When Robert Griffin takes his first snap tonight, he’ll feel a wide spectrum of emotions.

All eyes will be on Baylor’s talented quarterback when he plays his first game in almost a year in the season opener against Sam Houston State at 6 p.m. at Floyd Casey Stadium.

“I’m sure I’m going to be excited, anxious and nervous,” Griffin said. “My coaches and teammates will help calm me down. I don’t think I have anything to prove, but I’m definitely ready to get back on the field. It will be a big moment for me.”

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin will play in his first game tonight against Sam Houston State since injuring his knee against Northwestern State on Sept. 26, 2009.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

This will be Griffin’s first game since going down with a season-ending knee injury in Baylor’s 68-13 win over Northwestern State on Sept. 26, 2009. Griffin underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last October, and has worked diligently to get back on the field.

Bulked up to 220 pounds due to offseason weight work, Griffin has performed spectacularly throughout preseason camp. Though he’s always possessed a good arm, he’s gotten even stronger and has impressed teammates and coaches with both the distance and accuracy of his throws.

But the biggest question will be how Griffin reacts when his knee gets hit. Always a fearless quarterback, Griffin plans to play with the same abandon he’s always exhibited.

“People have asked me if I want to get that first hit out of the way,” Griffin said. “I’m not going out there looking to run into anybody. Hopefully, my offensive line will take care of those guys. Whenever I get hit, it will happen, and I’ll get up and wave to the crowd.”

With the offensive weapons around him, Griffin doesn’t believe he needs to run as much as he did in the past. As a freshman in 2008, Griffin was Baylor’s second-leading rusher with 843 yards and 13 touchdowns while also passing for 2,091 yards with 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

“I’ll run when I have to,” Griffin said. “I’ve got the talent around me that I don’t have to run. In the past couple of scrimmages, I haven’t really been running at all. But we’ve been moving the ball, and that’s a good thing. It’s not about me getting rushing yards and touchdowns. All I want to do is win football games.”

Targets are weapons

Led by Biletnikoff Award candidate Kendall Wright and speed burner Lanear Sampson, Griffin has a deep corps of receivers. With veterans like Krys Buerck and Brad Taylor and young talents like Terrance Williams, Willie Jefferson and Josh Gordon, Griffin will be able to spread his passes around.

After rushing for just 370 yards last season, Baylor coach Art Briles expects senior running back Jay Finley to be healthy after struggling with ankle problems. Terrance Ganaway, Jarred Salubi, Isaac Williams and Glasco Martin will add depth to the backfield.

“We had some good backs when I first got here, but we’ve got more depth now,” Griffin said. “We’re a lot deeper at receiver as well, and we’re clicking on all cylinders. The receivers know when I’m going to throw the ball and how I’m going to throw it.”

Though Briles can’t wait to see Griffin in game action, he said he’s not worried about his star quarterback taking a hit.

“The perfect game would be for Robert to never touch the ground,” Briles said. “But he’s a man. It’s not like he’s going to twinge and shy away. I’m not anxious for him to get hit, but he’s healthy and he understands that it’s going to happen.”

With Griffin back in the lineup, first-year Sam Houston State coach Willie Fritz will have even more problems to deal with. The Bearkats struggled defensively last year, but they hope to improve this season with the help of two former Central Texas high school stars — La Vega linebacker Will Henry and University free safety Victor Carmichael.

“It’s unfortunate that he (Griffin) got hurt last year,” Fritz said. “He’s obviously got a lot of talent, and is a guy who can beat you with his feet or his arm. He can really throw the ball, and from what I’ve heard he’s only gotten stronger.”

Griffin hopes the Bears can take their first step toward a bowl game with a win tonight. While six wins is the magic number to become bowl eligible, Griffin doesn’t want to stop there.

“They still have us ranked at the bottom of our division and don’t expect us to make a bowl,” Griffin said. “That’s all things we want to rewrite. Once we get six wins, it won’t be the end of our season. We’re not going to chalk it up and be like, ‘All right, let’s go party.’ ”

BEAR FACTS: Baylor will start a new football tradition with “March of the Bears” at 3:30 p.m. today. Fans can meet at the Baylor Sports Network tent located by Snickers Touchdown Alley to watch Art Briles and his team march into Floyd Casey Stadium...A community sendoff will be held for former Baylor basketball star Ekpe Udoh from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. today at Snickers Touchdown Alley. Udoh will be available for autographs and photos...The Baylor basketball team will receive its Elite Eight rings during the first quarter of today’s game.

jwerner@wacotrib.com

757-5716

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