Football, Triumphs, Accolades & More
Things are not looking too shabby after the Bears had a 42-7 win over Samford, holding a 2-1 record before the conference games start. Baylor is going up against Arizona State University tomorrow at 6:30 pm – their previous match up was in 1990 in Tempe, where the Sun Devils won, 34-13. Since both teams sit at 2-1, this game will be the “lid lifter” of the season.
But, don’t let the odds get you down, the Bears are defying gravity with their accolades, from redshirt sophomore running back Bryson Washington and junior punter Palmer Williams. Washington was named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Honorable Mention after he rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns during last week’s game. Palmer earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week for the second week in a row, and currently holds a 31 career 50-plus yard punts.
On another note, for your football pregame ritual, don’t forget to check out the alumni band group, Graham St. Clair Band, performing in Touchdown Alley at 4:30 p.m. – paired with samplings and giveaways before kickoff.
Bears in the Hall of Fame
Bryce Petty, a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins and previously the New York Jets, is being inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame with fellow former football players Cyril Richardson and Derek Turner.
Bryce Petty redshirted during his season in 2010 and played 11 games over the next two years as a backup quarterback. But, 2013 and 2014, he helped lead the team to back-to-back victories – first two Big 12 Championship and 11-win seasons to be exact.
In a Baylor Athletics article, Petty in response amid the NIL and transfer portal culture, said, “The time that I waited, what I believe it taught me as a man . . . made me appreciate the times that I did play and that I did lead and was part of a culture that was a winning culture. It was a culture that people were excited about being a fan of Baylor football. And I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
Impending Traffic
Impending doom is upon us … traffic that is. Earlier this week, TxDot announced plans to remove the northbound I-35 bridges over 17th and 18th Street. Part of the four-year “My35 Waco South Construction Project, as mentioned in a previous brief, to reduce congestion and stretch three miles of I-35 lanes and frontage roads.
This specific portion of the plan caused a detour on 18th Street this week. From Sunday, Sept. 21 to Wed., Sept. 24, all westbound lanes and the northbound turnaround, under I-35 are expected to close at 7 p.m., westbound lanes and the turnaround are expected to be reopened on Wed. by 7 a.m. – all mainlanes and frontage roads will remain open in both directions.
Flashing Lights
The inaugural Baylor New Play Initiative (BNPI) – featuring readings of four new plays by emerging and known artists around the world, announced the ticket packages and casts. The event will run from Sept. 26-28. Collaborating with 13 of Texas’ top professional theaters, professional actors, directors, etc., from across the country will come together to culminate with an award of $15,000 Kirk New Play Prize. An All Inclusive Package is on sale now for $185 and the weekend will be filled with many events like an opening night reception at Freight Waco, Helberg BBQ lunch, and more.
A New Place for Worship
Baylor partnered with Texas Baptist for a new Baptist Student Ministry building that will be built on the corner of South Fourth Street and Daughtrey Avenue. The recent BSM was in the Bobo Spiritual Life Building, but with a growing ministry it needed more space. The BSM has played a huge role within the Baylor community to help students grow spiritually and follow Christ. With Baylor visiting Australia for the Baptist World Congress with the Baptist World Alliance over the summer, President Linda A. Livingston and others apart from the university were able to deepen their relationship with the BWA. This new student ministry building will help solidify Baylor’s new motto.
