Former Baylor forward Ekpe Udoh signed autographs and took photos before Saturday’s game as the community gave him a send-off.

The Golden State Warriors chose Udoh with the No. 6 pick in the first round of the draft in June. However, his first NBA season will be delayed after he broke his wrist in July.

“It’s a blessing to be here on a big day for Baylor football,” Udoh said. “The doctors are telling me my wrist is doing great, and I should be ready to play by January or February.”

The Baylor men’s basketball team was presented with its Elite Eight rings during the second quarter of Saturday’s game.

Baylor coach Art Briles throws his cap into the crowd after the Bears’ season-opening win over Sam Houston State.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

Not since the ’70s

The 42,821 fans who attended Saturday’s rout of the Bearkats marked Baylor’s third-largest gathering for a home opener in school history.

In 1973, Grant Teaff’s second season as BU head coach, the Bears drew 46,000 for a season-opening clash against Oklahoma.

Two years later, 43,600 turned out to see Baylor beat Ole Miss, 20-10.

‘Big Smooth’ takes in game

Epke Udoh wasn’t the only first-round pick in attendance for the Bears’ opener.

Jason “Big Smooth” Smith, a former Baylor tackle and a first-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2009, watched the game from the sidelines. He was joined by Denver Broncos center J.D. Walton, a third-rolund pick in last April’s draft.

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