December '15

The diary blog page of Blake (#73) and Sean Muir (#74), brothers, former Sutherland Seahawk players and now Baylor Football offensive linemen.

December 24th 2015

Tomorrow the team heads to Orlando and the bowl site hotel.

The team actually practices on christmas day afternoon as you can see from the schedule below. Blake will start the game at Right Tackle as he did for the Texas game.

It will be yet another christmas away from home and family, but when that happens it means that there's been a bowl game appearance...... that's a good thing. No word yet on the gifts that are made available to players attending the game. Its usually things like clothes, watches, gift vouchers, bags etc.


December 23rd 2015

Taken from the Baylor Athletics bowl guide. his is the itinerary for the team leading up to the Bowl Game in Orlando.

The final OL grading has been published as well. Outland Trophy finalist Spencer Drango again rated out in front, Blake finished in 2nd. Hard to know what it all means as there were several curious gradings of games, but it is what it is. Having a published grading that was 2nd best on the team with the #1 offense in the nation isn't bad.

December 22th 2015,

Some pics of commencement will be up shortly.

In the meantime, here is Blake and his team mates giving a shout out to important people in their life. Let's hear it for Jenny Muir, Blake and Sean's mum.




December 12th 2015,

Exams are going on, then Blake will have his commencement ceremony on Dec 19th at the University in Waco.

The build up media for the bowl game is underway.

December 11th 2015,

Taken from the Senior season recognition upload from Baylor Athletics.



via GIPHY


Some better plays from the Texas game.

This is inverted veer, with Blake back at the Left guard spot.

Shock Linwood takes it out the front side on split zone, Blake again at his normal Left Guard spot.

More inside zone with kick action by the H-back, this time from Right tackle for Blake, and direct snaps to the RB.

Now on the backside of outside zone from the right tackle spot. Here you have to move fast to cut off defenders who are fast flowing.

This play was one of Blake's better ones for the year. Looks like he's shot out of a cannon on the veer release (arc release) getting to the 2nd level to cut the linebacker.

December 10th 2015,

All Conference teams come out for the Big 12. Its a strange world this football thing. Blake was honorable mention in 2014 but wasn't listed at all this year. However, was named on the first team for the Bleacher Report and also first team for ESPN! Nice to see that someone is watching, but it really makes you wonder what really goes into all these lists.

He joins team mates Corey Coleman, Spencer Drango and Andrew Billings on the 1st team selections for Bleacher Report.

ESPN noted how well Blake performed compared to Spencer Drango who was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the year.

Also, from Coach Briles' press conference last week, some kind words about the offensive line unit.

December 9th 2015,

Some great pics of Blake on Senior Day and Sean out there for warm ups early with the other Centers courtesy of Jim Black.

December 8th 2015,

Blake has 5 exams this week; Sean has a full slate of exams too. Blake's hoping they're the last he ever has to take as he graduates next week and family are heading over to see the ceremony.

The team gets a week off to rest and then has practices scheduled in the lead up to the Bowl game which is held in Orlando, Florida. It will be Blake and Sean's first trip to Florida.

Blake’s away games attended…..

2011 (Travel Squad) Seattle, Washington; Las Vegas, Nevada; Ruston, Louisiana; San Jose, California; Moscow, Idaho.

2012 Los Angeles, California; Provo, Utah; San Diego, California; Fort Collins, Colorado; Fresno, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado.

2014 Buffalo, New York; Ames, Iowa; Austin, Texas; Morgantown, West Virginia; Norman, Oklahoma; Arlington, Texas; Arlington, Texas.

2015 Dallas, Texas; Arlington, Texas; Lawrence, Kansas; Manhattan, Kansas; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Orlando, Florida.

Add to that, all the games in Hawaii and in Waco, Texas. (Might make a map of all his games)

It will come to 37 starts from 37 games played. Blake missed 1 game from sickness (Cotton Bowl 2014) and missed 5 practices in total (1 in 2012, 4 in spring 2014.) Not bad for such a tough grueling sport.


December 7th 2015,

Well, nothing in a programs planning includes losing your 3rd QB to injury and having to use your punt returner to run your offense but that's what happened to Baylor against Texas and ultimately they lost at home for the 2nd time this year 23-17.

Its a terrible way to end a regular season that could have been the best ever. They are now 9-3 and will play North Carolina in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Dec 29th (30th in Australia).

Blake has one game remaining in his college career. He made his 36th start, this time at Right Tackle for the first time. Here is his bio as honored with the other seniors.

A full report can be found here.





December 5th 2015

Baylor has reached the last regular season game. The game against the Texas Longhorns will kick off at 4am Sunday morning Sydney time. A win in this game will alsmot certainly send Baylor to the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day vs an SEC team, quite possibly Ole Miss.

