Reflections on the 2013 Baylor football season
Like many of you, I’m still hurting a little from the Bears’ Fiesta Bowl loss Wednesday night. But I’m doing my best to keep it in perspective; remember, it was just three years ago that we were ecstatic to make any bowl. Now, we’re disappointed to have lost a BCS bowl.
The 2013 season won’t be defined by the bowl defeat. (After all, no one harps on the 1974 or 1980 teams for losing their bowl games; we remember the conference titles, the Miracle on the Brazos, etc.) In the moment, it’s easy to forget that Baylor won 11 games for the first time in school history, including two of the biggest victories in the program’s 112 years. Let’s remember:
- The 41-12 “blackout” victory over then No. 10 Oklahoma.
- Reaching No. 3 in the AP poll and No. 4 in the BCS, both program records.
- Closing out Floyd Casey in style with a win over Texas to clinch Baylor football’s first Big 12 title.
- The Bears’ first BCS bowl selection.
- An offense that set the NCAA record for most points scored in a 13-game season and set school records for both passing and rushing yards.
- Plenty of individual honors, including the fourth Bear ever to receive Heisman votes, a program-record five All-Americans, and the Big 12 Coach, Offensive Player and Offensive Lineman of the Year.
- New program records for single-game and average home attendance.
Back in August, we noted that media outlets were predicting a fun 2013 for Baylor football. The season certainly lived up to that; can’t wait to see what next year holds — particularly as we move into a new stadium!
Sic ’em, Baylor football!