Tuesday August 17, 2010 9:03 PM Posted by gobears20
BaylorFans.com is holding a contest for all Baylor registered members on the Message Boards once again. This will be the seventh year that this contest has been held on this Website! The winner of the contest will be chosen at the end of the year based on who chooses the most correct winners of each weekly contest combined. One point will be awarded for each correct guess. In case of a tie, the tiebreaker will be determined on who entered their picks first in the very last week of the contest. If you edit your picks during the last week of the contest, that would be your latest entry recorded date and time. You will have to have the Week 1 picks in by Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 6:00am CST. You have over two weeks to enter Week 1 of the contest and this will give everybody a chance to get in on this contest. The contest is more user friendly this year allowing you to view your weekly results and scores. The winner of this contest will be able to select one prize out of a, Nintendo WII, Sony PlayStation 3 120GB, Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite, Sony - 3D*/Internet Connectable/Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Disc Player...etc.
The 2007 winner of this contest was, Tylerbear. The 2008 winner of this contest was, sicem530. The 2009 winner of this contest was, fubar.
I would like to thank the sponsors for all of their help because without the sponsors, I would not be able to put out contests like this and offer prizes like this!
Thursday September 2, 2010 6:04 PM Posted by staff
No Xs and Os here. Every Wednesday during the 2010 football season, "This is Bear Country" Blog will take an unconventional (and somewhat random) look at Baylor's opposition that week. This week's 'What's Not in the Game Notes' focuses on Baylor's season-opening opponent, Sam Houston State:
Separated by a mere 135 miles, Baylor and Sam Houston State will meet on the football field this weekend for only the third time. When SHSU fielded its first athletic team in 1906, the Bears had been playing football for seven seasons (Baylor did not field a team in 1906). By the time Sam Houston State played its first football game in 1912, Baylor....LINK: http://www.baylorbears.com/blog/this...try.html#shsu1
MEDIA INFORMATION
Radio: Baylor/ISP Sports Network (ESPN/KRZI 1660AM Waco; Sirius/FamilyNet Radio Ch. 161) | list of complete affiliates
Internet Audio: BaylorBears.com
Television: none
Internet Video: None
Live Stats: BaylorBears.com
SERIES
Baylor leads 2-0
Waco: Baylor leads 2-0
Huntsville: never met
Neutral: never met
First Meeting: Baylor, 13-9 [Sept. 22, 1990]
Last Meeting: Baylor, 27-6 [Sept. 20, 2003]
BAYLOR BEARS
Record: 0-0, 0-0 Big 12
Ranking: NR/NR/NR (AP/USA/BCS)
Head Coach: Art Briles
Career Record: 42-44 (8th season)
Baylor Record: 8-16 (3rd season)
vs. SHSU: 1-0
Top Returning Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Jay Finley [79 att., 370 yards, 1 TD]
Passing: Nick Florence [165-266, 1786 yards, 6 TD-9 INT]
Receiving: Kendall Wright [66 rec., 740 yards, 4 TD)
Tackles: Antonio Johnson [81 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks]
SAM HOUSTON STATE BEARKATS
Record: 0-0, 0-0 SLC
Ranking: NR (FCS)
Head Coach: Willie Fritz
Career Record: 136-52-1 (18th season)
SHSU Record: 0-0 (1st season)
vs. Baylor: 0-0
Top Returning Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Bryan Randolph [16 att., 33 yards, 0 TD]
Passing: Bryan Randolph [15-35, 97 yards, 0 TD-0 INT]
Receiving: T.J. Jones [3 rec., 23 yards, 0 TD]
Tackles: Kenneth Jenkins [87 tackles, 7.0 TFL]
THE RUNDOWN
Year three of the Art Briles era in Bear Country commences Saturday, Sept. 4, when Baylor hosts Division I FCS member Sam Houston State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT at Floyd Casey Stadium. Saturday's home opener marks the 61st season of Floyd Casey Stadium as the home of Baylor football. It will also mark the return of sophomore QB Robert Griffin III, who missed the last nine games of the 2009 season with a knee injury. Griffin III is surrounded by an array of offensive weapons, including junior IR Kendall Wright and senior RB Jay Finley.
Nowhere is Baylor's steady improvement under Briles more evident than in the back-to-back recruiting classes his staff put together in 2009 and 2010 -- the school's highest-ranked signing classes in the Big 12 era. The 2010 signing class was ranked 39th nationally by Rivals.com, including a defensive backfield rated fifth nationally.
Baylor's roster includes 47 returning lettermen and 13 scholarship redshirts from 2009, six scholarship newcomers added in the spring and 18 signees reporting in the fall.
