Bears Head West to Qwest

9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football

Sept. 12, 2006

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GAME THREE

BAYLOR (1-1) vs.

WASHINGTON STATE (1-1)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16, 2006 • 2:00 P.M. PDT

QWEST FIELD (67,000)

SEATTLE, WASH.

SERIES RECORD

Baylor leads 3-1

LAST MEETING

Washington State 10, Baylor 3 [12.31.94]

Alamo Bowl; San Antonio, Texas

COACHES

BAYLOR: Guy Morriss (TCU, 1973)

Record at Baylor: 12-24 (4th season)

Career Record: 21-38 (6th season)

Record vs. WSU: 0-0

WSU: Bill Doba (Ball State, 1962)

Record at WSU: 20-17 (4th season)

Career Record: 20-17 (4th season)

Record vs. Baylor: 0-0

BAYLOR/ISP RADIO NETWORK

John Morris, play-by-play

J.J. Joe, color analyst

Ricky Thompson, sideline

Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 159

INTERNET FEEDS

www.BaylorBears.com

BEARS HEAD TO THE EVERGREEN STATE

Baylor returns to action Saturday, Sept. 16, traveling to Seattle, Wash., to face Washington State. Kickoff between the Bears and the Cougars is scheduled for 2 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. CDT) at Qwest Field, home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears (1-1) defeated Northwestern State 47-10 at home Saturday night. The Cougars (1-1) topped Idaho 56-10 at home that same day. Both teams lost their season openers to ranked opponents -- Baylor to TCU and Washington State to Auburn.

This marks the first time since 1965 and only the fourth time in school history that Baylor has played a game in the Union's 42nd state. The Bears played at the University of Washington in 1955 (W 13-7), at Washington in 1964 (L 35-14) and at Washington State in 1966 (W 20-14).

BAYLOR-WASHINGTON STATE SERIES

Baylor and Washington State meet for the fifth time Saturday, the fourth time in regular-season action. The Bears lead the series 3-1. The Cougars won the last meeting, defeating Baylor 10-3 in the 1994 Alamo Bowl (Baylor's last bowl game).

The teams first met Oct. 4, 1952, a 31-7 Baylor victory in Waco. The Bears posted a 20-14 win over the Cougars in 1966; the game was played at Spokane, Wash. Baylor topped Washington State 10-7 in Waco the following season.

Baylor and Washington State are scheduled to meet again Sept. 13, 2008, in Waco.

BAYLOR vs. PAC-10 CONFERENCE FOES

Baylor is 12-10 all-time against teams currently playing football as members of the Pac-10 Conference; this is the Bears' first game against a Pac-10 team under head coach Guy Morriss.

Along with a 3-1 mark against Washington State, the Bears are 2-3 against Southern California, 3-1 against Washington, 1-3 against Oregon State, 2-1 against California, 1-0 against Arizona and 1-0 against Arizona State.

BAYLOR IN ROAD OPENERS

Baylor is 4-6 in its last 10 road openers, including one game at a neutral site. The Bears defeated Louisiana Tech 24-16 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., to open the 1996 season and then won 14-13 at Louisville the following week. The Bears dropped four straight road openers from 2001 to 2004, snapping the skid last year at SMU.

QUICK NOTES

• Baylor is 3-1 all-time in the state of Washington.

• Baylor has won three of its last six road games, including two straight non-conference road games. Prior to that span, the Bears dropped 24 consecutive games away from Floyd Casey Stadium.

• Baylor is 4-3 in non-conference road games following home wins since 1988. The five wins were at Kansas (1988), at Colorado (1991), at San Jose State (1994) and at Army (2005). The three losses were at Colorado (1993), at Southern California (1994) and at New Mexico (2002).

• Baylor has not allowed a first-quarter touchdown in three straight games.

• The Bears have out-scored their opponents 65-7 in the first half over the last three games.

• QB Shawn Bell has passed for at least 200 yards in four consecutive games. This feat has been accomplished only once before in Baylor history. Don Trull had a string of seven consecutive games with at least 200 yards passing during the 1963 season.

• Baylor's average scoring drive this season is 3.8 plays, 31.1 yards in 1:05, compared to 7.3 plays, 44.7 yards in 2:45 last season.

• Baylor's longest scoring drive this season is 2:26 (nine scores).

• Of Baylor's nine scoring drives, five have been less than one minutes in duration (three have been less than 40 seconds).

