The No. 2 Baylor Bears take on Iowa State for Homecoming this Saturday, where they are the best team in the country at winning at home.
Under head coach Art Briles, the team has won 19-straight home games in Waco, the longest active FBS winning streak.
“It’s impressive and I think it says a lot about who we are as a fan base, how we play as a team and how we protect our turf,” Briles said. “That’s all good, but I think that just shows you how hard it is to consistently win.”
Baylor’s premier win streak started nearly three years ago on Homecoming against the Kansas Jayhawks.
Since that time, it’s been nothing but home cooking for the Bears as they’ve rattled off win after win.
The Bears have won their last five homecoming matchups. The past three games have been especially advantageous for Baylor as it has won those by an average margin of 45.3 points.
“We have a point to prove every time we step out on that field,” said junior wide receiver Corey Coleman. “We can’t tolerate anything, so we have to put our foot down and just be at our best. We have great fans, and we don’t want to let anyone down.”
Sophomore linebacker Taylor Young said he always looks forward to the excitement of homecoming and playing for a large crowd.
“It’s always a big deal at home,” Young said. “Seeing everybody in that green and gold, and other people that haven’t been able to come to the games is exciting. It’s a big deal to celebrate homecoming.”
Homecoming just has a different feel, senior left tackle Spencer Drango said.
“At homecoming, there’s a lot more people around Baylor, which is a really cool atmosphere to be around,” Drango said. “It’s electric, not just at the game, but the campus is electric. It’s a really fun environment to [take part in].”
Baylor was one of the first five schools to ever celebrate Homecoming and Drango recognized the significance.
“I think we have [one of] the longest Homecoming traditions in the United States, so it’s a big game for Baylor and the University as a whole,” Drango said.”
“We have a lot of alumni coming back, but for us it’s just another game on the schedule.”
Junior quarterback Seth Russell admitted that the 92nd playing of the homecoming game represents a lot for the fans and alumni coming back to support the team, but agreed with Drango, saying it’s just like any other game.
The Bears will take on the Cyclones at McLane Stadium at 11 a.m. Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Baylor notified fans planning to attend Saturday’s game at McLane Stadium to participate in the annual #StripeMcLane game.
