Looking out of the press box window at Floyd Casey Stadium on Saturday night, I turned to a Trib colleague and said, “This is astounding.”

About that time, a Baylor graduate who flew in from out of state for the season opener against Sam Houston State texted me: “Wow. Impressive crowd.”

I’ve covered Baylor football games for 29 seasons, and I’ve never been more amazed by a crowd at Floyd Casey Stadium.

You expect big crowds to show up for the Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma games even if they aren’t all wearing green and gold. You don’t expect 42,821 fans to show up for a season opener against a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) team like Sam Houston State.

When Baylor officials asked fans to “Rise Up” after the Big 12 almost disappeared this summer, people obviously took the message to heart. They came out in force and the Bears sent them home smiling with a 34-3 win.

It wasn’t just a matter of fans dutifully showing up for the game.

A big freshman Baylor Line gathered at Floyd Casey Stadium to welcome the Bears on the field.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

Many had been there since early morning to start their tailgate parties, and some were still there when I left the stadium at 11 p.m.

All-day affair

A big throng of people gathered outside the stadium as Baylor’s team bus arrived, forming a welcoming line for the Bears to walk through. Both Baylor coach Art Briles and quarterback Robert Griffin called the new “March of the Bears” inspirational.

I walked through Snickers Touchdown Alley about two hours before the game and saw how much fun people were having. It had the feeling of a special event, not just a game.

I found former Baylor basketball star Ekpe Udoh signing autographs, and he was glad to be invited to the season opener for a community sendoff after he was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the sixth pick in the first round of the NBA draft in June.

“It’s a blessing to be here for the football team’s season opener,” said Udoh with a smile stretching across his face.

That good ol’ Baylor Line

Looking like his old self, Griffin sprinted out of the tunnel and led the Bears through the biggest Baylor Line I’ve ever seen. The Class of 2014 stretched from one sideline to the other several rows deep.

“It’s good to run out of the tunnel, not walk,” said Griffin, who missed the last nine games of 2009 with a knee injury. “I just soaked in the moment.”

Inspired by the lively atmosphere, the Bears came out on fire and blew out to a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Griffin looked like he hadn’t missed a beat following last fall’s knee surgery as he hit Brad Taylor and Terrance Williams with touchdown passes and scrambled for a 30-yard touchdown that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

“It was amazing, honestly,” Briles said Sunday. “When you see a full stadium, it’s a deal where we felt like we needed to produce and perform. The crowd gave our guys a lot of energy, and that’s why we came out pretty hot.”

After Jay Finley broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown run to open up a 28-0 lead early in the third quarter, the Bears had trouble finding their offensive rhythm again. Aaron Jones hit a pair of field goals, but the Bears felt they could have put some more touchdowns on the board.

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 59 yards and a score in Saturday’s 34-3 win over Sam Houston State.
Jose Yau/Waco Tribune-Herald

Work left to do

“We lost a little intensity and missed some offensive opportunities,” Briles said. “We began pressing a little bit. We missed a couple of opportunities in the third quarter, and that was all about execution.”

While Baylor’s defense performed well throughout the game, Briles said the Bears need more consistent offensive execution as they prepare for Saturday’s second home game against Buffalo.

Though Griffin finished 19 of 36 for 242 yards and two touchdowns, he was barely off-target on numerous throws and had a pair of scoring passes dropped.

The Bears’ rushing numbers looked good as they finished with 200 yards on 25 carries including Griffin’s 59 yards on six carries. But with Sam Houston State stacking the line of scrimmage, the Bears had trouble getting rushing yardage on several key downs.

Briles said Griffin could get more rushing attempts in the future depending on game situations. But he was impressed by his star quarterback’s burst 11 months after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

“Fast guys don’t get slow,” Briles said. “If it’s there, it’s there.”

The Bears hope to look up in the stands and see another packed house against Buffalo.

All those fans aren’t just window dressing. They’re an inspiration.

jwerner@wacotrib.com

757-5716

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