The Most Unforgettable Moments Ever Played at McLane Stadium
When you talk about McLane Stadium, you gotta say it with your chest—because this ain’t just a place where Baylor plays ball. It’s where Waco wobbles, legends get made, and the energy hits different. Built on the banks of the Brazos, this stadium brings the vibes, the views, and the vicious dubs.
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From 61–58 thrillers to field-storming upsets, McLane has seen it all. And believe me, the games that shook this place? They weren’t just wins—they were moments that made Baylor believers outta everybody.
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So lace up, sit tight, and let’s run through the Top 10 Games at McLane Stadium That Shook Waco
10. Homecoming Beatdown vs. No. 19 BYU (2021) – Bears Put the Nation on Notice
Homecoming hit different in Waco that year.
Abram Smith was a grown man on a mission. Gerry Bohanon? Calm, cool, and cooking. From the first snap, Baylor came out swinging—fast, physical, and flat-out fearless.
The Cougars showed up ranked, but the Bears showed up ready. That offensive line? Bulldozers. The defense? Dogs. And McLane? Loud enough to shake the scoreboard.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a warning shot to the rest of college football.
Baylor runs through No. 19 BYU 38–24 on a statement-making Saturday.
9. Homecoming Win vs. Kansas (2022) – Bears Go Out With a Statement
The vibes were electric, but Baylor’s execution was even louder. On a crisp October day in Waco, Richard Reese exploded for 186 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, turning Senior Day into a highlight reel. The defense bullied the Jayhawks, and the crowd never stopped roaring—even during crunch time.
This wasn’t just a homecoming win—it was an exclamation point. McLane stood tall, the Bears dominated, and Waco knew it: this team was built different.
Final: Baylor 35, Kansas 23
8. Comeback over West Virginia (2019) – Bears Rally Late to Protect Home Turf
Waco was rocking on Halloween night, but for three quarters, it felt like a nightmare for Baylor fans. The Bears were sluggish, trailing and searching for a spark. Then came the fourth quarter.
Charlie Brewer locked in. The defense tightened. And suddenly, McLane Stadium turned into a pressure cooker. Baylor clawed back, drive by drive, and when the dust settled, they walked out with the dub — and their perfect season intact.
No. 12 Baylor defeats West Virginia 17–14 in a gritty Big 12 brawl.
7. Win Over Iowa State (2021) – Statement Win in a Ranked Matchup
McLane Stadium was buzzing early as unranked Baylor welcomed No. 14Iowa State in a Big 12 showdown that felt like a tone-setter for the rest of the season. Gerry Bohanon got things rolling with two touchdown passes and a rushing score, carving up the Cyclone defense with confidence.
But it was special teams and defense that sealed the deal. A clutch 98-yard kickoff return by Trestan Ebner flipped the game, and a late fourth-quarter stop on a 2-point conversion attempt shut the door.
Baylor outlasts No. 14 Iowa State 31–29 in a top-25 September thriller.
6. Baylor Holds Off Texas Tech (2021) – Instant Classic Under the Lights
Back and forth. Big plays. High drama. This one had it all.
With the Big 12 title still in reach, Blake Shapen stepped in with poise, delivering two touchdown strikes and keeping the chains moving. Abram Smith ran like a man possessed, piling up 117 yards behind a line that refused to back down.
But it all came down to the final seconds. Texas Tech lined up for a 62-yard field goal to tie it — the crowd held its breath… and watched it sail just wide left.
McLane Stadium exploded. Baylor had survived. And the dream stayed alive.
No. 9 Baylor escapes Texas Tech 27–24 in a thriller that left Waco breathless.
5. McLane Stadium Debut vs. SMU (2014) – A Shutout in the Stadium Opener
New home. New energy. Same explosive Baylor.
Bryce Petty and the Bears kicked off a new era in style, torching SMU under the Waco lights in McLane Stadium’s first-ever game. The offense sizzled. The defense smothered. And the fans? Loud from start to finish.
This wasn’t just a win — it was a warning shot to the rest of the Big 12.
No. 10 Baylor blanks SMU 45–0 to open McLane Stadium with a statement.
4. Baylor Beats Texas in Final Big 12 Meeting (2023) – A Farewell Clash Filled with Fireworks
The rivalry’s last stand in Big 12 play was pure theater. And Baylor showed out.
Blake Shapen was locked in. The offense moved with tempo, the crowd buzzed with emotion, and the defense bent but never broke. In front of a packed McLane Stadium, the Bears sent Texas packing with an explosive, emotional win.
It wasn’t just about beating Texas. It was about protecting home turf one last time before realignment rewrote the script.
Baylor outguns No. 20 Texas 38–31 in their final Big 12 showdown.
3. Baylor Blasts No. 1 Kansas State (2012) – The Night Waco Shocked the Nation
The stakes were sky-high, but Baylor didn’t blink. They blitzed.
On a chilly November night, Floyd Casey Stadium lit up as the Bears faced off with the top-ranked team in the country. But from the opening kick, it was clear — Baylor came to wreck dreams.
Nick Florence threw darts. Lache Seastrunk ran wild. And the defense? Ballhawks. Strip sacks, interceptions, chaos everywhere. Kansas State looked lost, and Waco was wide awake.
The crowd fed off every hit. Every score. Every second of domination. This wasn’t just Baylor’s biggest upset — it was a beatdown that rewrote the record books.
Baylor ambushes No. 1 Kansas State 52–24 in a Waco shocker for the ages.
2. TCU vs. Baylor (2014) – A 61–58 Shootout for the Ages
This was more than a game. This was an all-time Big 12 classic.
Bryce Petty threw for over 500 yards. Corey Coleman was electric. But the real story was the comeback. Baylor trailed 58–37 with 11 minutes left — and then everything flipped.
The Bears scored 24 straight, capped off by a last-second 28-yard field goal to steal the win and keep playoff hopes alive. McLane Stadium never caught its breath. It was chaos in the best way.
No. 5 Baylor stuns No. 9 TCU 61–58 in a wild Waco rally.
1. Baylor Upsets No. 10 Oklahoma (2021) – The Field Stormed, and Waco Rocked
McLane Stadium was shaking. Not from thunder, but from 50,000 fans who witnessed Dave Aranda’s Bears take down a top-10 Oklahoma squad in emphatic fashion.
Gerry Bohanon ran wild, Abram Smith battered the Sooners’ front, and the defense swarmed all game long. When the final whistle blew, the fans didn’t just cheer — they stormed the field. It was loud, it was proud, it was Baylor football at its rowdiest.
No. 13 Baylor knocks off No. 8 Oklahoma 27–14 in a seismic Big 12 upset.
If you loved this trip down memory lane, don’t miss what’s next.
Check out the full Baylor Football Schedule for 2025 and get hyped for more McLane Stadium magic!
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