• Baylor has registered six plays longer than 40 yards this season in two games. The Bears totaled 11 plays longer than 40 yards in 11 games last season.

BAYLOR-WASHINGTON STATE CONNECTIONS

• Seven Cougars prepped at Texas high schools: RB Christoper Ivory (Longview), CB Kerry Maddox (Tyler-John Tyler), SS Desmond Murff (Dallas-Hebron), TE Jason Price (Denton-Sanger), LB Jason Stripling (Tyler-Lee), LB Greg Trent (Keller) and RB DeMaundray Woolridge (Keller).

• Baylor OG Will Blaylock and WR Ernest Smith also prepped at John Tyler but neither ever played with Maddox.

• Baylor RB Mario Price also prepped at Keller but never played with Trent nor Woolridge.

BEARS WESTWARD BOUND

Saturday's game against Washington State at Seattle marks the 12th time since 1984 Baylor has played a game west of the Rockies. The Bears are 5-6 in their last 11 trips to the West.

BAYLOR WEST-COAST TRIPS SINCE 1984

1984 No. 13 BYU 47, Baylor 13 Provo, Utah

1985 BAYLOR 20, No. 3 Southern California 13 Los Angeles, Calif.

1987 BAYLOR 21, UNLV 14 Las Vegas, Nev.

1990 Arizona State 34, BAYLOR 14 Tempe, Ariz.

1991 Indiana 24, BAYLOR 0 Tucson, Ariz. (Copper Bowl)

1993 BAYLOR 28, Utah State 24 Logan, Utah

1994 BAYLOR 54, San Jose State 20 San Jose, Calif.

1994 No. 19 Southern California 37, BAYLOR 27 Los Angeles, Calif.

1997 BAYLOR 37, Fresno State 35 Fresno, Calif.

1998 Oregon State 27, BAYLOR 17 Corvalis, Ore.

2002 California 70, BAYLOR 22 Berkeley, Calif.

SHELTON SETS CONSECUTIVE RECEPTIONS RECORD

WR Trent Shelton has recorded at least one reception in 35 consecutive games, breaking Baylor's all-time record established by Reggie Newhouse from 2000 to 2002. Shelton's streak is the fifth-longest among active players in Division I-A. He also has recorded at least two receptions in 12 consecutive games.

WR Dominique Zeigler has recorded at least one reception in 22 consecutive games, the 14th-longest streak in Division I-A. In fact, Zeigler has recorded at least two receptions in each of those 22 games. Zeigler did not play in Baylor's game against Northwestern State, nor did he play against Oklahoma in the 2004 season finale.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A RECEPTION, ACTIVE DIVISION I-A PLAYERS

39 - Steve Odom Sr. WR Toledo

38 - Vincent Marshall Sr. WR Houston

38 - Johnny Quinn Sr. WR North Texas

36 - Brian Leonard Sr. FB Rutgers

35 - Trent Shelton Sr. WR BAYLOR

32 - Clark Harris Sr. TE Rutgers

28 - Ryne Robinson Sr. WR Miami (Ohio)

27 - Dwayne Jarrett Jr. WR Southern California

26 - Shaun Hebert Sr. WR Northwestern

25 - Craig Davis Jr. WR Louisiana State

25 - Calvin Johnson Jr. WR Georgia Tech

25 - Caleb Spencer Sr. WR Nevada

24 - Eric Deslauriers Sr. WR Eastern Michigan

22 - Dominique Zeigler Sr. WR BAYLOR

BELL AGAIN ETCHES NAME IN BAYLOR RECORDS BOOK

QB Shawn Bell established career highs with 288 yards passing against Northwestern State. It was the third consecutive game in which Bell established a career high in passing yardage, dating back to the 2005 season finale against Oklahoma State.

Bell finished the night 25-of-41 with four touchdowns and one interception. His passing yardage total tied for the 18th-best single-game tally in school history. It also was his ninth career game of at least 200 yards, tying for third on Baylor's all-time list. Bell has passed for at least 200 yards in four consecutive games, joining Don Trull as the only Baylor quarterbacks to reach the two-century mark in at least four straight games (Trull did so in seven straight).

Bell's four touchdown passes tied the school record, a feat which has been been accomplished five times. It marked the first time a Baylor quarterback had four touchdown passes in a non-overtime game since 1966 when Terry Southall did so against Syracuse. Bell, who also had four scoring passes in an overtime game against Texas A&M in 2004, is the only Baylor signal caller to record two four-touchdown games.

