Cotton Bowl Classic

For the Cotton Bowl stadium, see Cotton Bowl (stadium).
Cotton Bowl Classic
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Stadium AT&T Stadium
Location Arlington, Texas
United States
Previous stadiums Cotton Bowl
Previous locations Dallas, Texas
Operated 1937–present
Conference tie-ins At-large/Group of Five (2015–present)
Previous conference tie-ins SWC (1941–95), Big 12 (1997–2014), SEC (1999–2014)
Payout US$7,250,000 (As of 2012)
Sponsors
Mobil (1989–95)
Southwestern Bell Corporation/SBC Communications/AT&T (1997–2014)
Goodyear (2014–)
Former names
Cotton Bowl (1937–88)
Mobil Cotton Bowl (1989–95)
Cotton Bowl (1996)
Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Classic (1997–00)
SBC Communications Cotton Bowl Classic (2001–06)
AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic (2006–2014)
2015 matchup
Michigan State vs. Baylor (MSU 42–41)

The Cotton Bowl Classic is an American college football bowl game that has been held annually since January 1, 1937. Between 1937 and 2009 the game was played at its namesake stadium in Dallas, Texas. The game hosted the champion of the Southwest Conference (SWC) until that conference's dissolution in 1996. The other invited team was often the second-place or third-place finisher in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) or a major independent. From 1999 until 2014, the game also hosted a team from the Big 12 Conference against a team from the SEC. Beginning in 2014, the Cotton Bowl Classic is one of six premier bowl games that are part of the College Football Playoff (CFP).

Currently, the two teams playing in the game are selected by the CFP Selection Committee. Until 2014, the Cotton Bowl selected its teams after the participants in the five Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games and the Capital One (Citrus) Bowl had been selected. In total, these games took either one or two teams from the Big 12 and either two or three teams from the SEC (although the Big 12 does not have an affiliation with the Capital One Bowl like the SEC does). The Cotton Bowl organizers chose from the remaining Big 12 teams and usually chose the conference's runner up if that team was not BCS qualified. That team was usually paired with the SEC West's second place team, as the division winner is either guaranteed a slot in the BCS or the Capital One Bowl (which usually takes the losers of the SEC and Big Ten championship games).

On February 27, 2007, it was announced that the game would move to Cowboys Stadium in nearby Arlington beginning on January 1, 2010.[1] With that announcement, Cotton Bowl Classic officials also began a campaign to become part of the Bowl Championship Series when the current contract featuring the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange bowls expired in 2010.[2] Plans to join the BCS were scrapped shortly after ESPN acquired the rights to the series. In 2013 however, it was announced that the Cotton Bowl would join the aforementioned four bowls as well as the Peach Bowl as a rotating host for semifinal games in the new College Football Playoff (CFP) system beginning in 2014,[3] thus restoring its status as a premier national bowl game in college football.

History

1930s

Action during the 1939 game
between St. Mary's and Texas Tech

The Cotton Bowl Classic was founded in Dallas in 1937 at the Texas State Fair Grounds, when Texas oil executive J. Curtis Sanford financed the first one out of his own pocket. TCU of Fort Worth took on Marquette, winning 16-6, but the game lost money even though some 17,000 attended. Nonetheless, Sanford persevered, and in 1938 the game made a profit as Rice defeated Colorado 28-14, in Houston in front of a crowd of 37,000.

Some 40,000 attended the 1939 match between St. Mary's College of California and Texas Tech, with the Gaels upsetting the undefeated Red Raiders 20-13.

1940s

In 1940, an underdog Clemson team surprised the Boston College Eagles 6-3, in the first and only appearance at the Cotton Bowl Classic by Tigers coach Frank Howard. Attendance at this game was given as 20,000. Later that year, a group of prominent Dallas citizens took over the staging of the game as the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. A few months later, the CBAA became an agency of the Southwest Conference. From 1941 to 1994, the SWC's champion hosted the Cotton Bowl Classic.