For Blake it is his last home game, and will be his 36th start from 36 career games. Baylor's senior class has a lot of wins under its belt and has seen a lot of success.

December 2nd 2015

Caught up with former Seahawk Adrian Thomas today via messenger. He's in the UK at the moment working for a consultancy firm. Enjoying life over there. Football really has taken him around the world. His 5 years at Hawai'i 2006-2010 saw him start 16 games and attend the 2006 Hawaii Bowl, 2007 Sugar Bowl, 2008 Hawai'i Bowl and 2010 Hawai'i Bowl. The team was ranked 10th in 2007 and 16th in 2010.

After Hawai'i, football took him home and to Germany to play.

One of the best players to every go through the Sutherland Seahawks club.

Blake on his recruiting trip to Hawai'i with Coach Gordy Shaw and Adrian Thomas back in 2010.

December 1st, 2015

A lot of pics this year of Blake on the way to games.

The Bears are in the building. #SicTCU

A photo posted by @bufootball on Nov 27, 2015 at 1:38pm PST

November Part 2 '15

The diary blog page of Blake (#73) and Sean Muir (#74), brothers, former Sutherland Seahawk players and now Baylor Football offensive linemen.


November 30th 2015,

Well, all good things must come to an end. The TCU game was wet, it was cold and it ruined what was a highly anticipated game, arguably the most highly anticipated game leading into 2015.

It could never match the 61-58 contest from last year although it did come down to double overtime, TCU winning 28-21 in the end when Baylor couldn't convert on 4th down. Both teams were without several starters and both teams played out of sorts. 5 turnovers from Baylor hurt, in particular a fumble on 3rd down when inside the TCU redzone. A field goal there with 10min remaining would hav ebeen enough for a win.

As it turns out, with Oklahoma winning, Baylor will probably end u in the same spot it would have with a win. The likely outcome with a win over Texas this saturday is that the Bears will go to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Years day and play against the #2 SEC team, most likely Ole Miss or Florida.

Blake played a nother solid game despite the fact that everything about the timing and play selection for the offense was topsy turvy. It was impossible to catch a ball and they ran it 71 times. Blake got through it okay, his wrist still bothered him a little and it wont be till he gets 3 weeks off leading into the bowl game that it will get back to 100%.

Some better plays from the highlights.




Two plays there. One on the gola line where Blake has been great all year and gets so low in his stance, he is impossible to submarine. Second play is where he springs Johnny Jefferson in the longest run of the game with the power play and takes out 2 defenders.





Again, here on the goal line, this time on the play side of power. The backer has walked down over the center and so its iso blocking while Broxton pulls and Chafin runs tight and straight to the endzone.

This was the final TD in overtime. A jump pass, unorthodox but in the conditions scores were manufactured an way possible.





November 27th 2015,

So its Thanksgiving Day today in the US. The boys had lunch with team mates at the Ferrell Center on campus.

Over the years they've had some great days on public holidays in the US. Christmas', Thanksgiving, Independence Day and so on. It looks like New South Wales has 11 public holidays and Texas has 10.

Tomorrow's game means that the players didn't really get to venture too far from school for those who live in Texas. Tomorro'ws game starts at 11.30am Sydney time.

November 24th 2015,


A couple of plays that are nice to look at. Easy to run power when they dont try to spill the run. Who knows why they thought this was a good idea but Baylor ended up with 300 yard rushing.





This is how you stick someone in the dirt who is trying too hard to get vertical on a pass rush inside.





November 23rd 2015,

What a game, one of the team's best. Despite needing 3rd string Qb Chris Johnson to take over from Jarrett Stidham who sprained his ankle, the Bears beat the Cowboys 45-35 in Stillwater.

A full recap can be found here.

The team had over 300 yards rushing and inflicted the first defeat of the season for Oklahoma State who were ranked 4th at the time. The Bears now have to regroup for a Friday night game at TCU which will be played saturday 11.30am in Australia.

Blake played another solid game, his 34th career start and came through just with the carry over wrist sprain and eye infection that annoyed him leading into it.

No telling yet what will happen in terms of starting QB for this week, its a short week and a huge game. If everyone remembers back to last year's contest it ended up being the best game of the year and no doubt TCU will still want revenge for it.



November 21st 2015,

The camera seems to love Blake on the away game plane trips.

The Bears are on the ground in Oklahoma. #SicOSU pic.twitter.com/TLScmv6WGg

— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) November 20, 2015

November 20th 2015,

Blake was named to the All-Big 12 Academic for the 2nd straight year to go with his 2012 All Mountain West selection.

Blake was selected to the first team with 4 team mates. 