With 25 completions on the night, Bell moved into third place on Baylor's career completions list with 374. He trails only Brad Goebel (375) and Jeff Watson (425). In comparison, Bell reached 374 career completions in 109 fewer completions than Goebel and 118 fewer attempts than Watson.

Bell's career completion percentage (.604) is the best in Baylor history and ranks 11th among active Division I-A quarterbacks.

WILSON PLAYS SET-UP MAN

CB C.J. Wilson leads the Big 12 Confence and is tied for the national lead with three interceptions this season. All three Wilson interceptions have led to Baylor touchdowns.

His interception against TCU was followed by a four-play, 35-yard touchdown drive. His first interception against Northwestern State was followed immediatedly by a 46-yard Shawn Bell-to-Trent Shelton touchdown pass. Wilson took care of the scoring himself with his second interception against Northwestern State, returning it 52 yards for a touchdown.

Wilson's two-pick night against Northwestern State was the first multiple-interception game of his career and the first by a Baylor player since Samir AL-AMIN against Southern Illinois in the 2001 season finale. Wilson's pick six was the first by a Baylor defensive back since Al-Amin returned both interceptions in that Southern Illinois contest.

With five interceptions last season and three picks this season, Wilson is two shy of joining Jackie Allen (1966-68), Howard Fields (1976-79) and Vic Vines (1979-82) in a tie for 10th on Baylor's all-time career list.

SHELTON ENJOYS CAREER NIGHT AGAINST DEMONS

WR Trent Shelton established a career high with 158 receiving yards on nine catches last week against Northwestern State. It was the 14th-best single-game tally in school history and the best since Reggie Newhouse had 173 yards on nine snags against Kansas State in 2002. In fact, Shelton and Newhouse -- who accomplished the feat twice -- are the only Baylor receivers to reach the 150-yard plateau in a game over the last 10 seasons.

With his performance against Northwestern State, Shelton moved into seventh place on Baylor's all-time career receiving yardage list at 1,395. He passed Bruce Davis (1,393), Charles Dancer (1,390), Kalief Muhammad (1,300) and teammate Dominique Zeigler (1,238). Zeigler, who did not play against Northwestern State, entered the game one yard ahead of Shelton.

Shelton also is sixth all-time at Baylor with 116 receptions, two behind Zeigler.

INTERCEPTIONS LEAD TO TOUCHDOWNS OF LATE

Five of Baylor's last seven interceptions have led to touchdowns, including two returned for touchdowns. Three of those six interceptions were in the 2005 season finale against Oklahoma State.

OPPONENT INT RETURN SPOT RESULT

Oklahoma State Jamaal Harper 15 yards OSU 1 TD: Mosley 1 run

Oklahoma State Colin Allred 25 yards OSU 0 TD: Allred 25 INT return

Oklahoma State Dwain Crawford 6 yards BU 32 6-play drive, punt

TCU C.J. Wilson 46 yards TCU 20 TD: Bell 21 pass to Baker

NW State C.J. Wilson 0 yards TCU 46 TD: Bell 46 pass to Shelton

NW State C.J. Wilson 52 yards BU 48 TD: Wilson 52 INT return

NW State Jake La Mar 5 yards NSU 48 3-play drive, punt

BAYLOR IN BIG 12 STATISTICAL RANKINGS

Through games of Sept. 9, Baylor ranks ninth in the Big 12 and 70th nationally in total offense (341.5 ypg). The Bears are eighth in the Big 12 and 68th nationally in total defense (330.0 ypg). Here is a look at how Baylor ranks in the conference/nation:

Scoring Offense: 11th/60th (27.0 ppg)

Total Offense: 9th/70th (341.5 ypg)

First Downs: t-6th (41)

Rushing Offense: 12th/117th (33.5 ypg)

Passing Offense: 2nd/7th (308.0 ypg)

Pass Efficiency Offense: 8th/56th (135.03)

Third-Down Efficiency: 6th (48.1 pct.; 13-of-27)

Fourth-Down Efficiency: t-10th (0.0 pct.; 0-of-2)

Red Zone Efficiency: t-7th (80.0 pct.; 4-of-5, 3 TDs)

Sacks Allowed: t-8th/t-52nd (1.5 spg)

Scoring Defense: 6th/31st (13.5 ppg)

Total Defense: 9th/6th (330.0 ypg)

First Downs Allowed: 6th (30)

