As you may already know, December 29, 2010, was a historic day for the Baylor faithful as we returned from a brief (like, 16 years) hiatus from the bowl scene. Most who read here are aware that I'm a bit of a football fan(atic) and that Taylor thinks she and RG3 have a lot in common due to their injuries and rehab following basically the same timeline in 2009/2010 so it goes to reason that we would gift each other with tickets to said bowl for Christmas, right? :-)
Our destination was the Texas Bowl and the venue was Reliant Stadium, where Baylor Nation made a giant statement last March when supporting our men's basketball team as they were denied the opportunity to advance to the Final Four by an official who was momentarily struck blind and called Quincy Acy for a bogus charge. Or something like that...
It was humid, gloomy and rainy when we arrived in Houston but that's exactly the same weather we faced when becoming bowl eligible against Kansas so I took it as a good sign.
My girl donned her new Baylor shoes and pink RG3 jersey - also Christmas gifts, of course - and we tailgated in our hotel room as anyone with hair like mine would do...
My parents joined us a bit later and we made the trek across the street to the stadium...along with 60,000 other Baylor fans. It was a sight to behold, friends!
These two fellas were a wee bit excited...
I need to let you know here - because Dave will if I don't - that he had planned to wear his snazzy green and gold polo shirt but I forgot it at home. Why? Because it was on a hanger on top of the suitcase instead of inside of it where, in my opinion, it belonged...but I digress... :-)
My hair was OUT OF CONTROL, y'all, but I wasn't letting it get me down. Obviously.
Our band performed and our crew definitely thought won the pre-game performance...
Our fans clearly outnumbered and out cheered that other team's...
The Fighting Illini (what is that anyway?) learned that everything truly is bigger in Texas...
Our colors looked better on the program...
Our team ran out as the fireworks were going off (unlike another team I witnessed)...
...and it appeared all was off to a roaring start.
But the first half didn't shape up like we'd planned so my man turned his hat around to "rally the team."
They finally got close enough for me to take a picture...
...and then we missed a field goal right before the half...
But, again, the band rose to the occasion and won the halftime performance...
...while my girl decided I had truly (and finally) lost my ever lovin' mind...it was stressful, y'all!
...and our band joined the enemy to pay tribute to the good ol' USA, which was FABULOUS...
...and then the second half began. I'd like to not discuss it too thoroughly as my spirits were buoyed only to be dashed. But here's the thing, I firmly believe we won every single aspect of this game except the one involving a ball.
Before the season began, our goal was clearly stated: To return to a bowl game.
We did.
Now here's to being more specific (and including the word WINNING) in 2011!
Please know that while this post is tongue in cheek, I am incredibly proud of this team and our coaches. I have no doubt Phil Bennett will be a valuable addition as we head into next season and, quite frankly, I'm ready to play for himself if a need arises. My man and I firmly believe this program is on the rise and that the best is yet to come. Whether that comes to pass or not, know that we will be sitting in the stands and cheering for our team for as many years to come as the good Lord allows. Period. End of story.
Sic 'em, Bears!
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