November 19th 2015,

The Oklahoma State game will be 11.30am here in Sydney. There is a stream available from the Big 12 that can be paid for which will probably be the best way to watch in in Australia.

Blake has had to take some antibiotics for an infection from a cut from his helmet. Should be fine, no fever, just precautionary. You'll probably notice the wrist support in the remaining games as well,  just to stay on top of spraining it any further.

Wasn't much motivation to go through and pick out and make gifs from this game since it was a loss, but here are 2.

This cut back on the Dart lead had a nice 2nd level cut from Blake to effect the defender.




Caught OU in a blitz here with the playside end going outside. Blake and Kyle buried the Nose tackle.





November 17th 2015,

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

The Bears went down 44-34 to Oklahoma on the weekend, ending the chance at an undefeated season. The team took a lot of injuries in the game and Oklahoma had a great strategy. The team will have to re-group for the game at Oklahoma State this week to keep hopes alive for a Big 12 Championship.

Blake played fairly well and managed a wrist injury that has hung around since the Kansas State game. he played every snap at left guard. The offensive line unit had a tough game with the design of the front that Oklahoma ran. A full recap of the game can be found here.

Some good news for the offensive line, although I'm sure its little consolation from the loss, they have been named as Semi-finalists for the Joe Moore Award. The award will name 5 finalists on November 30th. Baylor is the only Big 12 school on the list of 20 schools.

November '15

The diary blog page of Blake (#73) and Sean Muir (#74), brothers, former Sutherland Seahawk players and now Baylor Football offensive linemen.

November 13th 2015,

Here is a great inside look at the locker room and uniform stores for the Baylor football team.

November 12th 2015,

Baylor are ranked #6 in the College Football Playoff poll for the 2nd straight week. The mantra is, 'win out'; same as it was to start the year.

With the improved competitiveness over the last few weeks from Oklahoma, this week's game has taken on greater significance and pre-game anticipation. Oklahoma (8-1) are ranked #12, having played one less game than Baylor.

The game will be featured on College Game Day and be shown in Australia live 12.30pm on Sunday on ESPN.

Come early, be loud and wear black Saturday to help create the best home field advantage. #SicOU #EveryoneInBlack pic.twitter.com/WUuJQjVNkQ

— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) November 11, 2015

Blake's bodyweight is staying solid at 315lb from day to day which is pretty much what was planned. His wrist will be taped this week after spraining it last week vs Kansas State but its merely the usual kind of thing that happens this deep into the season.


November 7th 2015,

A couple of plays from yesterdays game.

Not much to do for Blake on this but this was a great throw by QB Jarett Stidham off the power look.




Another throw off the power play. Baylor's offense did a lot of different things in the Kansas State game.




A good example of how sometimes when you're at the point of attack you need to keep your feet moving and lean into it for as many yards as possible.





If the pass rusher wants to go inside..... then take him there and stick him in the dirt.




Here is another power play. The defender does the right thing and 'wrong shoulders' Blake. Blake then counters with digging him out so he doesn't fall further into the running lane.





Effect the 2nd level, even if they don't want any of it.




Lastly, a great way to finish things off.





November 6th 2015,

And then they're back on the plane for the ride home. Baylor wins a tighter game 31-24 at Kansas State and are now 8-0 for the season. Details here.

Loaded up and headed back to Waco. #RoadW pic.twitter.com/KB422fxBfK

— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) November 6, 2015

Well its game day. Unfortunately the game isn't actually being shown in Australia so its streaming. Check out this link to the Big 12 site.

Team has arrived in 'The Little Apple', pics below.

The Bears are on the ground in Manhattan. See you tomorrow night at 6:30pm on @FS1. #SicKSU pic.twitter.com/bJcpnHaJUS

— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) November 4, 2015

Loaded up and headed to Manhattan, Kan. #BusinessTrip #SicKSU pic.twitter.com/ugYjgeLgI9

— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) November 4, 2015

November 4th 2015,

November!?! How did we get here so fast? Is it really just six weeks till the end of semester? Blake graduates in six weeks, family will visit, hopefully their able to see the Texas game as well. 5 years has gone by...... at pretty much the speed that 5 years usually goes by.

Its good to see that Blake is still faring well compared to his peers. Spencer Drango is accumulating award mentions at record pace. The latest acknowledgement is for the Wueffel Award, one award that goes beyond just playing skills and conduct but also community service. This goes with the Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award.

The team leaves for Manhattan, Kansas on wednesday for the Friday night game vs Kansas State. QB Jarrett Stidham will make his first start for the injured Seth Russell. That has been the big news of course but the Baylor will attempt to roll forward with the season regardless. Kickoff time will be 11.30am in Sydney on Friday morning.