters from a team that went 7-6 (4-4). The Bears were projected to finish in the middle of the conference depending on which publication that you use.
QB Robert Griffin III has completed 85% of his passes for 962 yards with 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in 2011. He also rushed for a TD against Rice. "Last spring, Robert didn't get to do any of this (because of ACL surgery)," head coach Art Briles said. "To me it's like he's getting ready for his sophomore season because he played, sat, played. So the thing you also have to think about is this is also his fourth year here in spring, so he's got a lot of experience. A lot of game experience."
RB Terrance Ganaway has rushed for 289 yards on 51 carries (5.7 yards/carry) with 3 touchdowns. Ganaway has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his collegiate career, one that began under Briles at Houston in 2007.
Griffin III and Ganaway will run behind an offensive line that features 2 seniors (OC Philip Blake and RG Robert T. Griffin), 2 juniors (LG Cameron Kaufhold and RT Ivory Wade) and 1 sophomore (LT Cyril Richardson). "This offensive line has a chance to be outstanding," Briles said. "One to five they'll be the best line we've had." It is an offensive line that has allowed Griffin III to be sacked twice so far in 2011.
WR's Kendall Wright and Tevin Reese have combined for 572 yards (420 by Wright) on 41 catches (31 by Wright) with 5 touchdowns (4 by Wright). Of Wright, Briles says "That guy's got a chance to be the best receiver in the nation [this year]. He's coming off his best spring here and is a passionate leader who gives everything he's got every snap." Reese caught 45 passes, which ranked as the second-most in school history by a true freshman. He possesses a 40-inch vertical leap and should only improve his route running as a second-year starter.
Defensively, the Bears are coached by our old friend Phil Bennett. Bennett moved numerous players around during the spring. Linebackers became ends, safeties were moved to linebacker and a former quarterback (Brody Trahan) was moved to WLB. The coaches rave about MLB Elliot Coffey and safeties Mike Hicks and Sam Holl.