Rushing Defense: 9th/61st (122.5 ypg)

Passing Defense: 8th/69th (207.5 ypg)

Pass Efficiency Defense: 6th/62nd (125.04)

Third-Down Efficiency: 11th (40.0 pct.; 12-of-30)

Fourth-Down Efficiency: t-1st (0.0 pct.; 0-of-0)

Red Zone Efficiency: t-7th (100.0 pct.; 3-of-3, 2 TDs)

Tackles for Loss: 6th/22nd (7.5 tpg)

Sacks: 8th/t-42nd (2.0 spg)

Penalties: 12th (92.5 ypg)

Opponent Penalties: 1st (104.0 ypg)

Time of Possession: 11th (25:48 avg.)

Kickoff Returns: 4th/9th (32.5 ypr)

Punt Returns: 10th/69th (6.4 ypr)

Net Punting: 11th/91st (32.3 ypp)

Field Goals: 3rd (.667; 2-of-3)

PAT Percentage: 12th (.857; 6-of-7)

Net Kickoff: 12th (21.5 avg.)

Turnover Margin: 1st/t-11th (+1.50)

WILSON TIED FOR NATIONAL INTERCEPTION LEAD

CB C.J. Wilson is one of three players nationally with three interceptions on the season, joining Quintin Demps of UTEP and Jonathan Zenon of LSU. Donny Baker of San Diego State has two interceptions in one game and leads the nation in interceptions per game; Wilson, Demps and Zenon are tied for second nationally in picks per contest.

OTHER BEARS IN BIG 12 AND NATIONAL RANKINGS

• QB Shawn Bell ranks third in the Big 12 and 12th nationally with 287.0 yards of total offense per game. Bell also ranks ninth in the Big 12 and 55th nationally with a 132.63 passing efficiency rating.

• WR Trent Shelton is second in the Big 12 and tied for 13th nationally with 7.0 receptions per game. Shelton also ranks second in the league and 13th nationally with 109.5 receiving yards per game. Shelton ranks 10th in the Big 12 and 81st nationally with 109.5 all-purpose yards per game.

• ROV Jake La Mar ranks fourth in the Big 12 and tied for 36th nationally with 0.5 interceptions per game.

• PK Ryan Havens ranks fifth in the Big 12 and tied for 35th nationally with 1.0 field goals per game.

• P Daniel Sepulveda ranks third in the Big 12 and 36th nationally with a 39.9 yards per punt average.

NOTES FROM THE NORTHWESTERN STATE GAME

• Baylor's defense held consecutive opponents scoreless in the first half for the first time since 1995 (Texas Tech and Houston).

• Northwestern State's 20 penalties were the most ever by a Baylor opponent.

• Three Bears made their first career starts: RB Mario Price, WR Ernest Smith and LB Joe Pawelek.

• CB C.J. Wilson recorded an interception in consecutive games for the second time in his career. He also accomplished the feat in the Oklahoma and Texas Tech games last season.

• Wilson's 52-yard interception return for TD in the first quarter was the first TD of his career.

• Wilson is the first Baylor player with a multiple-interception game since Samir AL-AMIN had two against Southern Illinois in 2001.

• Wilson's interception return for a TD was Baylor's first since Colin Allred's 25-yard return against Oklahoma State last season. It was the first interception return for a TD by a Baylor defensive back since Al-Amin had two against Southern Illinois in 2001.

• WR Trent Shelton's 158 yards receiving were the most by a Baylor player since Reggie Newhouse had 173 yards against Kansas State in 2002.

• QB Shawn Bell was intercepted in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

• ROV Jake La Mar's second-quarter interception was the first of his career.

• FS Jordan Lake's third-quarter fumble forced and fumble recovery were the firsts of his career.

• IR Trey Payne's third-quarter TD reception was the first of his career.

• Payne recorded his second TD reception in the fourth quarter.

• IR Mikail Baker's 42-yard kickoff return in the third quarter was a career long.

• IR Thomas White recorded his first career receptions, receiving yards and TD receptions (2).

• QB Blake Szymanski saw his first career action and recorded his first career attempts, completion and yards.

BAYLOR NAMES TRIO CAPTAINS FOR 2006

By vote of their teammates, QB Shawn Bell, CB C.J. Wilson and WR Dominique Zeigler serve as Baylor captains for the 2006 season. Bell also served as a captain in 2005.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

C.J. Wilson's 52-yard interception return for a touchdown last Saturday against Northwestern State was Baylor's 14th non-offensive score in 36 games under head coach Guy Morriss. The 2005 Bears produced four such scores, including both punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns by return specialist Shaun Rochon, a 29-yard fumble return touchdown by Jamaal Harper and a 25-yard interception return touchdown LB Colin Allred.

