2011 Baylor Bears football team
American college football season
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The 2011 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Art Briles and played their home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. They are members of the Big 12 Conference. They finished the season 10–3, 6–3 in Big 12 play to finish in a tie for third place with Oklahoma (whom they defeated during the season). The ten wins tied a school record for wins in a season while the 6–3 conference record is its best since joining the Big 12. They were invited to the Alamo Bowl where they beat Washington, 67–56, for their first bowl win since the 1992 John Hancock Bowl.
| 2011 Baylor Bears football | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
Alamo Bowl champion | |
Alamo Bowl, W 67–56 vs. Washington | |
| Conference | Big 12 Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 12 |
| AP | No. 13 |
| Record | 10–3 (6–3 Big 12) |
| Head coach |
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| Co-offensive coordinators |
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| Offensive scheme | Veer and shoot |
| Defensive coordinator | Phil Bennett (1st season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Home stadium | Floyd Casey Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 Oklahoma State $ | 8 | – | 1 | 12 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 15 Kansas State | 7 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 13 Baylor | 6 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 16 Oklahoma | 6 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | 5 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | 4 | – | 5 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M | 4 | – | 5 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa State | 3 | – | 6 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas Tech | 2 | – | 7 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kansas | 0 | – | 9 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Junior starting quarterback Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Baylor player to win the award.
Recruiting
Baylor's recruiting class was ranked #46 by Rivals.com and #50 by Scout.com.[1][2]
Regular season
Building on the success of the previous year's team, Baylor began the season at home with a 50–48 upset of then #14 TCU, winners of the previous season's Rose Bowl.[3] The Bears won their next two games against Stephen F. Austin and Rice at home, before traveling to Kansas State where they lost a tightly contested game 35–36 to the greatly improved Bill Snyder-coached team.[4][5][6] After defeating Iowa State 49–26 at home, the Bears finished October losing two straight on the road at Texas A&M and eventual conference champion Oklahoma State.[7][8][9]
The Bears rebounded to finish the regular season with five straight victories including a Homecoming win over Missouri, a 31–30 overtime victory at Kansas in which Baylor tied a school record by overcoming a 21-point deficit in the 4th quarter, and the program's first win over then #5 Oklahoma on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Griffin to Terrance Williams with 8 seconds remaining in the game.[10][11][12] Baylor concluded November in Dallas playing against Texas Tech in Cowboys Stadium; although Griffin left the game due to a concussion at the half, backup Nick Florence entered the game to lead the Bears to a 66–42 victory.[13] Baylor's win over Texas Tech was their first since 1995.[14]
The Bears finished the regular season at home with a 48–24 victory over then #22 Texas that propelled the team (9–3, 6–3 Big 12) to the Alamo Bowl with #12 and #15 BCS and AP rankings respectively.[15] The victory also propelled quarterback Robert Griffin III to the top of the Heisman Trophy voting; he became the first Baylor player to win the award and the first Baylor player since Don Trull in 1963 to factor significantly in the voting.[16]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 14 TCU* | ESPN | W 50–48 | 43,753 | ||
| September 17 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 19 (FCS) Stephen F. Austin* | No. 19 |
| W 48–0A | 43,090 | |
| September 24 | 6:00 p.m. | Rice* | No. 17 |
| FSN | W 56–31 | 40,088 |
| October 1 | 2:30 p.m. | at Kansas State | No. 15 | ABC/ESPN | L 35–36 | 49,399 | |
| October 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Iowa State | No. 25 |
| FSN | W 49–26 | 41,625 |
| October 15 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 21 Texas A&M | No. 20 | FX | L 28–55 | 87,361 | |
| October 29 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 3 Oklahoma State | ABC/ESPN2 | L 24–59 | 58,274 | ||
| November 5 | 6:00 p.m. | Missouri |
| FSN | W 42–39 | 40,194 | |
| November 12 | 1:00 p.m. | at Kansas | W 31–30 OT | 35,188 | |||
| November 19 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 5 Oklahoma | No. 25 |
| ABC/ESPN3 | W 45–38 | 40,281 |
| November 26 | 6:00 p.m. | vs. Texas Tech | No. 21 | FSN | W 66–42 | 51,615 | |
| December 3 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 22 Texas | No. 19 |
| ABC | W 48–24 | 46,543 |
| December 29 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. Washington* | No. 15 | ESPN | W 67–56 | 65,256 | |
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- ^AGame was called at the end of the 3rd quarter due to lightning.
