By Shehan Jeyarajah Sports Writer SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – At first glance, the 43rd annual Fiesta…

Thousands of Baylor fans converged on the Scottsdale Plaza Inn in sunny Arizona to celebrate the accomplishments of a historic season and celebrate the first ever BCS bowl appearance in school history at the Baylor Fiesta Bowl pep rally.

After nearly a month off the field, No. 6 Baylor football (11-1, 8-1) has made the trek to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale to play No. 15 University of Central Florida (11-1, 8-0) in the 43rd annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

At first glance, you might not think that a recliner has anything to do with the Fiesta Bowl, but many Baylor and University of Central Florida players would disagree. When a football team competes in a bowl game, the bowl provides each player with a gift package. This year, many of the players chose a recliner as their Fiesta Bowl gift.

When asked during Big 12 media day back in July whether Baylor could win a Big 12 Championship, senior safety Ahmad Dixon was quick to respond.

“Can God save a hooker?”

Well, it seems as though the answer to that question is an emphatic ‘yes.’

After winning its first Big 12 Championship on Saturday night, Baylor football earned a bid to play in a BCS bowl game for the first time in the history of the BCS. With their conference championship, the Bears are pegged to go to the 43rd annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. where the Bears will face American Athletic Conference champion No. 15 University of Central Florida Knights.

Good things come to those who wait. It couldn’t have been scripted any better for junior quarterback Bryce Petty. After waiting behind former quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Nick Florence, Petty relished his opportunity, leading the Baylor Bears to its first Big 12 Title.

“I kind of just started crying uncontrollably and I don’t really do that much, but it’s just been a process and it’s the fact that when you put your trust in God and he’s faithful, things work out and it’s a great feeling.” Petty said.

Controlling the clock was not a goal for a Baylor offense that outscored opponents by 32 points per game despite opponents winning the time of possession battle by five minutes per game. Baylor’s ground game was vital to finish out games.

Baylor has plenty of depth at the running back position, beginning with the elusive, electrifying, junior running back Lache Seastrunk. Seastrunk led Baylor with 1,060 rushing yards this season. Seastrunk averaged 7.5 yards per carry, averaging 106.0 yards per game, with 11 touchdowns.