The 2004 Bears forced just nine turnovers and Baylor ranked No. 113 nationally in turnover margin at minus 1.36 per game. But, in 2005, Baylor forced 29 opponent miscues (13 fumbles and 16 interceptions) to rank No. 30 nationally in turnover margin at plus 0.45 per game.

Through games of Sept. 9, Baylor ranks first in the Big 12 and tied for 11th nationally in turnover margin at plus-1.50.

• 2003 vs. UAB -- James Todd blocked punt for safety

• 2003 vs. Colorado -- Jamaal Harper 7-yard fumble return (forced by Derrick Cash)

• 2003 at Kansas -- James Todd blocked punt recovery in end zone (blocked by Michael Boyd)

• 2003 at Kansas State -- Robert Quiroga 98-yard kickoff return

• 2003 vs. Texas Tech -- Robert Quiroga 100-yard kickoff return

• 2003 vs. Oklahoma State -- Willie Andrews 30-yard fumble return (forced by John Garrett)

• 2004 vs. Texas State -- Justin Crooks 9-yard fumble return (forced by Montez Murphy)

• 2004 vs. North Texas -- Braelon Davis blocked punt recovery in end zone (blocked by Davis)

• 2004 vs. Iowa State -- Braelon Davis defensive PAT (interception return)

• 2005 vs. Samford -- Jamaal Harper 29-yard fumble return (forced by Colin Allred)

• 2005 vs. Samford -- Shaun Rochon 85-yard punt return

• 2005 at Oklahoma -- Shaun Rochon 98-yard kickoff return

• 2005 vs. Oklahoma State -- Colin Allred 25-yard interception return

• 2006 vs. Northwestern State -- C.J. Wilson 52-yard interception return

BEARS HONOR FORMER ASSISTANT COACH ADAMS

Baylor's jerseys feature black TA patches in 2006. These patches are in memorial of former defensive line coach Tom Adams, who passed away Aug. 2 after a battle with cancer.

Adams served as Baylor's defensive line coach during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. While with the Bears, Adams coached 2004 NFL draftee Khari Long and 2004 Associated Press All-Big 12 defensive end Montez Murphy.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Two years after fielding the nation's second-youngest football team, Baylor's 2006 hopes may well rest on the shoulders of its 31 seniors, 25 of whom are fifth-year players. Of those 31 seniors, 16 were listed No. 1 at their respective position on the Bears' preseason depth chart -- eight on offense, six on defense as well as its No. 1 place-kicker and punter.

The Baylor roster featured an average of just 17.3 seniors over its first 10 seasons in the Big 12 and only once prior to 2006 had the Bears carried more than 20 seniors (the 2002 roster listed 22 seniors) on the squad.

DUAL-SPORT ATHLETES

Baylor's 2006 roster features four dual-sport athletes: WR David Gettis, LB Joe Pawelek, WR Carl Sims and WR Queito Teasley.

Gettis is one of the nation's top-rated 400-meter runners in track. Pawelek is a catcher on Baylor's baseball team; he sat out the 2006 season as a redshirt. Sims appeared in 10 games at guard for Baylor's basketball team during the 2005-2006 campaign. Teasley earned All-Big 12 honors in the long jump and was a member of Baylor's Big 12 champion 4x100-meter relay team in 2006.

CB Braelon Davis and WR Dominique Zeigler both ran track previously in their time at Baylor. Davis was a sprinter; Zeigler competed in the high jump. Both Davis and Zeigler earned All-Big 12 honors in track.

BAND OF BROTHERS

Baylor is one of six Division I-A schools with at least three sets of brothers on its football roster. The Bears' brothers are the Thad and Yancy Boatner, Jake and Luke LaMar, and Desmond and Quincy Jenkins.

BYU sports six sets of brothers, most of any program in the nation. Army, UCLA and Virginia Tech have four sets each; UCLA's total includes one set of three brothers. Baylor and North Carolina State both have three sets.

