Baylor Football Bowl Games

2 min read 25-11-2024

The Baylor University Bears football team has a long and storied history of competing in bowl games, dating back to the 1940s. With a rich tradition of producing talented players and teams, Baylor has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of college football.

Early Years (1940s-1960s)

In the early years of Baylor's bowl game history, the team struggled to find consistency and success on the field. Despite this, the Bears still managed to secure a few bowl game appearances, including the 1949 Dixie Bowl and the 1956 Sugar Bowl.

The Grantland Rice Years (1960s-1970s)

The 1960s and 1970s saw a significant turnaround in Baylor's football fortunes, thanks in large part to the leadership of Coach Grantland Rice. During his tenure, the Bears made appearances in the 1963 Bluebonnet Bowl, the 1966 Sugar Bowl, and the 1971 Fiesta Bowl.

The Southwest Conference Years (1970s-1990s)

The 1970s to the 1990s saw Baylor competing in the Southwest Conference, where they faced off against rivals like Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. During this period, the Bears made appearances in the 1974 Cotton Bowl Classic, the 1979 Peach Bowl, and the 1991 Copper Bowl.

The Big 12 Era (1990s-Present)

With the dissolution of the Southwest Conference and the formation of the Big 12 Conference in the 1990s, Baylor found itself competing against some of the top programs in the country. Despite the stiff competition, the Bears have continued to thrive, making appearances in the 1992 John Hancock Bowl, the 1994 Alamo Bowl, and the 2011 Alamo Bowl.

Recent Successes

In recent years, Baylor has experienced a resurgence in success, thanks to the leadership of Coach Art Briles and his high-powered offense. The Bears have made appearances in the 2012 Holiday Bowl, the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, and the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl.

Notable Bowl Game Victories

Throughout its history, Baylor has secured several notable bowl game victories, including:

1949 Dixie Bowl: Baylor defeated Wake Forest 20-7 in the Dixie Bowl, marking the team's first-ever bowl game win.
1963 Bluebonnet Bowl: The Bears defeated LSU 24-7 in the Bluebonnet Bowl, capping off a 9-2 season.
2013 Fiesta Bowl: Baylor stunned the nation with a 52-42 upset over Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl, marking the team's first-ever BCS bowl win.

As the Baylor Bears continue to write their story on the field, one thing is clear: their rich tradition of competition and excellence in bowl games is here to stay.