Senior quarterback Kawaun Jakes missed the second half of Saturday’s game against Arkansas State, but coach Willie Taggart said he is making strides towards returning for WKU’s next game.

Jakes hurt his left knee at the end of the first half on Saturday. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.

“He’s doing a lot better,” Taggart said about Jakes on Monday. “He’ll get an MRI today just to be sure on everything, but he’s doing a lot better and bending his knee and he was on a bike this morning so that was good to see.”

Redshirt freshman James Mauro proved himself to be a more than adequate back-up against ASU in the second half, going 8-of-12 for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Taggart said he has full confidence in Mauro if Jakes can’t return but at this point, he thinks Jakes will be back in time for WKU’s next game, against Troy on Oct. 11.

“We heal differently around here, so I expect for him to go,” Taggart said.