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Home , Andrew Luck, Kirby Freeman, Robert Griffin III

WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE

Heisman Issue TheMONDAY | DECEMBER 12,Baylor 2011 www.baylorlariat.comLariat

Vol. 112 No. 52 © 2011, “Everybody associated with Baylor University has reason to celebrate tonight.”

“No pressure, no diamonds. We compete, we win. We are Baylor.”

“This is a forever kind of moment, and may we be blessed to have many more like it in the future.”

IT’S OURS! Gri n III sti -arms preconceptions, brings Baylor  rst Heisman

B T  A hug his parents, his sister and his  ancée, Gri n joins a group, known as the and shaping him. during what proved to be the game-win- S  E before  nally walking on stage to accept “Heisman fraternity,” that includes some For weeks now, members of the media ning  eld goal drive. the trophy. of the greatest names in football history. have been placing doubt in Gri n’s ability In what has come to be known as Junior Robert Gri n III “ is moment right here is unbeliev- “It’s paramount, but it’s not just me,” to win the Heisman, including one memo- Gri n’s Heisman moment, he threw for approached the Heisman ceremony as he ably believable,” Gri n said to begin his Gri n said. “Baylor is always forever in rable quote from Kirk Herbstreit who said, 479 yards and four against has approached all media events this se- acceptance speech. “It’s unbelievable be- this fraternity as well. We had nobody “He’s from Baylor. He’s not going to win then-No. 5 Oklahoma, including the mester, with an air of dignity, glory to God cause in the moment, we’re all amazed hanging up, but now we at least have one. the Heisman.” Gri n was asked if he had game-winning, 34-yard pass and a sense of humor. when great things happen. It’s believ- And hopefully we’ll have more in the fu- the last laugh. to junior receiver Terrance Williams with Even on the national stage, standing able because great things don’t happen ture. To be a part of these guys behind “We’re still trying to laugh some eight seconds le . next to Stanford quarterback Andrew without hard work.  e great coach Art me, be a part of greatness, you can’t ask more,” he responded. “ ey told Tyrann On the season, Gri n completed 74 Luck, he pulled up his pants legs and Briles always says great things only come for more. Not only are they great football he couldn’t play, and look at him at LSU percent of his throws for 3,998 passing showed o a pair of red and blue Super- with great e ort. We’ve certainly worked players, but they’re great people.” doing great things.  ey told me I couldn’t yards with 36 touchdowns and just six man socks complete with capes on the for this.  at’s why everybody associated Gri n’s coach, play quarterback, and I’m at Baylor doing , earning him the Davey back side. with Baylor University has a reason to head coach Jack Welch of Copperas Cove the best job I possibly can.  ey might O’Brien Award for best collegiate quar- “Well, now that my socks are out there celebrate tonight.” High School, said he was very emotional say it couldn’t happen at Baylor, but that’s terback in the nation. He also ran for 644 I got nothing to lose, right?” he said to get Gri n received 1,687 points, beating following the announcement. why it’s , and that’s why we yards and nine touchdowns this season. some laughs from the audience. out Stanford quarterback “I actually cried. Tears of joy,” Welch play every Saturday.” Gri n was also named the Big 12 Of- When the announcement  nally came (1407), Alabama running back Trent said. “It’s like a dream come true.  ese Gri n  rst gained national Heisman fensive Player of the Year by the Associ- that Baylor had just earned its  rst Heis- Richardson, Wisconsin running back things just don’t happen. It’s Robert’s vic- attention a er Baylor’s opening game ated Press. man trophy in history, and while Bears and LSU cornerback Tyrann tory, but it’s also a victory for the area, our of the season, when the Bears defeated Welch said he’s very proud of Gri n everywhere roared with ecstasy and Mathieu. school Baylor.” then-No. 14 TCU in a dramatic 50-48 and he texts him all the time. What did chanted “R-G-3,” Gri n shook hands “It was so well-deserved by Robert Welch said Gri n has matured very game. Gri n opened the year with 359 Welch text him a er the Heisman an- with the other candidates and his head Gri n,” Luck said. “It was very hard to well as a football player, and Briles and passing yards,  ve touchdown passes and nouncement? coach, . He then walked back to be upset.” his sta have done a great job grooming a big third-down reception on a trick play “I texted him, ‘Praise God.’”

Newspaper of the Year | APME TheLariat Best Student Newspaper | Press Club MONDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2011 | the Heisman Issue 2 Baylor Lariat www.baylorlariat.com The tale of May 17, 2008 Griffin wins the Big 12 400-meter hurdle race at the conference meet after graduating Copperas Cove one semester early. Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor Ten moments that helped shape Above: Robert Griffin III joins fans for a postgame interview after the Bears upsetTCU, 50-48, on Sept. 2. Robert Griffin III’s career, plus Middle: Griffin III evades a tackler in the Bears’ 48-24 win over Texas. Aug. 28, 2008 Lower left: With eight seconds left in the game, Griffin launches a pass to receiver Terrance Williams. images to remember from Williams hauls it in for a touchdown, and Baylor beats then-No.5 Oklahoma, 45-38. In the Bears’ season opener against No. 23 Baylor’s historic 2011 season Lower right: Griffin III hurdles a defender in Baylor’s 42-39 victory against Missouri at Homecoming. Wake Forest, coach Art Briles replaces starting quarterback with Griffin. Griffin breaks a 22-yard run, during which he fakes out a defender and dodges the tackle, and makes national highlights despite the Bears losing 41-13.

