66 Days till Kickoff: Baylor allowed 66 total points in 1956

As always, keep track of both the stats and roster countdowns in the Offseason Hub!

Up until 1956, the Baylor Bears football program had only one bowl victory (1948) and had never had a 9-win season. Coming off of a 5-5 season in 1955, former coach George Sauer transitioned into the role of Athletic Director at Baylor. Sam Boyd was entrusted to coach the Bears in 1956. 

1956 brought heights to the football program that had not previously been seen. The Bears' defense carried the program to a 9-2 record while allowing only 66 total points on the season. No. 11 Baylor (9-2, 4-2) ended 1956 third in the SWC behind only No. 5 Texas A&M (9-0, 6-0) and No. 14 TCU (8-3, 5-1)

The season started with a road victory over California Berkely, 7-6. The Bears returned to Waco to face Texas Tech in the home opener at Floyd Casey Stadium. Fifteen thousand people in attendance watched BU pick up a 27-0 shutout victory over the rival Red Raiders. 

After starting the season 2-0, the Green and Gold were given the No. 16 ranking in the country. The Bears then traveled to College Park to take on the University of Maryland. They shut out the Terps in the 14-0 victory.  

The Bears started Southwest Conference play with a 14-7 victory over Arkansas. Then losses in both rivalry games against No. 7 Texas A&M and TCU by scores of 13-19 and 6-7.

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Dave Aranda with the Sugar Bowl trophy.

Baylor then finished the season on a four-game winning streak beating Texas 10-7, Nebraska 26-7, SMU 26-0, and Rice 46-13. At the conclusion of the season, the Bears were invited to take on No. 2 Tennessee in the 23rd annual Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. 

On New Year’s Day in front of a crowd of 81,000 at Tulane Stadium, the Bears defeated the No. 2 Volunteers 13-7 to finish the season with a program-record of 9 wins.  Those seven points the Volunteers scored are not included in this regular-season program record. The Sugar Bowl victory was the second bowl win in program history, and 65 years later, the Bears returned to New Orleans to secure their second Sugar Bowl Championship, this time over the Ole Miss Rebels.