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Bears' defense shows potential in recent loss

Nov. 3, 2009

By Justin Baer
Sports editor

After watching the Bears give up countless opportunities, it was hard for head coach Art Briles not to cringe with frustration in Saturday's 20-10 loss against the University of Nebraska.

Baylor had its chances to notch its first conference victory, but the Bears failed to convert and fell to a disparaging 3-5 overall record (0-4 in Big 12).

However, Briles noted that the opportunities wouldn't have existed if it weren't for his defense's stout second-half play.

The Bears suffocated Nebraska's offense in the second half, not allowing a touchdown in the second half for the first time since Baylor accomplished the feat in 2008 against Northwestern State University.

"I thought there were a couple of things that were pretty inspiring. All of a sudden everything changed in the complexion of the game," Briles said. "It's been a while since we have been able to have fun on the field, and it felt good."

The Bears made a dogmatic statement at the beginning of the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out which led to a 41-yard field goal from Ben Parks. Baylor's aggressive demeanor persisted two series later when junior cornerback Clifton Odom intercepted Nebraska quarterback Cody Green's pass. Odom bolted 45 yards down the field and marched into the end zone unscathed for his first career touchdown.

"I was just in the right place at the right time," Odom said. "It happened so fast. I was definitely thinking of taking it to the house."

Odom's touchdown was the third by a defensive player in 2009, as he joins a club alongside Jason Lamb and Chance Casey.

The Bears' defense surrendered 104 yards of offense in the second half. Free safety Jordan Lake believes the Bears' synergy on defense helped exude the defense's potential.

"I think we finally started living up to our potential," Lake said. "This is how we should have been playing all year. When we play like this, we are one of the best defenses in the Big 12."

Quarterback Nick Florence and the Baylor offense received a mulligan early in the fourth quarter. Florence fumbled an exchange, and it was recovered by Nebraska's defense.

But on the following play, Antonio Johnson swatted the ball out of Green's hand, and Earl Patin recovered it to give the offense a chance to score.

But the Bears' momentum sputtered when Parks missed a 24-yard field goal with 6:28 left in the game that would have made the game a one-possession contest.

Despite the shanked kick, Baylor still had subsequent chances to send the game into overtime, including a pass that slipped through Jarred Salubi's hand in the end zone that would have brought the Bears within three points of the Huskers.

"We gave ourselves opportunities. We just have to finish it out," Briles said. "We had a good chance (to win) late, but today it didn't happen. We have to make it happen."

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