The Bears, which open the 2010 season with six straight games in the state of Texas, finished the 2009 season with their second consecutive 4-8 campaign under Briles. Baylor went 2-4 at home last season -- its 11th home losing record in the last 14 seasons.
After a 5-6 record in 2009, Sam Houston State enters 2010 under the guidance of first-year head coach Willie Fritz. The 14th head coach in Sam Houston State program history, Fritz posted a 97-47 record in 13 seasons as head coach at the University of Central Missouri.
RG3 IS BACK
The 2010 season will mark a comeback for Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III, who suffered a well-publicized, season-ending knee injury in the third game of 2009. The good news for Baylor's program came last November, when the Big 12 Conference approved Griffin's hardship waiver request, resulting in the 2009 season becoming a redshirt year and the retention of three seasons of eligibility. So RG3 is a redshirt sophomore in 2010 and ready to play this fall on a surgically repaired knee. The former freshman All-American (2008) went through fall drills, including scrimmage situations. "Robert is right on track to be where he needs to be," head coach Art Briles said following the spring. "We're excited about him being ready to go in the fall." The dual-threat quarterback is a former All-American track hurdler who has thrown for 2,572 yards and accounted for 34 touchdowns in 15 career games.
FLOYD CASEY STADIUM HOME OPENERS
The 2010 season marks the 61st season of Floyd Casey Stadium as the home of Baylor Bears football. Baylor, which is 170-142-5 (.544) all-time at Floyd Casey Stadium, is 40-20 in FCS home openers -- 8-6 in the Big 12 era and 0-2 under third-year head coach Art Briles.
YES, THERE ARE TWO ROBERT GRIFFINS
For the last two seasons, there was only one Robert Griffin on the Baylor football team -- QB Robert Griffin III. This season, there are two Robert Griffins -- RG3 and Robert T. Griffin (no relation). RTG, a right guard, enrolled at Baylor in January 2010, transferring from Navarro Junior College.
SUCCESS VS. CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION
When Baylor opens the 2010 season against Sam Houston State, it will mark just its 26th game against NCAA Division I FCS (formerly Division I-AA) competition. Baylor is 23-2 (.920) against FCS opponents, including a combined 17-1 (.944) record against current Southland Conference programs. Baylor has won 10 consecutive games against FCS teams. The Bears' last FCS loss came in 1981 against Lamar, which reinstated its football program in 2010 after a 21-year hiatus.
RG3 BATTLE-TESTED IN NON-CONFERENCE
Sophomore QB Robert Griffin III has been electrifying in his first 15 games and he has posted rather impressive passing numbers in non-conference play. Griffin owns a flawless touchdown-to-interception ratio in seven career non-conference games, tossing 11 TDs without throwing an INT. Griffin III is 92-of-147 (62.6 percent) for 1,237 yards against non-conference foes.
SEVERAL GRADUATES ON BAYLOR ROSTER
Baylor's roster boasts six student-athletes who have earned their undergraduate degrees. The six graduate players are seniors Tim Atchison (FS), Mikail Baker (DB/KR), Chris Buford (DT), Derek Epperson (P), Jay Finley (RB) and Brad Taylor (TE). An additional four student-athletes are on pace to graduate in December; the quartet includes seniors Antareis Bryan (CB) and Phil Taylor (DT), junior Terrance Ganaway (RB) and sophomore Robert Griffin III (QB).
Baylor is tied for second among Big 12 schools and is tied for 11th nationally among Division I FBS programs with six graduates on its active roster.
EPPERSON NOMINATED FOR 2010 LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Baylor senior punter Derek Epperson is one of 30 NCAA football bowl subdivision student-athletes selected as a candidate for the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in football.
Epperson, a Southlake, Texas native, is one of nine candidates on the list with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. Just three years after enrolling at Baylor, Epperson graduated with a double major in management and management information systems in August. He is one of six student-athletes on the 2010 Baylor football team with an undergraduate degree.
A four-time member of the Dean's List, Epperson has also racked up quite a few awards on the field. He earned honorable mention All-America honors and was a consensus All-Big 12 pick after punting for a 44.8-yard average during the 2009 season. Additionally, Epperson has been named to the Ray Guy Award watch list in each of the last two seasons, including selection as a semifinalist in 2008. In his first season at Baylor, he earned freshman All-American honors in 2007.
To be considered for the Senior CLASS Award, student-athletes must have notable achievements in four areas of excellence -- community, classroom, character and competition. The award's name is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School.
