Baylor Football: 2013 Big 12 Conference Champs!

December 8, 2013 // Posted In Athletics, Honors, Photo Galleries, Videos

Baylor Football: 2013 Big 12 Champs

Well, THAT’S the way to send out your old home! After 64 seasons at Floyd Casey Stadium, Saturday’s finale held a lot of promise going in, and the Bears came through in every way. So many accomplishments, I’m not even sure which deserves first billing.

Baylor beat Texas, 30-10, to finish the season 11-1 (8-1 in Big 12 play) and win the Big 12 Conference title outright (the Bears’ first conference title since 1980). The 11 wins set a program record (with one game to go), and the Floyd Casey finale drew the largest crowd in Floyd Casey history (despite 25-degree temperatures and wind chills in the teens).

[PHOTOS/VIDEO: Watch highlights from BaylorBears.com, ESPN, FOX and SportingNews || See photos from Baylor Photography, BaylorBears.com and ESPN || FOX interviews Bryce Petty || Read recaps from ESPN and Sports Illustrated]

With the conference title comes Baylor’s first-ever BCS bowl appearance, as the Bears are headed to the Fiesta Bowl. (Their opponent is yet to be determined; tune in to the BCS Selection show Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN to find out who Baylor will face, and stay tuned to your email for ticket info and more late Sunday.) Baylor Athletics will host a press conference with head coach Art Briles and Director of Athletics Ian McCaw Sunday around 8 p.m. to discuss the bowl; that will be streamed live at BaylorBears.com.

With a flood of students and other fans celebrating on the field postgame, the Bears enjoyed first a championship ceremony in which head coach Art Briles and crew received the Big 12 trophy, then followed that up by slowly shutting off the lights at Floyd Casey. Baylor legends from each of Floyd Casey’s six decades flipped one switch apiece, followed by University President Ken Starr and finally Briles, tear streaks still apparent on his cheeks.

[Get your Baylor – Big 12 Champs hats, t-shirts and other gear now from the Baylor Bookstore.]

Next year, the Bears will move into the new $260 million riverfront Baylor Stadium as football returns to campus for the first time since 1936. Located at the intersection of I-35 (one of the nation’s busiest highways) and the Brazos River (Texas’ longest waterway), Baylor Stadium will provide both a scenic view of campus and incredible exposure for the Baylor program — on top of what the Bears will receive from, you know, playing in the Fiesta Bowl this coming New Year’s Day.

Sic ’em, Baylor football — your 2013 Big 12 champs!