In 1943, The Texas Longhorns represented the SWC in their first ever bowl game against a highly ranked Georgia Tech team at the time. Prior to the game, newswriters boasted that Texas did not belong in the same league as Georgia Tech. Texas proved the public wrong by defeating the Yellow Jackets 14-7 in what was mostly a defensive battle. This Cotton Bowl was the first bowl appearance for Texas as the Longhorns would go on to appear in a record 22 Cotton Bowls, the most of any team.

In 1946, Missouri was defeated by Texas, despite the 4th quarter work of freshman fullback Robert (Bob) Lee Clodfelter, who was to mature under Weeb Ewbank at Washington University in St. Louis the next three years.

In 1947 LSU and Arkansas played in front of 38,000 people to a 0-0 tie in what would later become known as the "Ice Bowl." LSU got the better of Arkansas most of the game, but the game truly belonged to the weatherman.

In 1948 Penn State, in a bowl game for the first time in 25 years, played Dallas' SMU to a 13-13 tie. Because none of the Dallas hotels would provide accommodations for the two African-American members of the Penn State team, the Penn State team ended up staying at a Naval Air Station 14 miles from Dallas. This was the first interracial game played at the Cotton Bowl (stadium).[4]

1950s

The 1953 Cotton Bowl would be a rematch of the 1951 bowl game as Texas and Tennessee played for the second time. Texas defensive stars shut out the Vols 16-0 as the Longhorns avenged the previous meeting when Tennessee beat Texas 20-14.

The 1954 Cotton Bowl Classic featured one of the most famous plays in college football history. Rice's Dickey Moegle (last name spelling later changed to "Maegle") began a run around end from his team's 5-yard line and down the open field. Alabama's Tommy Lewis jumped off the bench and tackled Moegle. The referee, Cliff Shaw, saw what happened and signaled touchdown even though Moegle was "tackled" at the 42-yard line.

1960s

In 1960, Syracuse defeated Texas 23-14 to win the national championship. Syracuse was led by bowl MVP Ernie Davis, who ran for one touchdown, caught a Cotton Bowl Classic record 87-yard touchdown, and intercepted a pass leading to a third touchdown. There was a brawl on the field just before the end of the first half; some said it was because of Texas taking cheap shots at Ernie Davis.[5] The University of Texas president Logan Wilson called for an NCAA hearing on the fight after the game. Syracuse Athletic Director Lew Andreas asserted that no one from his university had accused Texas of dirty play, and attributed those claims to members of the media.[6] The issue was dropped shortly thereafter. In 1961, Davis became the first black athlete to win the Heisman Trophy, but died of leukemia before his pro career could begin.

Duke defeated Arkansas 7-6 in the 1961 game. Duke scored with 2:45 remaining and recovered a fumble on the ensuing series to win the game.

In 1962, Texas would again be selected to play in the Cotton Bowl after winning another SWC Crown. This time the Longhorns faced a highly talented Mississippi Rebels team. The game was a low scoring meeting that came down to the final quarter as Texas won 12-7.

In 1964, #1 Texas completed an undefeated season by defeating #2 Navy (led by Heisman Trophy winner and future Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach). The game was played six weeks after the assassination of John F. Kennedy (coincidentally, a retired Naval officer) in Dallas. The 1964 game is the second bowl game in college football history to pair the #1 and #2 teams in the nation (the 1963 Rose Bowl being the first).

In 1965, the Arkansas Razorbacks took an undefeated record (10-0) into the Classic versus a 9-1 Nebraska Cornhuskers team. Although Alabama had been awarded the AP and UPI (Coaches) polls national titles before the bowl games (which was standard at that time), Arkansas still had a chance to claim a share of the national championship with a victory over Nebraska. After a hard-fought defensive battle, the Hogs prevailed 10-7. That victory, coupled with an Alabama loss in the Orange Bowl to Texas (a team Arkansas defeated in Austin, TX.), gave Arkansas the Grantland Rice Trophy awarded by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), signifying the Razorbacks were the true National Champions of the 1964 season.

