GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Baylor’s first BCS bowl appearance was a big-time bust.
The sixth-ranked Bears, a 17-point favorite in the Fiesta Bowl at kickoff, never led against No. 15 Central Florida in a stinging 52-42 loss Wednesday night.
This was supposed to be the most one-sided of all the BCS bowls this year, but UCF, not Baylor, had the unstoppable offense. The Bears did roll up 550 yards, but UCF had 556 and fewer mistakes.
The Knights (12-1) scored touchdowns on their first two possessions. Baylor (11-2) tied it at 28 with 10:18 left in the third quarter, but UCF outscored the Bears 24-14 from there in the highest-scoring Fiesta Bowl and second-highest BCS bowl ever.
The Bears were penalized 17 times for 135 yards to UCF’s four for 40 yards.