The national telecast of the 2011 Valero Alamo Bowl between Washington and Baylor earned a 5.1 rating and averaged 5.1 million households making it the #5 most-watched non-BCS bowl game in ESPN history.
The Valero Alamo Bowl now holds three of Top 5 positions on that list including the #1 and #2 most-watched non-BCS games in ESPN history with Michigan State vs. Texas Tech (1/2/2010) and Texas vs. Iowa (12/30/2006), respectively.
This year’s game also shattered the Valero Alamo Bowl record book and broke the 10 NCAA bowl records and tied four others listed below.
Making A Point…Washington and Baylor set the all-time NCAA bowl record for combined points in regulation, and second-most overall with 123. In the 2001 GMAC Bowl between Marshall and East Carolina, the teams combined for 102 points in regulation and 125 points overall after overtime. The 43 combined points in the third quarter is an NCAA bowl record as is Baylor’s 67 points in the game.
The 59 combined points in the first half (which Washington led 35-24) set a Valero Alamo Bowl record for points in a half. In the second half, the two teams broke this record with 64 combined points. For the game, the 123 total points is the most in Alamo Bowl history (surpassing the 83 points in 2000 in Nebraska’s 66-17 win over Northwestern).
They Keep Going and Going….Washington and Baylor broke the combined total offense record of any bowl game in NCAA history with 1,397 yards. The previous all-time bowl record was 1,211 total yards in the 2005 Insight Bowl. The previous Alamo Bowl record was 1,019 total yards in 2000.
Moving The Chains…Baylor set an NCAA bowl record with 777 total yards of offense and 33 first downs. Washington finished with 620 total yards and 26 first downs. Baylor’s first down totals are an Alamo Bowl record as are the 59 combined first downs.
Protecting the Rock: Despite the offensive outpouring and 70 combined pass attempts, neither team threw an interception which tied an NCAA bowl record as did Washington for committing zero first half penalties. For the game, the Huskies had a penalty and Baylor committed eight.
Back-And-Forth…There were five lead changes and two ties in the 2011 Valero Alamo Bowl. Baylor overcame an 18-point deficit, which is an Alamo Bowl record comeback. Six of the last seven Alamo Bowls have been in doubt until the closing minutes.
Bringing Home The Prize…Baylor captured its first bowl win since the 1992 John Hancock Bowl and avenged their 1994 Alamo Bowl loss to Washington State. The 2011 Valero Alamo Bowl represented head coach Art Briles’ first bowl victory as a head coach and only the second 10-win season for Baylor. The program’s other 10-win season came under Grant Teaff in 1980.
Quick Start…With Baylor taking a 21-7 lead to start the game, the 28 combined points were the most points scored in the 1st quarter in the history of the Valero Alamo Bowl as were the 43 combined points in the third quarter.