What Is 2014 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

Overview

The 2014 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl featured a matchup between the Baylor Bears from the Big 12 Conference and the Michigan State Spartans from the Big Ten Conference. Played on December 30, 2014, the game was held at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, and aired on ESPN.

This edition of the bowl was notable for its high offensive output and dramatic finish. Despite being a defensive powerhouse, Michigan State engaged in a shootout, ultimately falling just one point short in a thrilling contest.

• Baylor entered the game with an 11–1 record, their only loss coming to Oklahoma in October, and they were ranked No. 7 in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
• Michigan State finished the regular season 10–2, with a loss to Ohio State and a close defeat to Michigan, but remained a top-15 team nationally.
• The final score was 41–40 in favor of Baylor, marking one of the closest and most exciting finishes in the bowl’s history.
• Over 50,000 fans attended the game at Sun Devil Stadium, which has hosted the bowl since 2006 under various sponsor names.
• Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Bears’ explosive offense despite battling an injury late in the season.

Performance Breakdown

The game showcased elite quarterback play and aggressive offensive strategies from both teams, with minimal reliance on defense in the second half. Each possession became critical as both teams traded scores deep into the fourth quarter.

• First Quarter Momentum: Baylor struck first with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Petty to Tevin Reese, setting an aggressive tone early in the game.
• Second Quarter Surge: Michigan State responded with two touchdowns, including a 33-yard scoring pass from Connor Cook to Tony Lippett, to take a 21–14 halftime lead.
• Third Quarter Reversal: Baylor regained control with 17 unanswered points, including a 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a Glasco Martin run.
• Fourth Quarter Drama: With under two minutes left, Baylor took a 41–34 lead, but Michigan State answered with a touchdown to make it 41–40 and failed on the two-point conversion.
• Defensive Efforts: Despite the high score, Michigan State’s defense forced two fumbles, including one recovered by defensive end Marcus Rush in Baylor territory.
• Special Teams Impact: Baylor kicker Aaron Jones made all five of his extra-point attempts and contributed to field position with strong kickoffs.

Comparison at a Glance

Key statistical categories highlight the offensive nature of the game and the near-equality between the two teams.

Despite Michigan State holding the ball for over five minutes longer, Baylor’s explosive plays and efficient scoring drives allowed them to edge ahead. The Spartans had more first downs (25 to 21) but couldn’t convert the final two-point attempt after their last touchdown.

Why It Matters

The 2014 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl is remembered as one of the most exciting non-New Year’s Six bowl games of the season, showcasing the shift toward high-scoring college football. It also served as a final showcase for seniors like Petty and Cook before they entered the NFL Draft.

• Baylor finished ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll, their highest final ranking since 1980, validating their strong season despite missing the playoff.
• Michigan State’s loss snapped a seven-game winning streak to end the regular season, including a Big Ten Championship victory over Ohio State.
• The game featured 87 combined points, the second-highest total in the bowl’s history at the time, highlighting offensive dominance.
• Both quarterbacks threw for over 350 yards, a rare feat in a single bowl game and a testament to modern college passing attacks.
• Baylor’s win improved their bowl record to 17–24–1 all-time, marking their first victory in a December bowl since 2011.
• The game drew a TV audience of 6.2 million viewers, one of the highest for a non-televised-network bowl that season.

The 2014 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl underscored the unpredictability and entertainment value of college football’s postseason, proving that even non-elite bowls can deliver unforgettable finishes and national attention.