Oct 24, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Seth Russell (17) scrambles for positive yards during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor quarterback Seth Russell, who suffered a fractured bone in his neck during Saturday’s game, will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the 2015 season.
The school announced that Russell visited a specialist Monday who recommended surgery, which has a typical recovery period of six months.
“Seth exemplifies the spirit and will of our football team,” head coach Art Briles said in a statement Monday, “and through this our team will keep that spirit alive and well for him.”
Russell was injured in the fourth quarter of second-ranked Baylor’s 45-27 win over Iowa State and suffered damage to the cervical vertebra.
Russell threw for 2,104 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first season as a starter, and ran for 402 yards and six TDs. He led Baylor’s NCAA-best offense to 686.1 yards per game and 61.1 points per contest.
Baylor will turn to Jarrett Stidham, a true freshman quarterback who has appeared in all seven games for the Bears. Stidham has thrown for 331 yards and six touchdowns on 24-of-28 passing. Third-year sophomore Chris Johnson, who had moved to receiver this season, will be the backup quarterback.
Briles said Monday he has confidence in Stidham.
“Seth has been masterful,” Briles told ESPN. “Jarrett is a guy who is as polished as anyone we have had a freshman. He is very, very accurate and has great instincts.”
Baylor (7-0) has a bye week before traveling to Kansas State for a Thursday night game on Nov. 5.