Game summaries
Missouri
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 7 | 7 | 0 | 25 | 39 |
| • Baylor | 0 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 42 |
- Date: November 5
- Location: Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, Texas
- Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- Elapsed time: 3:45
- Game attendance: 40,194
- Referee: Greg Burks
- TV announcers (FSN): Joel Meyers (Play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (Color) & Jim Knox (Sideline)
| 1 | 8:04 | MU | Henry Josey 6-yard run (Trey Barrow kick) | MU 7–0 |
| 2 | 12:33 | BAY | Terrance Williams 6-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | 3:38 | MU | Henry Josey 2-yard run (Trey Barrow kick) | MU 14–7 |
| 2 | 0:01 | BAY | Robert Griffin III 1-yard run (kick blocked) | MU 14–13 |
| 3 | 13:12 | BAY | Terrance Williams 28-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Robert Griffin III run) | BAY 21–14 |
| 3 | 1:24 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 38-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 28–14 |
| 4 | 13:46 | MU | Trey Barrow 30-yard field goal | BAY 28–17 |
| 4 | 8:22 | BAY | Tevin Reese 68-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 35–17 |
| 4 | 7:05 | MU | Marcus Lucas 24-yard pass from James Franklin (Kendial Lawrence run) | BAY 35–25 |
| 4 | 6:53 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 80-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 42–25 |
| 4 | 3:55 | MU | T.J. Moe 17-yard pass from James Franklin (Trey Barrow kick) | BAY 42–32 |
| 4 | 1:59 | MU | L'Damian Washington 15-yard pass from James Franklin (Trey Barrow kick) | BAY 42–39 |
Oklahoma
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 3 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 38 |
| • Baylor | 3 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 45 |
- Date: November 19
- Location: Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, Texas
- Game start: 7:00 p.m. CST
- Elapsed time: 3:49
- Game attendance: 40,281
- Referee: Mike Defee
- TV announcers (ABC/ESPN3): Joe Tessitore (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Erin Andrews (Sideline)
| 1 | 5:34 | OU | Mike Hunnicutt 47-yard field goal | OU 3–0 |
| 1 | 1:09 | BAY | Aaron Jones 34-yard field goal | Tied 3–3 |
| 2 | 7:14 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 15-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 10–3 |
| 2 | 2:38 | OU | Blake Bell 3-yard run (Mike Hunnicutt kick) | Tied 10–10 |
| 2 | 2:23 | BAY | Tevin Reese 69-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 17–10 |
| 3 | 13:13 | OU | Trey Millard 5-yard run (Mike Hunnicutt kick) | Tied 17–17 |
| 3 | 11:11 | OU | Blake Bell 1-yard run (Mike Hunnicutt kick) | OU 24–17 |
| 3 | 6:39 | BAY | Kendall Wright 87-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | Tied 24–24 |
| 3 | 1:15 | BAY | Jordan Najvar 13-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 31–24 |
| 4 | 12:49 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 11-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 38–24 |
| 4 | 5:55 | OU | Blake Bell 5-yard run (Mike Hunnicutt kick) | BAY 38–31 |
| 4 | 0:51 | OU | Blake Bell 6-yard run (Mike Hunnicutt kick) | Tied 38–38 |
| 4 | 0:08 | BAY | Terrance Williams 34-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 45–38 |
Baylor's first victory over Oklahoma in school history.[20]
Texas Tech
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | 7 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
| • Baylor | 10 | 21 | 21 | 14 | 66 |
- Date: November 26
- Location: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Game start: 6:00 p.m. CST
- Elapsed time: 3:44
- Game attendance: 51,615
- Referee: Randy Christal
- TV announcers (FSN): Bill Land (Play-by-play), Dave Lapham (Color) & Emily Jones (Sideline)
| 1 | 11:13 | BAY | Aaron Jones 28-yard field goal | BAY 3–0 |
| 1 | 6:57 | BAY | Kendall Wright 33-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 10–0 |
| 1 | 3:39 | TT | Kenny Williams 5-yard run (Donnie Carona kick) | BAY 10–7 |
| 2 | 14:54 | BAY | Robert Griffin III 4-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 17–7 |
| 2 | 10:55 | TT | Eric Ward 2-yard pass from Seth Doege (Donnie Carona kick) | BAY 17–14 |
| 2 | 8:40 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 4-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 24–14 |
| 2 | 7:57 | TT | Darrin Moore 43-yard pass from Jacob Karam (Donnie Carona kick) | BAY 24–21 |
| 2 | 1:36 | BAY | Robert Griffin III 3-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 31–21 |
