“Doing those things is just a small way of paying back our appreciation for all they’ve given to the football program and the university over the last four or five years,” Briles said Sunday. “It was all about them. It was a great win for the seniors and Baylor University.”
Briles didn’t know until Sunday morning that the seniors huddled together at midfield after the game and kissed the BU emblem.
“If I had known they were going to do it, I would have been in the middle of it,” Briles laughed.
Falling out of bowl contention following four straight losses, Baylor badly needed a shot in the arm. The Bears could have easily won two of those games, dropping a 32-20 decision at Nebraska and a 31-28 homecoming loss to Missouri.
Though a 4-7 overall record and a 2-5 league mark isn’t what Briles envisioned, the Bears beat their biggest rival and won their first game against a Big 12 South team since a 44-34 decision over Oklahoma State on Nov. 19, 2005, at Floyd Casey Stadium.
“Until you cross that bridge, you’re not really sure you can,” Briles said. “We crossed a big one Saturday for a variety of reasons. We won a Big 12 South game over a tough opponent. It’s a game that will help us build momentum and belief. I’m glad we could enjoy the win with our fans and our student body. We fight together as the Baylor family, and we need to celebrate together.”
Briles felt all week that the Bears were going to play one of their best games of the season. The practices were focused and energetic, and he could sense that his team was prepared by gametime.
“By Thursday, I got the feeling that something special was going to happen, and we followed through,” Briles said. “When we went through our Friday workout, we were focused, calm and confident on both sides of the ball. We felt like we were prepared and that we would execute during the game.”
Bears on fire offensively
Charged by a season-high 43,549 fans at Floyd Casey Stadium, the Bears looked crisp offensively from the start and finished with 510 total yards. With Jay Finley piling up 116 yards, the Bears rushed for their most yards ever in a Big 12 game with 269. Freshman quarterback Robert Griffin threw the ball effectively as he hit 13 of 23 for 241 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
Baylor’s defense played one of its best games of the season by limiting the Aggies to 308 total yards and forcing five turnovers. Baylor middle linebacker Joe Pawelek continued his brilliant season by intercepting two Jerrod Johnson passes to give him six for the season.
“We played well up front on both sides of the ball,” Briles said. “Our offensive line held out the pressure, and Robert felt very comfortable in the pocket because we gave him time. The defensive line got great push and effort and pressured them all day. Getting to the quarterback is a lot about second and third effort.”
The Bears will have a bye week before playing No. 2 Texas Tech in the season finale on Nov. 29 in Lubbock. While the Red Raiders face No. 5 Oklahoma Saturday in Norman, Briles believes the extra week of preparation can benefit the Bears.
“Coming off a win, we can slowly build our emotion for the last game,” Briles said. “I like having another week to prepare. It gives us more chances to hang out with the guys and play football until nearly the end of the semester.”
BEAR FACTS: Baylor receiver Brad Taylor sprained an ankle near the end of Saturday’s game, and Briles listed him as doubtful for the season finale.
Having witnessed multiple times the obnoxious taunting many Aggies participate in when they win sure makes it fun to read the whining comments of their supporters when they get their tails throroughly kicked like they did last Saturday. I hope "beating the h---" out of the Aggies becomes the norm for the Bears in the future years as well. Sic 'em Bears!!!!!!!
Don't talk about class and then proceed to whine and wallow all over the place....You said "Baylor sucks" and that, by implication, is just as bad, if not worse, than me telling you where to stick your thumb.....Come on aggie, quit the whining and take your loss like a man and let Baylor celebrate a victory....
Good job Trib Staff. Starting this week with an improved BAYLOR/Big 12 PODcast, that was truly Baylor first and then Big 12 coverage, it set the tone for a great week. I know you guys work like 7 days a week, and Sunday's is probably your biggest day off. I would just like to see one blog added to what you already do.........the day after blog entry. I think that would be cool. It might take like 10-15 minutes, but I think it would be a cool touch. And now that I know you guys listen to the voice of the people, I'm going to put that one little suggestion in there and that will be all for this year. Good work this season guys!, keep it up and I hope you keep the POD casts going through the Big 12 championship and Big12 coverage in bowl games.
You can always count on an Aggie whining about class after they lose. Pooooor oversensitive Aggies. You can dish it out but you can't take it. Here's a couple of tips on class: 1. Yelling "Beat the hell outta [opponent]" is not classy. 2. Running up the score to 73-10 is not classy.
Hey Fred don't you have anything better to do like uncover the conspiracy behind the alledged moonlanding or that Waco City Council was the real masterminds behind the 9/11?
Video preview: "A Modest Aggie"
BEARS MAUL AGGIES
Comments
By Brazosdog
Nov 18, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
You know, my grandaddy always said, "When you throw a rock into a pack of dogs the first one hit will yelp." Smart man, my grandaddy.
I think collies are dogs, right?
By Bear
Nov 17, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
hjames, you shouldn't tell the Aggies to take it like a man, that would involve farm animals for them which paints an all too distrubing picture.
Enjoy reaping what you sow farmers!!
Sic'em Bears!!!
By Don
Nov 17, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Where's Fred? Oh wait...
By Houston Bear
Nov 17, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Having witnessed multiple times the obnoxious taunting many Aggies participate in when they win sure makes it fun to read the whining comments of their supporters when they get their tails throroughly kicked like they did last Saturday. I hope "beating the h---" out of the Aggies becomes the norm for the Bears in the future years as well. Sic 'em Bears!!!!!!!
By hjames
Nov 17, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Hey aggie...
Don't talk about class and then proceed to whine and wallow all over the place....You said "Baylor sucks" and that, by implication, is just as bad, if not worse, than me telling you where to stick your thumb.....Come on aggie, quit the whining and take your loss like a man and let Baylor celebrate a victory....
By Trey Willis
Nov 17, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Good job Trib Staff. Starting this week with an improved BAYLOR/Big 12 PODcast, that was truly Baylor first and then Big 12 coverage, it set the tone for a great week. I know you guys work like 7 days a week, and Sunday's is probably your biggest day off. I would just like to see one blog added to what you already do.........the day after blog entry. I think that would be cool. It might take like 10-15 minutes, but I think it would be a cool touch. And now that I know you guys listen to the voice of the people, I'm going to put that one little suggestion in there and that will be all for this year. Good work this season guys!, keep it up and I hope you keep the POD casts going through the Big 12 championship and Big12 coverage in bowl games.
By 91Bear
Nov 17, 2008 4:03 AM | Link to this
Funny how cowardly Fred never shows up when the Bears win.
By 91Bear
Nov 17, 2008 3:29 AM | Link to this
You can always count on an Aggie whining about class after they lose. Pooooor oversensitive Aggies. You can dish it out but you can't take it.
Here's a couple of tips on class:
1. Yelling "Beat the hell outta [opponent]" is not classy.
2. Running up the score to 73-10 is not classy.
Scoreboard. 41-21. Cry, Aggie, cry!
By McCavebear
Nov 17, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this
Great job Baylor Bears! The team dominated everything: Defense, Offense and special teams! We even saw so razzle dazzle!
That long drive really killed the maroons. What abou the time of possession? A whopping MORE than a Quarter than the farmers had it!!!
That really euthanized 'em... Large Baylor crowd too! --and supportive!
Thanks Coach Briles and staff! This is one to build on.
By Nuff Said Fred
Nov 16, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Fred don't you have anything better to do like uncover the conspiracy behind the alledged moonlanding or that Waco City Council was the real masterminds behind the 9/11?
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