Sunday, November 02, 2008
By Brice Cherry
Tribune-Herald staff writer
In the first half of Baylor’s 31-28 loss to No. 14 Missouri on Saturday, the offense was idling, but one could sense the engine humming.
When the Bears finally shifted into drive, they used fourth gear.
Baylor converted 4-of-4 attempts on fourth down, including three huge plays on a pair of third-quarter touchdown drives that brought the Bears from a 14-point deficit back to even.
Baylor vs. Missouri
- » Bears throw scare into #14 Mizzou in 31-28 loss
- » Notebook: Briles bites tongue about officiating
- Updated team stats
- Full game summary
ON THE FIELD
VIDEO: THE
From BU coach Art Briles’ perspective, the Bears were in it to win it, even if that meant going for it on fourth-and-short on his own end of the field.
“We’re in a situation where we don’t need to play close,” Briles said. “We don’t need to try to hit a tying field goal at the end. We need to try to win the football game, and against a team as powerful as Missouri is on offense, if you get a fourth-and-1 you’d better try to go for it, because if you end up punting the football to them, it could go from seven (points down) to 14 real fast.”
Certainly, Baylor’s go-for-it mindset worked to play keep-away from the explosive Missouri offense, which entered the game averaging 47.4 points per game. But it was also evident that the Bears believed they had some dynamite on their side, too.
“We never lost confidence that we could come out and do it,” said tight end Brad Taylor.
“I don’t think it’s just psychology,” said receiver Thomas White of the fourth-down tries. “The fact is, we have some talented football players on this team, and we believe that. . . . We have Big 12-level talent right now, and that’s why we expect to win when we go out there.”
After a successful fourth-down conversion in the waning moments of the first half, Briles and the Bears came out willing to gamble in the third quarter. On a fourth-and-2 from the Bears’ own 39, Griffin scooted for four yards and a first. Four plays later, Griffin electrified the team and the crowd with an even bigger play on a fourth-and-1, as the quarterback rolled outside on a keeper, stiff-armed Missouri’s Stryker Sulak in the backfield, then bounced to the outside for a 34-yard gain.
Now bubbling over with energy, the Bears popped into the end zone four plays later.
Griffin said the decisions to go for it on fourth down were made completely by Briles, but they certainly had the thumb’s up of the offensive unit.
“He was the one making the decisions,” Griffin said. “If he’s going to send the punt team out there, we’re not going to go over and chew him out. . . . But if he says we’re going for it, we’re all for it.”
Despite eventually stalling out with an interception on their final possession, the Bears still displayed their pedal-to-the-metal attitude in the wake of the heartbreaking defeat.
“We know we have a good offense,” Jay Finley said. “When we’re clicking and we’re not stopping ourselves, I don’t believe anyone can stop us.”
Comments
By TexasCowhand
Nov 5, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah, Bear1 (what a misnomer!). Baylor could have had Singletary "drop trou" for them instead of the 49ers. Gee, wouldn't that have been great. He won't even be the 49ers coach next season and you Baylor grads should be happy he isn't there. Great pick, so-called Bear1! Not!
By Bring Litter...Get a BU Ticket
Nov 4, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Stephen, your post had me cracking up. It also reminded me of some friends who came into town and saw this ad where Baylor would lower the ticket price to $2.00 if you brought your church program, or empty water bottle or candy wrapper. Desperate?
I work for a very large corporation that supports BU and in return is given tickets to sporting events. As you may have guessed, we can't even give the tickets away.
I enjoy this blog for the overly optimistic BU fan comments and the Baptist attacking and name calling of those they feel do not "believe". I can feel the Baylor warmth and love alive in Waco.
PS Jon was my spelling and grammar correct?
By Stephen
Nov 3, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
You think Baylor has a chance to beat Texas?!!?? Wow, I've never laughed so hard in my life! How stupid can one be? Are you kidding? Is your post a joke? It must be, because no one in their right mind would post such an ignorant comment. I have a better chance at winning the lottery than Baylor has at even competing with UT. I thought Baylor was better at educating their students--I guess they don't teach common freakin' sense! Typical Baylor--you'll show up with 2000 students/fans, only to be outdone by 17,000 UT fans. Maybe Shipley's will offer the "free ticket for a doughnut special" once again--then you can have 2500 students/fans. What a pathetic "athletic" program!
By I dont agree
Nov 3, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
No I dont agree. 150,000 plus in and around Waco.
No one cares.
By Waco Native
Nov 3, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
I feel the Baylor football team and coaches are doing a great job this year. It's fun to watch a team with the desire and passion to win. There is no doubt this team is turning into something special. I'll be watching this weekend, and I fully expect Baylor to beat Texas. Is there anyone who agrees with me?
By Waco Native
Nov 3, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
I feel the Baylor football team and coaches are doing a great job this year. It's fun to watch a team with the desire and passion to win. There is no doubt this team is turning into something special. I'll be watching this weekend, and I fully expect Baylor to beat Texas. Is there anyone who agrees with me?
By Some bear fans crack me up
Nov 3, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
You boneheads actually see improvement in this program? At what level? I guess when your program is the laughing stock of college football that simply showing up to the stadium on time warrants merit. Your punter is an absolute disgrace--yet he's in contention for an award? Incredible. Your fan base is disgraceful--you couldn't sell out Floyd Casey stadium if Garth Brooks was opening for the cubs. Seriously, is there any school spirit in this town (other than the 5 bloggers here)? I've been in Waco for 4 years and have yet to come across anyone who gives a &$# about the Baylor football program. But your other sports are great, right? When was the last time anyone cared about women's basketball? Maybe I'll catch your team's chess match on espn9 next week! Well, at least you have a new facility to practice in---you certainly need it. Maybe you could join the ranks of Pop Warner and perhaps win more than 3 games per season! I'll gladly suggest that to Ian!
By I ain't smart Jon
Nov 3, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Jon,
I am not very smart niether. i nevver got one of them high dollar fancy pants baylor college educations like you was soo luckie to get. I went to GL Wiley and my shcool was closed.
But I learned enough to no that them baylor bears was beat by tigers.
I smell feet....de feet of the Bears 3 more times.
94 was a bad year too
By jonatbaylor
Nov 3, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
"By Almost, Nearly, Could Have.....
Nov 3, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Let me try to help you baylor fellas understand something.
Baylor LOST the football game. 15,000 Empty seats on Homecoming.
13th year in the Big 12 Bayulor 3-9 again."
If you are going to criticize a team, at least learn how to spell. Whatever you choose to say loses merit when it shows a 6th grade education.
By comokez
Nov 3, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Baylor is obviously improved offensively and played inspired defensive football on saturday. With talent like Griffin, if Briles can improve the overall talent level and depth with Texas boys, the south will just continue to get tougher in the Big12. I am not looking forward to you guys coming to our place next year after we graduate 13 starters.
[1 2 3] next
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.
Post a comment
*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.