The 1967 game was moved to Saturday, December 31, 1966, due to the Dallas Cowboys hosting the NFL Championship Game at the stadium on New Year's Day, a Sunday. (Note: The other major bowl games that year --- the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Orange Bowl - were played on Monday, January 2.)

In 1969, Texas was off and running with its new offensive formation, the Wishbone. After dismantling all opponents of the 1968 season, Texas won the SWC crown again and this time faced the Tennessee Volunteers, in what was a lopside win for Texas with almost 400 rushing yards. Texas won 36-13.

1970s

The 1970 game featured Notre Dame's return to bowl games after a 45-year self-imposed ban. When the Irish made that decision, 9-1 LSU was overlooked for the game, and the Tigers stayed home instead. The Irish, led by quarterback Joe Theismann, faced top-ranked and undefeated Texas. Notre Dame led 17-14 late in the fourth quarter, but the Longhorns scored a late touchdown to clinch a 21-17 victory and an undisputed national championship. The same two teams met the next year, but this time, the Irish ended the Longhorns' 30-game winning streak with a 24-11 victory, denying Texas the Associated Press national championship (the Longhorns had already clinched the regular season championship in the UPI poll, a pre-bowl poll until the 1974 season; Nebraska won the AP title). Texas and Notre Dame met again in the 1978 game, with the Longhorns again top-ranked, only to see the Irish and quarterback Joe Montana roll to a 38-10 victory. The Irish vaulted from fifth to first in the final polls with the victory.

The 1973 game featured Texas and Alabama once again playing in a bowl game. Alabama led 13-10 going into the 4th quarter when Texas quarterback, Alan Lowry, ran the bootleg to perfection and scrambled 32 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Again, Texas defeated Alabama and Bear Bryant, 17-13.

The 1976 Cotton Bowl showcased SWC co-Champ Arkansas against SEC stalwart Georgia. The Razorbacks had beaten #2 Texas A&M in a blowout to force a tie for the conference crown, and opened the door for Arkansas to stroll to Dallas on New Year's Day. After the Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-0 lead, the Hogs came roaring back, scoring 31 unanswered points, and defeating Georgia, 31-10. Arkansas finished the season 10-2.

The 1979 Cotton Bowl Classic, nicknamed the Chicken Soup Game, featured one of the most historic comebacks in bowl history. Notre Dame trailed Houston 34-12 midway through the fourth quarter. Thanks to a blocked punt and the brilliance of future NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, the Irish rallied to win 35-34, their second consecutive Cotton Bowl Classic victory.

1980s

The 1982 game between Texas and Alabama would be the final time that Bear Bryant would face the Longhorns. Having lost to Texas in all meetings prior, Alabama went into the fourth quarter ahead 10-0 and it would appear that the Bear would finally get a win over Texas while at Alabama. But the Longhorns scored their first points with a quarterback draw by Robert Brewer on a 3rd-and-long with 10:38 remaining.[7] On Texas' next possession, Terry Orr scored from eight yards out to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive to put the Longhorns up 14-10 with 2:05 remaining. Alabama's Joey Jones returned the ensuing kickoff to the Texas 38-yard line, and Tide quarterback Walter Lewis took over with 1:54 left. On the very next play, UT's William Graham picked off a Lewis pass at the one. The Longhorns took a safety to insure better field position and Texas once again stunned Alabama and the Bear with a 14-12 victory.[8]

The 1984 game featured #7 Georgia of the SEC against undefeated #2 Texas of the SWC. Texas led 9-3 with more than four minutes to play in a battle of field goals between Georgia's Kevin Butler and Texas' Jeff Ward. A Chip Andrews (Georgia) punt was muffed by Texas defensive back Craig Curry late in the fourth quarter, then Georgia quarterback John Lastinger ran 17 yards for a touchdown with 3:22 left to play to capture a 10-9 victory, costing the Longhorns a possible national title.