Nov. 15, 2008 Fans receive a breath of fresh air when Griffin helps Baylor rout Texas A&M 41- 21 to snap the Bears’ four-game losing streak and keep the team from finishing the Big 12 in last place. Griffin throws two touchdowns and rushes for 56 yards. Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor

Sept. 27, 2009 It is revealed Griffin has a season-ending ACL injury suffered in Baylor’s 68-13 win over Northwestern State. Under replacement , the Bears finish the season 4-8.

Oct. 23, 2010 Griffin throws for 404 yards and four touchdowns as Baylor beats Kansas State and becomes bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.

Meagan Downing | Lariat Photographer Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor

Sept. 2, 2011 Nov. 19, 2011 Dec. 3, 2011 Dec. 4, 2011 Dec. 10, 2011 A national ESPN Pandemonium strikes Griffin makes his final At 9-3 on the season, Griffin becomes the audience watches Floyd Casey Stadium case for the Heisman, Baylor accepts an first Baylor drive down the following Griffin’s throwing for 359 yards invitation to play winner in the history field, aided by a trick game-winning and two touchdowns in the 2011 Valero of Baylor University. play in which Griffin touchdown pass to in Baylor’s 48-24 in San “The hotter the heat, catches a Kendall Terrance Williams win over Texas. The Antonio against the the harder the steel. No Wright pass, and against No. 5 victory is the Bears’ Pac 12’s pressure, no diamonds. score to upset No. 14 Oklahoma. The Bears’ fifth straight and Huskies. “It’s in Texas, We compete, we win. TCU 50-48. Griffin 45-38 shocker is keeps them unbeaten our fans will travel We are Baylor,” Griffin records five passing broadcast nationally at Floyd Casey really well and we are says in his acceptance touchdowns. on ABC. Stadium in 2011. excited,” Griffin says. speech. MONDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2011 www.baylorlariat.com Heisman Issue the Baylor Lariat |3 Students of all years celebrate Heisman win