| 2 | 0:14 | TT | Kenny Williams 14-yard run (Donnie Carona kick) | BAY 31–28 |
| 3 | 10:09 | BAY | Kendall Wright 46-yard pass from Nick Florence (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 38–28 |
| 3 | 6:05 | BAY | Terrance Williams 40-yard pass from Nick Florence (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 45–28 |
| 3 | 2:26 | BAY | Joe Williams 90-yard interception return (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 52–28 |
| 3 | 0:14 | TT | Kenny Williams 14-yard run (Donnie Carona kick) | BAY 52–35 |
| 4 | 14:03 | TT | Eric Ward 33-yard pass from Seth Doege (Donnie Carona kick) | BAY 52–42 |
| 4 | 9:33 | BAY | Nick Florence 1-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 59–42 |
| 4 | 6:24 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 4-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 66–42 |
Robert Griffin III was knocked out just before halftime with a concussion.[21]
Texas
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 7 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| • Baylor | 14 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 48 |
- Date: December 3
- Location: Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, Texas
- Game start: 2:30 p.m. CST
- Elapsed time: 3:22
- Game attendance: 46,543
- Referee: Reggie Smith
- TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Samantha Steele (Sideline)
| 1 | 14:38 | BAY | Kendall Wright 59-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 7–0 |
| 1 | 8:03 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 20-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 14–0 |
| 1 | 0:33 | TEX | Blaine Irby 2-yard pass from Case McCoy (Justin Tucker kick) | BAY 14–7 |
| 2 | 10:53 | TEX | Luke Poehlmann 3-yard pass from Case McCoy (Justin Tucker kick) | Tied 14–14 |
| 2 | 7:40 | TEX | Marquise Goodwin 80-yard pass from Case McCoy (Justin Tucker kick) | TEX 21–14 |
| 2 | 4:39 | BAY | Aaron Jones 22-yard field goal | TEX 21–17 |
| 2 | 0:50 | BAY | Robert Griffin III 2-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 24–21 |
| 3 | 13:04 | TEX | Justin Tucker 39-yard field goal | Tied 24–24 |
| 3 | 11:34 | BAY | Terrance Ganaway 1-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 31–24 |
| 3 | 7:21 | BAY | Robert Griffin III 10-yard run (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 38–24 |
| 3 | 1:18 | BAY | Aaron Jones 40-yard field goal | BAY 41–24 |
| 4 | 7:43 | BAY | Terrance Williams 39-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Aaron Jones kick) | BAY 48–24 |
Alamo Bowl
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 7 | 28 | 14 | 7 | 56 |
| • Baylor | 21 | 3 | 29 | 14 | 67 |
- Date: December 29
- Location: Alamodome, San Antonio
- Game start: 8:00 p.m. CST
- Elapsed time: 3:41
- Game attendance: 65,256
- Referee: Ron Cherry
- TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline)
On December 4, 2011, Baylor accepted an invite to represent the Big-12 in the 2011 Alamo Bowl. Their opponents were the Washington Huskies of the Pac-12.[23] The game was played at the Alamodome. The crowd of 65,256 represented the 5th largest attendance in the history of the bowl game. A very good showing since the highest ever attendance at an Alamo bowl was only 66,100 which was set several years before. The Bowl officials stated it was also the most exciting college football game ever witnessed at the Bowl.
The contest became the second-highest scoring bowl game in history, and the highest-scoring regulation bowl game ever. Baylor went up 21–7 early in the game, with Griffin throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another. The Huskies roared back with 28 unanswered points, and the teams finished the half with Washington leading 35–24. In the second half, with the defenses showing limited ability to cope with the high-powered offenses led by Griffin and Husky QB Keith Price, the teams traded scores. The Bears overcame the halftime deficit, going ahead for good 60–56 halfway in the 4th quarter, and Baylor RB Terrance Ganaway tacked on a final 43-yard touchdown run with 2:28 left to play. Ganaway finished with 21 carries for 200 yards and 5 TDs, and was recognized as the game's offensive MVP. The victory represented Baylor's first bowl win since a victory in the John Hancock (Sun) Bowl in 1992. With the win, Baylor had their first 10-win season since 1980.[24]
Awards and honors
- Davey O'Brien Award: Robert Griffin III
- Heisman Trophy: Robert Griffin III
- AP Player of the Year: Robert Griffin III
- Sporting News Player of the Year: Robert Griffin III