From the near-dead, they arose.

Like Lazarus, Baylor fans rose up from the grave, and the end result was nearly as shocking as its biblical counterpart.

An announced crowd of 42,821 descended on Floyd Casey Stadium for Baylor’s 34-3 season-opening win over Sam Houston State, responding to the “Rise Up!” command cast forth by the school’s administrators over the summer.

Without question, it was an inspiring sight. Patches of empty seats were few and far between. Gold sparkled from one corner of the stadium to the other, and it wasn’t just the reflection of the setting sun.

Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw called it “the best atmosphere we’ve had at Floyd Casey Stadium.”

But want to know what will really be something? When these types of crowds become an every-week occurrence. It’ll be more notable when it hits the point where it’s not notable at all.

“This is what Baylor football needs to be about,” McCaw said.

Baylor’s crowd on Saturday was the third-largest for a home opener in the school’s history. And, in my mind, those previous gatherings are a little skewed by who the opponents were, as the Bears drew slightly better home-opening crowds against Oklahoma in 1973 and Ole Miss in ’75.

Jay Finley runs for a 44-yard TD in the third quarter.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

No offense to the seven Bearkat fans out there, but the Sooners and Rebels are slightly more exciting foes than Sam Houston State.

It all started some three hours before the game even began. Hundreds of fans turned out to participate in the team’s new “March of the Bears,” creating a green and gold-paved road from the team bus to the stadium.

“The Bear walk was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen,” offensive tackle Danny Watkins said.

“It’s very inspiring,” agreed quarterback Robert Griffin. “Even the walk before the game, to see all the people cheering for us, it makes you feel good. It makes you feel like you’re playing college football.”

Baylor fans, you answered the call. You probably sensed the desperation, the need to respond, back in June, when the Big 12 nearly evaporated into the Pacific Ocean mist. New Baylor President Ken Starr has said as much.

So give yourselves a pat on the back, Bear fans. You’ve earned it.

Shoot, I’ll applaud you, too. I’ve taken Baylor football crowds to task at times in the past, including last year against Nebraska, when the unforgivable sin was committed, letting the visiting fans outnumber the home folks.

On Saturday, Baylor fans made that day feel like ancient history. What’s more, the team gave the crowd a reason to come back, flying around the field with excitement in a near shutout of the Bearkats.

But now comes the real challenge. Whether it’s a September game against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent or a late-season conference clash against the hated Texas A&M Aggies, Baylor backers need to show up every week like they did on Saturday.

If not, the Bears may not be long for the Big 12.

“We need everybody back next week for Buffalo,” McCaw said. “This is the kind of atmosphere that Big 12 football programs should experience.”

So, nice work, Baylor fans. You rose up.

Let’s see if you can stay up.

bcherry@wacotrib.com

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