Just ahead of the biggest game in the football program’s history, Baylor has lost one of the men in the trenches who make its high-powered offense possible. And, perhaps, beyond this weekend as well.
A BU official confirmed to David Smoak of ESPN Radio in Central Texas that starting left tackle Spencer Drango will undergo back surgery today. The official company line is that the sophomore has been ruled out for the Oklahoma State game in Stillwater Saturday, although, given the area on which the surgery will be performed, the fear is that he won’t play again this season.
Drango has been dealing with the back issue -- specifically a ruptured disk -- since last month.
Named to several Freshman All-American teams last season, Drango has started 22 consecutive games for the Bears. Fellow sophomore Pat Colbert is listed as Drango’s backup, although it’s possible starting right tackle Kelvin Palmer could flip over to the left side given his experience.
Drango would be the second key piece of Baylor’s offensive lost to a (regular-)season-ending injury this month, joining wide receiver Tevin Reese. At the time of the injury (dislocated wrist) he suffered in the win over Oklahoma, Reese was the Bears’ second-leading receiver.
Additionally, Lache Seastrunk, BU’s leading rusher, missed the win over Texas Tech this past weekend with a groin injury.
