After the final whistle blew in Baylor’s Wednesday night Texas Bowl matchup with Illinois, coach Art Briles tried as hard as he could to appreciate the progress his team made this season.

Despite facing a Gonzaga team that lost its leading scorer for much of Saturday’s game, No. 9 ranked Baylor fell to the unranked Bulldogs, 68-64. Freshman Perry Jones III’s team-high 19 points led the Bears, who were beat in the post and could not maintain an offensive rhythm.

Before speaking at Sunday’s press conference, a smiling head coach Art Briles slapped himself. He offered an explanation to the media in attendance, but there was more understanding among the reporters and camera operators than confusion.

It has been a momentary breath of fresh air for the Bears since their last regular season game on Nov. 20, but this year the breath is shorter than it has been in 16 seasons as they look to down the Fighting Illini Dec. 29 in the Texas Bowl.

A look back at the Bears’ 7-5 campaign

In 3 weeks, Baylor will head down to Houston, Texas, to face the Illinois Illini in the fifth Texas Bowl held at Reliant Stadium.

Baylor’s seniors will have one last game to wear the green and gold; they will have one last chance to showcase their abilities on the field and possibly earn their eighth win of this season. Here is a recap a just few of the seniors who have made an impact.

Driving to Houston to support our Baylor Bears in their first bowl game since 1994 will be an exciting affair. The real question is: What do you do in the down time before and after the game?