Chris Johnson to start for Baylor in Russell Athletic Bowl

Baylorwill start sophomore Chris Johnson at quarterback against the North Carolina Tar Heelsin the Russell Athletic Bowl on Dec. 29, Bears coach Art Briles told the Orlando Sentinel.

Briles had been waiting to see if true freshman Jarrett Stidham had recovered enough from the broken bone in his foot to begin practicing.

"It doesn't look like he's going to be ready," Briles said Monday, according to the Sentinel.

Stidham beat Johnson for the No. 2 quarterback job behind starter Seth Russell in the preseason. Johnson temporarily moved to wide receiver, but once Russell suffered a season-ending neck injury Oct. 31, he returned to quarterback.

After Stidham was also injured during the first half at Oklahoma State, Johnson came in to throw for 138 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Bears to a 45-35 win in Stillwater. Johnson started Baylor's final two games, though he was knocked out of the regular-season finale against Texas because of a concussion. The Bears lost both.

"He's done an admirable job," Briles said of Johnson. "He's made some mistakes, which are understandable, but we sure feel like we can go out and win with him."