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Baylor Football

Baylor Football to Honor Miracle on the Brazos Team on Sept. 14

July 2, 2024
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WACO, Texas – Baylor football will honor the 1974 Southwest Conference Championship team during halftime of the Sept. 14 matchup vs. Air Force at McLane Stadium.

The Bears will welcome members of the 1974 ‘Miracle on the Brazos’ team for the clash with the Falcons at 6:30 p.m., with the game televised live on FS1 and presented by Premier ER + Urgent Care. The game will also serve as the Baylor Family Weekend and Salute to Service contest.

“Honoring this legendary group will be a wonderful opportunity for the Baylor Family,” Baylor Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades IV said. “The 50th anniversary of this historic team is a chance for us to celebrate the monumental impact they had on our university and community. I look forward to connecting with these Baylor greats and listening to their many personal stories about a team who left an undeniable mark on the Baylor fan base for generations to come.”

The Bears went 8-4 and 6-1 in league play to win the conference title, later advancing to the Cotton Bowl and finishing the season ranked No. 14 in the Associated Press poll. Led by Coach Grant Teaff in his third season, the Bears rallied from a 24-7 halftime deficit for a thrilling 34-24 comeback victory over Texas.

In 1974, Baylor earned wins over No. 12 Oklahoma State, Florida State, No. 14 Arkansas, TCU, No. 12 Texas, No. 20 Texas Tech, SMU and Rice. Teaff was named AFCA Coach of the Year for a performance that saw the Bears go from winless in SWC play in 1973 to league champions in 1974. Six players from the team earned All-Southwest Conference honors, including All-Americans Aubrey Schulz (offensive line) and Derrel Luce (linebacker).

Baylor opens its 2024 season on Aug. 31, hosting Tarleton at 6 p.m. at McLane Stadium. The 1974 team will be one of three championship teams honored during the course of the season, including the 2013 and 2014 Big 12 Championship teams during the matchup vs. TCU on Nov. 2.

For more information on the football season tickets or mini plans click here or call the Baylor Ticket Office at (254) 710-1000. All tickets sold for the 2024 football season will be distributed digitally. For more information on how to access and transfer mobile tickets, click here. 

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Baylor Football to Honor Miracle on the Brazos Team on Sept. 14

3,714 Views | 9 Replies | Last: 7 mo ago by Johnny Bear
jdkingbear
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7:14a, 7/3/24
I was at Baylor Stadium in 1974 for the last game of the season, against Rice. That was the win that put us over the top and gave us the first SWC Championship in 50 years. A dear friend, who was a mentor to me, was with me that day. He was a student at Baylor when they last won the conference in 1924. It was a very special day, one which I will never forget. As I recall, we beat Rice 21-7 and as the last second ticketed off the game clock, the jubilation began. What a great memory. Delighted that team team will be honored this year - 50 years ago.

Fortunately, for Baylor Alums and the university - we have added more championships since then, but that day will stand out like no other ... for me.
jdkingbear
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MrGolfguy
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7:55a, 7/3/24
From worst to first....




not too shabby
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ImABearToo
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9:29a, 7/3/24
Looked like another beat down going into halftime, although I had a glimmer of hope. Glad I stuck around, Second half was marvelous.
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ABC BEAR
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6:38p, 7/3/24
The nature of college football dynasties in the early 1970's did not factor in teams like Baylor putting together a run through the entire conference schedule. If Baylor had not beaten Rice and won the SWC outright they would not have gone to a bowl game that year. That's because the 6 major conferences pushed bowl game committees to choose teams in the first week of November. It was a hierarchy that enjoyed having its foot on the throat of would-be challengers by limiting bowl games and TV appearances.

A lot has changed since then and our 1974 team was in part responsible by shocking the system.

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MrGolfguy
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In reply to ABC BEAR • 7:15p, 7/3/24
ABC BEAR said:
The nature of college football dynasties in the early 1970's did not factor in teams like Baylor putting together a run through the entire conference schedule. If Baylor had not beaten Rice and won the SWC outright they would not have gone to a bowl game that year. That's because the 6 major conferences pushed bowl game committees to choose teams in the first week of November. It was a hierarchy that enjoyed having its foot on the throat of would-be challengers by limiting bowl games and TV appearances.

A lot has changed since then and our 1974 team was in part responsible by shocking the system.
Explains 1976; Baylor finished 7-3-1 and ranked 19th in the final poll but didn't get a bowl invite.
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Killing Floor
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10:11p, 7/3/24
That's so cool.
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Southtxbear
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10:31p, 7/3/24
I wish Back2Jack was here for this.
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ABC BEAR
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In reply to MrGolfguy • 10:37p, 7/3/24
MrGolfguy said:
ABC BEAR said:
The nature of college football dynasties in the early 1970's did not factor in teams like Baylor putting together a run through the entire conference schedule. If Baylor had not beaten Rice and won the SWC outright they would not have gone to a bowl game that year. That's because the 6 major conferences pushed bowl game committees to choose teams in the first week of November. It was a hierarchy that enjoyed having its foot on the throat of would-be challengers by limiting bowl games and TV appearances.

A lot has changed since then and our 1974 team was in part responsible by shocking the system.
Explains 1976; Baylor finished 7-3-1 and ranked 19th in the final poll but didn't get a bowl invite.
IIRC Iowa State finished 8-3 in 1976 and they didn't get a bowl bid either.
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Johnny Bear
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8:45a, 7/4/24
Grant Teaff in general and the 1974 season in particular are two huge reasons for why we continued to play in a power conference uninterrupted and are to date still playing in one.
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