The candidate pool will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season. The 10 finalists will be placed on the official ballot that will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans. For more information on all 30 candidates, visit www.seniorclassaward.com.
GRIFFIN III ON TRIO OF WATCH LISTS
Entering the 2010 season, Baylor sophomore QB Robert Griffin III is listed on three different award watch lists for the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award and Manning Award. In July, he was listed among 30 quarterbacks on the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, which is presented annually to the best college quarterback by the Davey O'Brien Foundation.
In August, Griffin III was added to the watch lists for the Maxwell and Manning Awards. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the nation's most outstanding college football player since 1937. The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Opening Statement...
"It's time. It is finally here. We are as anxious and ready as everybody in this room and hopefully everybody outside. A lot of time, effort, energy, anxiety, hope, restlessness all gets to begin this Saturday at 6 p.m. at Floyd Casey Stadium. It is an exciting time all across America, but especially right here at Baylor University because we certainly feel like we have a lot to prove and have the people that can do it."
On Robert Griffin III's first game back since season-ending injury in 2009...
"I'm not anxious at all. Perfect games (are when your quarterback) never touches the ground. You get a quarterback in the game and get him out and he never hits the floor, that's a great game. I'm not anxious at all for him to get hit. I understand that it is going to happen but he is well. He is healthy. If you remember back to his injury (in 2009), it was a non-contact injury anyways. It was not a hit that caused the injury; it was just a planting of the foot. Football is a physical game. It is for physical people. It is a challenge of your manhood every time you step on the field. It is not like all of a sudden he is going to cringe and shy away. He is a man. He is a man who is representing a university and a football team. He will play his butt off."
On adjustments made from fall camp...
"I think without a doubt there is a renewed excitement. As fun as fall camp is, it does kind of wear a little bit toward the end. Our guys have done a really good job throughout this fall camp. I think we have done a good job with them, staff-wise, of keeping them fresh, keeping the energy level up and not leaving everything on the practice field. We have a lot to prove on Saturday and the Saturdays ahead and we are trying to make sure we are geared up for that. It is a little bit different this week because our Sunday yesterday is going to be our Sunday this coming week. This practice schedule is a little bit different leading up to game week. We will take off a little bit earlier than we normally will. Other than that, it is getting to the game, getting our players on the field and being productive once we get there."
On the importance of playing well and creating momentum...
"It is just about winning. How else can you create excitement? You win football games. There is no excitement over playing well and not winning. To me, that is what it is all about. You go win and then you look at what went right and what did not go the way you wanted it to and you correct it. We are not out trying to win points for style. What we are trying to do is make sure this counts number one in the correct column. That is our goal."
On this year's defense compared to last year's defense...
"I don't think anybody is saying that we are going to be better; unless somebody can pull out a quote where I have said that we are going to be a better defensively this year. I might have said that we are going to be faster or we are going to be a little more fearless. We are going to feel real comfortable about the players we have on the field and the positions they are at. We will judge where we are at as the season progresses. We know we are going to play some people that can play, starting with Sam Houston State this weekend. They are going to expose some things that will give us an opportunity to work on because that is what happens every game. I think we will pass judgment once we have the opportunity to judge."
On senior defensive nose guard Phil Taylor...
"I like Phil, always have. I really am proud of the way he has progressed throughout the spring and summer physically and mentally. He is down to 338 (pounds). He has done a great job with (Assistant AD for Athletic Performance) Kaz (Kazadi) and the strength program binding nutrition and work. He has really changed his body physically where I think he can sustain for longer periods of time. He is a lot tougher mentally which I know sounds a little strange. Why would a guy that is 6-4, 340 not be as tough mentally as what you would want him to be? But it is a reality and a good sign of that is that he tweaked his knee a little bit and kind of hyper-extended his knee and we were going to hold him from the scrimmage the following day but he was adamant about going. So it's as good as it gets, you know? He is good and he is really going to make a difference."
On senior linebacker Antonio Johnson...
"The first word on him is passion. He has instinct, a guy who plays from the inside out and I have always admired people like that. I think that's how you play - you start with your soul and your heart and then you go to your blood and veins and you turn that to the outside, he does that. That's what he brings to the table and without question that is one of the greatest assets that he brings. And then he has the unique ability of making a play in an unorthodox fashion; he is really an instinctive football player on the field and he is a great leading force."
On specific things the team is emphasizing this Saturday...
"There are a couple of things we would like to do well. We would like to rush the ball well offensively. We're not going to do it out of stubbornness but we will do it out of opportunity. Defensively, we want to show that we can be a fast football team and have guys all over the field playing with a lot of fearless effort and have guys really hustling to make plays in a controlled manner. We also want to be very sound with our special teams. That is something that we are really looking for."