SEPULVEDA NAMED TO GUY AWARD WATCH LIST

P Daniel Sepulveda is one of six members on the Greater Augusta Sports Council's 2006 Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List, comprised of the top non-graduating finalists from the previous year and Sepulveda, the award's 2004 winner. Also on the list are Purdue's Dave Brytus, Georgia's Gordon Ely-Kelson, Virginia Tech's Nic Schmitt, Kansas' Kyle Tucker and Florida's Eric Wilbur.

Sepulveda, who was selected as the nation's No. 1 punter by The Sporting News in its 2006 preview magazine, ranked second in the Big 12 and third nationally with a 46.18-yard punting average in 2005 en route to All-America and All-Big 12 honors. That averaged ranked as the second-best single-season average in Baylor history, just ahead of his 2004 mark of 46.0 ypp.

The Ray Guy Award is presented to the nation's best collegiate punter as determined by a national selection committee made up of sports writers, college football coaches and sports information directors, former punters and members designated by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. Wake Forest's Ryan Plackemeier won the 2005 Ray Guy Award.

BELL NAMED TO MANNING AWARD WATCH LIST

QB Shawn Bell was among 22 student-athletes named to the 2006 Manning Award Watch List, announced Aug. 23 by the Sugar Bowl Committee. Bell joins Iowa State's Bret Meyer and Nebraska's Zac Taylor as the only Big 12 Conference quarterbacks on the list. Also on the list is Washington State's Alex Brink, whom the Bears face Sept. 16 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Wash.

The Manning Award was created in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and will be presented to the recipient following the holiday bowl season. It is the only quarterback award which takes into consideration the candidates' bowl performances.

The winner will be determined by a select panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings.

2006 MANNING AWARD WATCH LIST

Erik Ainge (Tennessee), Reggie Ball (Georgia Tech), Shawn Bell (Baylor), Colt Brennan (Hawai'i), Alex Brink (Washington State), Brian Brohm (Louisville), Brandon Cox (Auburn), Chad Henne (Michigan), Chris Leak (Florida), Bret Meyer (Iowa State), Blake Mitchell (South Carolina), Curtis Painter (Purdue), Jordan Palmer (UTEP), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), JaMarcus Russell (LSU), Troy Smith (Ohio State), Drew Stanton (Michigan State), Drew Tate (Iowa), Zac Taylor (Nebraska), Drew Weatherford (Florida State), Patrick White (West Virginia), and Kyle Wright (Miami)

WILSON NAMED TO THORPE AWARD WATCH LIST

Senior All-America candidate CB C.J. Wilson, who earned first-team 2005 All-Big 12 honors from six media outlets at cornerback, is one of 33 players named to the 2006 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List. Wilson is one of four Big 12 players selected to the list, joining Texas' Michael Griffin, Missouri's David Overstreet and Oklahoma's Reggie Smith. The list was derived through a point system based on 10 preseason All-American teams.

Wilson headlines a Baylor defense whose 2006 strength could well be the secondary. Wilson shared the Big 12 lead and tied for ninth nationally with a team-high five interceptions in 2005.

He also ranked seventh on the team in tackles with 45 stops and was tied for seventh in the Big 12 with 0.91 passes defended per game. Wilson needs five interceptions in his final Green and Gold campaign to crack the Bears' all-time list.

THE GRADUATES

Baylor is one of 10 schools in Division I-A with at least six graduates on its 2006 football roster, according to research conducted by Tony Neely at the University of Kentucky. Auburn leads the way with 11, followed by Notre Dame and Texas Tech (nine each); Miami, Fla. (eight); Boston College, Louisiana Tech and Penn State (seven each); and Baylor, Kentucky and West Virginia (six each).

2006 BAYLOR BEARS WHO HAVE COMPLETED UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

QB Shawn Bell May 2006 B.S.Ed., physical education

OT Travis Farst May 2006 B.S., communication studies

IR Andrew Heard * May 2004 B.S., communication studies

OS Maurice Linguist August 2006 B.S., communication studies

RB Mario Price August 2006 B.S.Ed., health science studies

CB James Todd May 2006 B.S., communication studies

* - Texas Tech graduate

BEARS TAP TEXAS TALENT POOL

Baylor leads the Big 12 Conference with 111 former Texas high school athletes on its 2006 football roster, according to research by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. The Bears also rank first in the conference with 40 student-athletes from Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex high schools. The other 14 Bears hail from Louisiana (three), California (two), Oklahoma (two), Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia (one each).

SCHOOL DFW TEXAS

BAYLOR 40 111

Texas 27 105

Texas Tech 24 99

Texas A&M 14 91

Oklahoma