H.R. No. 160
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Baylor University football team achieved great
success during the 2014-2015 season, becoming back to back Big 12
Conference Champions and reaching the Cotton Bowl for the first
time since 1981; and
WHEREAS, Playing their first season in the newly christened
McLane Stadium in Waco, Baylor began the year by soundly defeating
Southern Methodist University in the season opener; the Bears
followed that performance with dominating victories over their next
four opponents, setting the stage for a much-anticipated matchup
with the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs; in that contest,
Baylor fought back from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to win
61-58 on a last-second field goal by kicker Chris Callahan; and
WHEREAS, The Bears rebounded from a midseason loss to West
Virginia with a five-game winning streak, closing out the regular
season with a 38-27 victory over the No. 9-ranked Kansas State
team; that triumph secured a share of the Big 12 Conference
championship, and although Baylor was disappointed to not be one of
the four teams selected for the inaugural College Football Playoff,
they earned a berth to play in the Cotton Bowl for just the third
time in the program's long history; and
WHEREAS, Head coach Art Briles and his coaching staff helped
lead Baylor to an exemplary 11-2 overall record, which marked the
second consecutive season that the team compiled 10 wins or more;
moreover, the Bears finished the year ranked in the top 10 in each
of college football's major polls; the Bears' high-powered attack
led the nation in total offense with over 580 yards per game and in
total scoring with more than 48 points per game; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the team's accomplishments, several
Baylor players were selected to the 2014 All-Big 12 Team, including
running back Shock Linwood, offensive lineman Spencer Drango,
defensive linemen Andrew Billings and Shawn Oakman, quarterback
Bryce Petty, wide receiver Corey Coleman, linebacker Bryce Hager,
and punter Spencer Roth; and
WHEREAS, All season long, the Bears excelled by dedicating
themselves to a team-oriented approach to the game, and it is indeed
appropriate to honor all those who contributed to Baylor's success;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Baylor University football
team for its outstanding 2014-2015 season and extend sincere best
wishes to the team's players, coaches, and staff for continued
achievement; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Sanford
Leach
Phillips
Davis of Harris
Hughes
Kacal
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 160 was adopted by the House on
February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House