On senior running back Jay Finley...
"Unless I'm wrong, I think he is 100 percent. We had a great practice yesterday. The thing I love about Jay is that he runs mad with the football. He's a nice guy when he's walking around but put a football in his hand and he gets real mean, and I like that. He really runs with a lot of intensity, passion and drive so he brings an element to the field and that is fire. That's what you look for in a football player and that's what you look for in people in everyday life. He is someone who can do something on the field and inspire the team."
On Coach Briles saying he would rotate a lot of the players...
"We have so much talent in the secondary that we're all going to be able to play and we'll all be able to go out there and do what we need to do to contribute to this team."
On his teammate, Antareis Bryan...
"He's shown a lot of hard work, he's made a lot of plays and he's finally healthy. He has all the athletic ability in the world; he's big, fast, strong, explosive. He has every characteristic to be a great corner."
On the Bears still having a lot left to prove as a team...
"We're not really worried about that. We're just taking it one game at a time. We have some goals in mind but we're just going to do what we know for this game and then go from there."
On the importance of the season opener...
"We're going to be ready every game, especially on our home turf. It doesn't matter who's out there; we have to defend our turf and we're excited to play and definitely excited for this season. Regardless of who is out there, we're going to play our hardest every play."
On how he will feel on Saturday...
"I'm going to be excited, nervous, anxious, ready to go. I don't really feel like I have anything to prove but I am definitely excited to get back out there on the field. It will be exciting and my teammates and coaches will help calm me down and my parents and everybody. It will be a big moment for me, but I'm not going to try and look it that way. I just want to go back out there and have it be another game and come ready to execute."
On the practices over the summer...
"I've improved personally throughout the practices. The team has improved, as a unit lately. We've been clicking lately in practice and that is a good thing. We're not really peaking but we're steadily growing. We will be ready for this first game."
On what he will do after the first hit...
"I'll get up. People are asking do I want to just get hit and get it out of the way. I'm not looking to go out there and just run into somebody but hopefully my offensive line will take care of that. Getting hit is a part of football; I got hit a lot my freshman year and it was never a problem. I'm not a soft quarterback so whenever I get hit it will happen and I'll get up from it and wave to the crowd."
On playing smarter now that he's suffered such a big injury...
"I slid a lot last year and that made me feel soft. I will try to play smarter and only run when I have to. I have the talent with these skilled guys around me that I don't have to run. The past couple of scrimmages I've just been throwing the ball and not really running at all and we've been moving the ball. It's not about me and rushing the ball or getting yards; it is about winning football games so if I just let those guys make plays and we can do that then I'm fine with that."
On last year's injury...
"People think it was the hit but it wasn't. The hit didn't even hurt it was actually right before the hit. As soon as I planted, my foot got stuck and it just snapped. I didn't even feel the hit but you know sometimes things happen like that."
On the importance of game one...
"People ask me if there is a game that I look forward to and I have to tell them no because you have to treat every game the same. But yeah this game is a little special because it is the building block to conference and will show how we're going to do. I think we can set a good foundation going into conference."
On the goal of getting to the bowl game...
"I've never been to a bowl game, but everyone talks about it. Listening to Coach Briles and just kind of learning as I'm going here that's what our goal is - our ultimate objective. So once we get there it will be some sweet pride."
On Coach Art Briles...
"Coach doesn't change and that is the great thing. Pressure doesn't get to him and that is a great thing about him as a coach. He expects a lot out of us and that is great, too. We were in game mode last week and this week we are feeling good."
WACO, Texas - With the Baylor football team in the final days of practice leading into its Sept. 4 season opener against Sam Houston State, fans planning to attend any of the Bears' six 2010 contests at Floyd Casey Stadium should take note of improvements designed to enhance their game-day experience. Many of the changes were the result of an extensive survey of 2009 Baylor season and single-game ticket purchasers conducted last winter.
Arguably the most noticeable improvement to all will be the new wall-to-wall Hellas Matrix playing surface installed over the summer. The new surface has received rave reviews from the Bears, who have conducted a pair of fall scrimmages on it. With the new turf, which replaces an artificial surface that was installed in 2004, the beige rings outside the playing field have been replaced by the new surface and the end zones are solid Championship Gold with the Baylor spirit mark reversed out in green.
After working with State, County, City and University officials since the end of the 2009 campaign, a new traffic pattern around Floyd Casey Stadium will be implemented beginning with this week's game against the Bearkats, and improved directional signage should be in place to assist fans.
