Baylor junior quarterback Seth Russell will be sidelined for the rest of the 2015 college football season. The school announced on Monday that Russell will undergo neck surgery after being injured in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ win against Iowa State on Oct. 24, when he suffered damage to the cervical vertebra.

Russell leads all of college football with a 189.7 passer rating and is tied with Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson for the most passing touchdowns (29).

“Seth exemplifies the spirit and will of our football team,” head coach Art Briles said, “and through this our team will keep that spirit alive and well for him.”

Jarrett Stidham, a true freshman from Stephenville, Texas, will take over the starting job. He’s thrown for 331 yards and six touchdowns in seven games for the Bears this season.

“We certainly have tons of confidence in Jarrett,” Briles said. “He doesn’t seem like a freshman, look like a freshman or perform like a freshman. He’s instinctively and athletically ready to play.

Baylor will visit Kansas State Nov. 5.

MORE: Meet Baylor’s New Quaterback, Jarrett Stidham