TITLE: Congratulating the Baylor University football team for its outstanding 2014-2015 season.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the Baylor University football team for its outstanding 2014-2015 season.

FULL TEXT:
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