All fans who plan to utilize the general public parking areas (Lots D, E, F and G) on the East side of Floyd Casey Stadium or lots H, J, K and L to the North of the stadium, should use either Clay or Dutton Avenues to reach those parking lots. Fans who travel to Waco via I-35 from either the North or South and who park on lots in the East side of the stadium should take the 17th/18th Street Exit and travel via 17th Street to Clay or Dutton Avenues to enter the parking areas.
Fans who hold credentialed parking passes for Floyd Casey's Green, Brown, Sky Box, Gold, Creekside and Handicap lots, should plan to enter at the main entrance off Valley Mills Drive or at the credentialed entrance on Dutton Avenue. I-35 travelers who hold credentialed parking passes should use the Valley Mills Drive exit and continue to the stadium's main entrance for admission into their designated parking area.
While large crowds expected for all 2010 home games, given the new traffic pattern around the stadium, school officials encourage all fans to allow for extra time in traveling to the stadium early in the season.
For those football fans who desire to avoid parking at Floyd Casey Stadium, Baylor Athletics and Waco Transit will again co-sponsor the Gold Rush Tailgate Shuttle, which will run continually starting three hours prior to kickoff of each home game from Waco's Heritage Square with a scheduled stop at Vitek's before dropping fans near Snickers Touchdown Alley at Floyd Casey Stadium. This free service will return fans to their cars following the game, too, leaving from the same point fans were dropped off prior to the game.
Baylor fans are also encouraged to join the Baylor Sports Network 2.5 hours prior to each home football game (3:30 p.m. for the Sept. 4 opener) to welcome Bears' coach Art Briles and the 2010 Bears as they arrive at Floyd Casey Stadium. The team will arrive at the Baylor Sports Network tent near Touchdown Alley on the Dutton Street side of the stadium, and weather permitting, march through the tailgating area on their way into the stadium for pre-game warm-ups.
Baylor football legends, as well as the Golden Wave Marching Band and Baylor Spirit Squads, all plan to be on hand each week to welcome the Bears to their home den. While supplies last, complimentary hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided for guests who visit the Baylor Sports Network tent before the March of the Bears.
Among other 2010 Floyd Casey Stadium enhancements:
Snickers Touchdown Alley will continue to open three (3) hours prior to kickoff and for the first time ever, KCEN-TV will broadcast the Baylor ISP Sports Network Tailgate Show on cable TV in Central Texas (check local listings). The Baylor Football Tailgate Show, hosted by John Morris and Derek Smith, hits the air two (2) hours prior to kick for all Baylor games, home and away, and will broadcast from the stage near Touchdown Alley at every home game.
All stadium gates will now open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
Nearly all stadium concession stands will now be equipped to handle credit card transactions
Improvements have been made to several of the stadium's restrooms, and the entire stadium underbelly has received a new coat of paint.
J.D. Walton, the Bears' 2009 All-America center, has joined the Baylor Legends who are featured on life-sized banners around Floyd Casey Stadium. Walton's banner now hangs in the stadium's Northeast corner.
A field wrap, designed by Baylor graduate Grant Wiede and produced by Waco's W Promotions, has been installed on all four field-level walls inside the stadium. The North and South End Zone wraps feature the Bears' 2010 Seniors, while the East and West Stadium walls feature select corporate partners and Baylor spirit marks.
The Texas Farm Bureau customer appreciation lot, located near the stadium's Green parking lot, will also offer limited complimentary parking spaces on game day for its members. Texas Farm Bureau members can show their membership cards at the Valley Mills Drive entrance to Floyd Casey Stadium and receive free reserved parking each game (limited spaces available).
A commitment to enhanced Baylor spirit displays with Baylor flags and banners along Valley Mills Drive around Floyd Casey Stadium.
Fans are also reminded that all bags are subject to search upon entering the stadium and that the following items are prohibited at all Baylor sporting events,
Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives)
Outside food and beverages, cans, bottles, coolers
Laser pointers, artificial noisemakers, strobe lights
Video cameras or professional cameras (large lenses)
Umbrellas
Radios or other audio devices without headsets
Large bags or parcels including backpacks and large purses
Season and single-game tickets for the Bears' 2010 season remain on sale and may be purchased online at baylorbears.com, in person at the Ferrell Center box office or by calling the Athletic Ticket Office at 254.710.1000.
The Ferrell Center ticket office will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Aug. 30 thru Sept. 3 in advance of the Bears' Sept. 4 opener against Sam Houston State.
