Beyond the boxscore

Baylor Bears show they can hang with the big boys; now they just need to win

Baylor fans have embraced Nick Florence I, the successor of Robert Griffin III.
Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics
Head coach Art Briles is one the gutsiest play- callers in the NCAA.
Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics
Bruiser, Baylor's mascot, still has plenty to cheer about in the post-RGIIIera.
Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics
Nick Florence, shown here in a 59-24 route of SMU, beat Robert Griffin III'spassing record with 581 yards against West Virginia on Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics

Being a Baylor football fan is not without its challenges.

Our rivalries against Texas A&M and the University of Texas (dating back to 1899 and 1901, respectively) have historically been one-sided. And in 20 years, we've been to only four bowl games.

But a new day is dawning for Jerusalem on the Brazos. The golden era definitely started with Robert Griffin III, but it is far from over without him.

A new day is dawning for Jerusalem on the Brazos. The golden era definitely started with Robert Griffin III, but it is far from over without him.

Any team that scores 63 points against a top 10 opponent is a force to be reckoned with. Yes, Baylor lost to West Virginia.

But the only resemblance to the Bears of the past was allowing 70 points. The offensive output was nearly unheard of until RGIII led Baylor to a 67-56 Alamo Bowl victory against Washington in 2011.

Head coach Art Briles, the architect behind the Bears' success, didn't rest on his laurels when his recruiting proved to include the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner. He went back for more.

Now, Nick Florence is no RGIII. Florence is impressive in his own right. Heading into Saturday's game against the Mountaineers, he led the country in total offensive yards — averaging 387.7 per game.

Florence beat Griffin's passing record on Saturday, grabbing 581 yards, five touchdowns, and, yes, one interception. Florence's interceptions are not ideal, but they will happen. And, despite the disbelief of sports announcers everywhere, he will brush them off by the next play.

Arguably the most important quality the Bears have developed in the RGII era and beyond is the ability to entertain. Art Briles' gutsy play-calling allows our athletic, smart recruits to shine. Baylor may not win every game, but man, isn't it fun to watch?

Win, lose or draw, the Bears put on a show.

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Baseball News

Texas Rangers and MLB set jam-packed schedule for All-Star week

Photo by Kelly Gavin / Courtesy of Texas Rangers

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The 2024 annual MLB All-Star Game, along with its accompanying All-Star Week festivities, were awarded to the Texas Rangers and the Cities of Arlington and Fort Worth way back in 2022.

The week has finally arrived, now with events taking place in Arlington, Fort Worth, and Dallas.

Also known as the "Midsummer Classic," the All-Star Game is an annual professional baseball game sanctioned by Major League Baseball (MLB) and contested between the all-stars from the American League (AL) and National League (NL).

The 2024 game will be played on Tuesday, July 16, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, for the first time since it opened in 2020. The last time the Rangers hosted an All-Star Game was back in 1995 game at their previous home, then known as The Ballpark in Arlington.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday, July 12: HBCU Swingman Classic at Globe Life Field, which highlights the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs while also providing HBCU baseball players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

July 12-15: Two MLB youth tournaments, the All-Star Commissioner’s Cup and Jennie Finch Classic, both of which will be played at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy in Dallas.

The All-Star Commissioner’s Cup features teams of youth baseball players (ages 17 and under) from MLB Youth Academies from around the country and in Puerto Rico.
The All-Star Jennie Finch Classic features teams of youth softball players (ages 17 and under) from MLB Youth Academies and Jennie Finch softball programming.

July 13-16: The Capital One All-Star Village, a one-of-a-kind baseball theme park that will also encompass Esports Stadium and the North Lawn, will be open at Choctaw Stadium (formerly Globe Life Field in Arlington). It will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including current and former player appearances.

July 14: MLB Draft Opening Night will take place at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth and will be open to the public. This is the fourth consecutive year that the MLB Draft will also take place during All-Star Week. The draft will continue on July 15 and 16.

July 15: The T-Mobile Home Run Derby will feature a variety of the best home run hitters in the league. Given his participation in the Derby in 2023, his performance in the 2023 playoffs, and this being a hometown game, don't be surprised to see Ranger right fielder Adolis García as one of the participants again.

July 16: MLB All-Star Game, at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Event-specific ticketing and broadcast information will be announced in the coming months. For additional details, fans can go to AllStarGame.com.

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This story was updated on July 11, 2024.

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