2008 Baylor Bears football team
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University
in the college football
season of 2007-2008. The team was led by head coach Art Briles
in his first year in the position. They played their home games at Floyd Casey Stadium
in Waco, Texas
.
The Bears returned 15 starters, including 9 on offense, and 6 on defense.
In their preseason countdown, Rivals.com
ranked the Bears' 2008 squad 92nd out of all 120 Division I FBS teams. The official Big 12 media preseason poll picked the Bears to finish last in the Big 12 South.
, Jordan Lake, and Joe Pawelek—made the All-Big 12 first team. Derek Epperson and Dan Gay received honorable mention, while Robert Griffin III was named Offensive Freshman of the Year. Griffin became Baylor's second Big 12 individual award winner, joining Daniel Sepulveda
, who won Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2006.
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in the college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
season of 2007-2008. The team was led by head coach Art Briles
Art Briles
Arthur Ray Briles is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Baylor University, a position he has held since the 2008 season. From 2002 to 2007, Briles was the head coach at the University of Houston.-Playing career:A native of Rule, Texas, Briles...
in his first year in the position. They played their home games at Floyd Casey Stadium
Floyd Casey Stadium
Floyd Casey Stadium is a stadium in Waco, Texas. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Baylor Bears. Floyd Casey Stadium is about four miles from the Baylor campus. Floyd Casey Stadium was built in 1950 and cost $1.8 million dollars to construct...
in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
.
Preseason
Two Baylor players, linebacker Joe Pawelek and defensive back Jordan Lake, made the preseason All-Big 12 team. Pawelek made at least 86 tackles in each of the previous two seasons, while Lake posted 120 tackles, two interceptions, forced two fumbles, and recovered two in 2007. Lake was Baylor's only all-Big 12 postseason selection in 2007.The Bears returned 15 starters, including 9 on offense, and 6 on defense.
In their preseason countdown, Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
ranked the Bears' 2008 squad 92nd out of all 120 Division I FBS teams. The official Big 12 media preseason poll picked the Bears to finish last in the Big 12 South.
Coaching staff
- Art BrilesArt BrilesArthur Ray Briles is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Baylor University, a position he has held since the 2008 season. From 2002 to 2007, Briles was the head coach at the University of Houston.-Playing career:A native of Rule, Texas, Briles...
— Head Coach - Randy Clements — Co-Offensive Coordinator (Line)
- Philip Montgomery — Co-Offensive Coordinator (QBs & RBs)
- Brian NorwoodBrian NorwoodBrian Norwood is an American football coach . He currently serves as Assistant Head Coach to Art Briles at Baylor University. Both Norwood and Briles served as assistants to Mike Leach at Texas Tech in 2000...
— Defensive Coordinator - Chris Achuff — Assistant Coach (Defenive Tackles)
- Dino Babers — Assistant Coach (WR)/Recruiting Coordinator
- Kendal Briles — Assistant Coach (Receivers)
- Larry Hoefer — Assistant Coach (Linebackers)
- Kaz Kazadi — Head Strength Coach
- Kim McCloud — Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks)
- Theo YoungTheo YoungTheo Thomas Young is a former professional American football tight end and current National Football League college football scout.-Playing career:...
— Assistant Coach (Defensive Ends)
Schedule
Postseason
Three Baylor players—Jason SmithJason Smith (American football)
-St. Louis Rams:On July 30, 2009 the Rams agreed to terms with Smith on a six-year contract with $33 million in guarantees. The maximum value of the deal is $61 million. The sixth year is voidable, which would leave Smith with $6.6 million per year over five years....
, Jordan Lake, and Joe Pawelek—made the All-Big 12 first team. Derek Epperson and Dan Gay received honorable mention, while Robert Griffin III was named Offensive Freshman of the Year. Griffin became Baylor's second Big 12 individual award winner, joining Daniel Sepulveda
Daniel Sepulveda
Daniel Wade Sepulveda is an American football punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Baylor. He is the only two-time Ray Guy Award winner.-College career:He was an All-American at Baylor...
, who won Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2006.