By Krista Pirtle Baylor football was done for .” Sports Writer For the seniors, their first sea- son brought small slices of heaven Faith: something that holds as Briles entered his first season the promise of a better tomorrow. and Griffin overtook then junior Something shown by Heisman quarterback Blake Syzmanski for Trophy winner Robert Griffin III the starting job. and the reality of the tomorrow “Freshman year, we were just promised by head coach Art Briles excited that Baylor had a new foot- when he came to Baylor in 2008. ball coach and a new quarterback,” In its first 12 seasons in the Big Tomball senior Ryan Anderson 12 conference, Baylor won a total said. “Being a first generation Bay- of 11 conference games. lor Bear, I didn’t know much about The year before Griffin came to the football history here pre-RG3, Baylor, 2007, the Bears were 3-9 but from what I heard, there wasn’t with no conference wins. much to talk about. I couldn’t have In 2011, the Bears are 9-3 with imagined that the program would six conference wins. have grown so much from then to For the freshmen, a 9-3 football n ow.” team is all that they know. For a university drowning in its “It’s just a really exciting experi- history of a basketball murder and ence to be here and be a part of it,” associated with the location of Da- Joe Photographer | Lariat staff Scottsdale, Ariz., freshman Caelen vid Koresh, faith for a moment like Demos said. “Our class has never this seemed impossible. seen failure from Baylor. We just Off campus, students were saw RG3 win a Heisman, and that’s screaming and running in the all we know coming in.” streets. On campus, students For the sophomores, their first packed the Bill Daniel Student season in the green and gold broke Center. the 15-year bowl drought. A rough estimate of 1,100 “Oh man, just school pride,” students were spread among the Houston sophomore Kaosi Eg- den, eating area, Barfield Drawing bunike said. “I was proud to be part Room and the basement. of something so huge. I loved being When the time came for the able to wear my Baylor shirt back winner to be announced, the “R” home with pride.” sound was all that was heard be- For the juniors, their first sea- fore the eruption that will change Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor son fell apart early as Griffin tore Baylor Athletics. his ACL. “The whole place went nuts,” Baylor fans cheer in the Bill Daniel Student Center during the Heisman Trophy presentation watch party as No. 10 senior quarterback Robert Griffin III “I was hopeful that we would Anderson said. is announced as the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday. Roughly 1,100 students were at the SUB to see Baylor receive its first Heisman Trophy. be a valiant contender in the Big 12 That excitement has been build- conference and win the majority of ing since the night of Sept. 2, when Tech for the first time in 15 years the OU game, the entire student screamed harder in my life. A ran- I’ve been here.” our games, but that didn’t happen, the Bears upset then-No. 14 TCU and defeated Texas for the second section was screaming on every dom stranger picked me up, but This is the promise Briles made which was disappointing,” Round in a thrilling 50-48 season opener. straight year. defensive down,” Anderson said. it didn’t matter. We were a Baylor in a time of drought and defeat. Rock junior Nick Cestari said. Since that night, Baylor went “Usually the Line is the place “Not a single person was sitting. family and it was and has been so In the words of Griffin, and the “When Griffin went down with his 4-0 in November, defeated Okla- where most of the cheering and When that last touchdown pass incredible having such an energetic rest of the team have made this sea- injury I figured the worst and that homa for the first time, beat Texas screaming is happening, but for was thrown, I don’t think I’ve student section for the four years son “unbelievably believable.” Near and far, alumni rejoice Doubting Thomas What Robert Griffin III’s skeptics had to say By Tyler Alley 100 alumni in the room.” it was never good.” Ian McCaw. about his Heisman chances Sports Editor Trippet was not the only Bear Rachel Goodlad, a journalism “College football now is about outside Texas with a celebration major from the class of 2006, also great coaching,” Rolph said. “Mc- It was the worst of times, it was story. Whitney Wilson, a politi- has plenty of bad Baylor football Caw has brought in great coaching “We don’t plan on letting anyone the worst of times. cal science major from the class of memories. She said Baylor fans and great talent, but it’s also talent But that was then. 2000, lives in Denver, Colo., and from her era were used to having with integrity and leadership.” win the Heisman against us.” Students and fans can celebrate said she was at a neighborhood grill their hopes dashed and did not Earl Shanks, a member of the -, Texas linebacker, Nov. 28 the best of times with junior quar- when the announcement was made. know 100 percent Griffin would 1979 class, comes from a family terback Robert Griffin III’s Heis- In an email to the Lariat, Wil- win. with multiple generations of Bay- man victory and the overall success son said everyone in the place was “I think that Baylor fans were lor grads. His father went to Bay- of Baylor football today. Alumni, rooting for Griffin. Many people expecting it, but people were still lor, and his father-in-law played “He’s from Baylor. He’s not going to moreover, can look back at how teared up during his acceptance holding their breath,” Goodlad in the 1952 for Bay- Baylor football performed dur- speech, which she said was “touch- said. “People in my class were used lor. Shanks said his father-in-law win the Heisman.” ing their years and be even more ing, humble, thoughtful, well spo- to the team winning two games, “yelled like a kid” when he saw that -Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN, Dec. 1 thankful. ken and sincere.” used to hoping for something Griffin had won. “This is just unbelievable,” said Jon Rolph, a member of the good to happen then having it slip Allen Thompson, from the class Russell Trippet, class of 1977. “This class of 2001 with a degree in tele- through our fingers. We wanted to of 2002, also said he had a very “[Griffin] was wrong on Saturday is the proudest I’ve ever been of communications, now resides in wait until it was official.” personal connection with Griffin’s Baylor. Can’t imagine it getting Wichita, Kan. Goodlad also said much of the victory. He said he takes two things [Dec. 4] when he declared that Baylor better than this. It’s worth all the “Like the rest of Baylor nation, credit for Griffin’s victory should from Baylor’s success this season, down times.” I was ecstatic for him and for the go to Baylor’s sports information the first being his ability to enjoy it had just won its first Heisman trophy.” Trippet said he grew up in Waco university and everybody associ- department, which she worked for with the friends he made at school. -Robert Smith, ESPN, Dec. 5 and started going to Baylor games ated with Baylor,” Rolph said. as a student. “And secondly it reminds me of when he was 5 years old, more than Rolph came in as a freshman “They deserve a lot of credit for my father who passed away from 50 years ago. His father was a team during Baylor’s second year in the this season,” Goodlad said. “Keep- cancer in 2008,” Thompson said in doctor, and Trippet would sit on Big 12 and said there was a lot of ing voters up to speed with Robert, an email to the Lariat. “He would “Nice player, but SEC defenses would the sidelines. He was in New York excitement with a new coach com- making sure he was out there do- always call me after any Baylor win when the Heisman winner was an- ing in. ing interviews, getting his name regardless of the sport. I know he have eaten him alive. Haters get a nounced. “Then we were awful,” he said. out there. Making sure hype was would have been so proud of not clue.” “I just went crazy,” he said. “We “We had six wins total in my four out there.” only RG3 but also the entire past were at the Baylor network dinner. years here. Everybody at school Rolph said he gives much of the two seasons. I couldn’t be prouder -Paul Finebaum, Paul Finebaum Radio Network, Dec. 7 Everybody went nuts. There were loved the team, poured into it, but credit to Baylor athletic director to be a Baylor Bear.” The Breakdown How the media divvied its votes* by region *3 points for each first place vote, 2 for second, 1 for third Robert Andrew Trent Griffin III, Luck, Richardson, Baylor Stanford Alabama Far West 220 315 137 Northeast Southwest 381 188 132 Far West Midwest Mid- Midwest 272 220 125 Atlantic Southwest South 303 182 256 South Mid-Atlantic 254 248 168

Northeast 257 254 160

Total 1,687 1,407 978 MONDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2011 | the Heisman Issue 4 Baylor Lariat www.baylorlariat.com Congratulations, RG3! from Baylor Student Publications

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