Never Before

It is quite impressive when someone can say they have done something that has never been done before, I don't care what it is. But when two teams can say they were part of something that had never been accomplished before in the 99 year history of football bowl games, that, my friend is impressive. Such was the case for the sold out Valero Alamo Bowl, played in San Antonio Thursday, January 29. In a game that was billed the "last" college game for Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, a little known sophomore quarterback from Washington did his best to steal thunder from Baylor's most famous player ever.

The Washington Huskies gave Baylor all they wanted offensively, but, thankfully, had a worse defense than even the Bears did. Ironically, for a game that had all the offensive fireworks of a 4^th of July celebration, arguably the most important play was a defensive play near the end of the game. When Washington appeared poised to once again take the lead from Baylor, the Bears rose up to finally stop the Huskies on a critical fourth and eight play that might have cost Baylor the game, had the Bears not stopped them for the first time all evening. On the next play Baylor running back Terrance Ganaway put the game in the Bear's win column with a forty-eight yard run for a touchdown.

It was near midnight when the game finally ended, with collegiate bowl records broken for total first downs, total points and total yards gained, and Baylor records for total yards gained (777) and total rushing yards gained (482). Just think—when record books are filled out this morning the Baylor Bears will be in them and will likely stay in them for years to come. That is something. Something no other team in the country can say.

It was a fitting way for R.G.III to end his collegiate career, if indeed he does. He has always spoken about "we", not "I", and this was truly a team victory. After being behind by 18 points in the third quarter, Griffin led his team to a 67-56 win, and he was not the MVP of the game. Exactly as he would have preferred. His teammate, Ganaway, got that big MVP trophy but the team got the winner's trophy, which is an impressive addition to the B.U. trophy case. In what was truly a game for the ages, the Baylor Bears won the game as a team. Griffin's stats were less than impressive, but the team got the trophy. Oh, he was good enough to show why he was the Heisman winner, but , statistically he was not the head and shoulders best quarterback on the field on this night. He was however, the consummate team player, throwing, running and even blocking for his team. He was easily the best field general, leading his team to victory. In short, he was what he always wanted to be, part of a team of hard working, hard fighting, well coached players willing to do what was needed to win their 10^th game of the year.

Hats off to Art Briles, the entire coaching staff, the student body and the vast army of Baylor supporters who showed up at the game. You did yourself proud! You did what was never before done!