The 1989 game between UCLA and Arkansas was highly publicized in the Dallas area because Bruin quarterback Troy Aikman was expected to be the top pick in the 1989 NFL Draft; the first pick was held by the Dallas Cowboys. Much was made of Cowboys longtime head coach Tom Landry watching Aikman practice at Texas Stadium, UCLA's practice facility for game preparation. Landry never got to draft Aikman, because he was fired the next month, but his successor, Jimmy Johnson, did. UCLA and Aikman won, 17-3.

The Cotton Bowl Classic has seen its share of great quarterbacks. Sammy Baugh, Davey O'Brien, Babe Parilli, Bobby Layne, Norm Van Brocklin, Y.A. Tittle, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Ken Stabler, Joe Theismann, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Doug Flutie, Troy Aikman, and Eli Manning all have played in the game.

Three of the four Heisman Trophy winners from the 1984-87 seasons finished their college career in the Cotton Bowl Classic: Doug Flutie for Boston College in January 1985, Bo Jackson of Auburn in 1986, and Tim Brown of Notre Dame in 1988.

Brown and fellow Heisman winner Davey O'Brien, who played in the 1937 Cotton Bowl, both attended nearby Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas, Texas) in the Lakewood area. "Woodrow" became the first high school ever to produce two Heisman winners.

1990s

For 53 years, the champion of the now-defunct Southwest Conference (SWC) played as the home team in the Cotton Bowl Classic, a tie-in which continued through the 1994 season. Until the mid-1980s, the contest was universally considered as a major New Year's Day bowl. However, by the late 1980s the Cotton Bowl Classic's prestige had fallen, as many SWC teams served NCAA probations for rule violations, rendering them bowl-ineligible. Also, the conference's quality of play suffered a marked decline. The SWC champion lost the last seven times they hosted the event, and the last national champion to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic was Notre Dame in 1977. Finally, the Cotton Bowl Classic was played outdoors during cold weather on occasion (most notably the 1979 game).

Meanwhile, the Fiesta Bowl, unhindered by conference tie-ins and played in generally warm weather, propelled itself to major-bowl status by attracting national championship contenders, most notably with its January 1987 matchup between Penn State and Miami. In the minds of many fans, the Fiesta replaced the Cotton as a major bowl. Despite this, the Cotton Bowl Classic still retained enough prestige that it was included as one of the top bowls in the Bowl Coalition when it was formed in 1992. However, in 1995, the new Bowl Alliance (the predecessor of today's BCS) chose to include the Fiesta over the Cotton in its national championship game rotation, sealing the Cotton Bowl Classic's displacement from the four "major bowls."

In 1995, the SWC gave up control of the Cotton Bowl Classic as part of its planned dissolution after the season. The Big 12 Conference took over control, sending a team (usually the championship game loser or a division runner-up) as its representative. In 1996, the BYU Cougars became the first team from the WAC to play in the game, defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 19-15, winning an NCAA record 14th game, and finishing the season ranked fifth in the country with a 14-1 record.

In 1999, the Cotton Bowl arranged for a team from the Southeastern Conference to be the Big 12 opponent, and Southwestern Bell (now AT&T) began sponsoring the event. More often than not, the SEC representative came from the West Division. However, Tennessee appeared in 2001 and 2005, and Missouri appeared in 2014.

2000s

Through 2008, the Cotton Bowl Classic continued to be played on New Year's Day (except in 2004 and 2006, when January 1 fell on a Sunday; the game was moved to January 2 in those years), and was usually the second game of the day to kick off, generally following the Outback Bowl.

This decade was kicked off in grand fashion, as two former Southwest Conference rivals faced off in the 2000 Classic: Arkansas, now a member of the SEC (as of 1992), and Texas, now a member of the Big XII (as of 1996). After a lackluster first half ended with the game tied 3-3, the Razorbacks opened things up, led by Offensive MVP running back Cedric Cobbs. Arkansas beat their former hated rival, 27-6, holding the Longhorns to negative yards rushing.

The 2003 Cotton Bowl Classic saw a rematch between the Texas Longhorns and the LSU Tigers. LSU led at the half 17-7 however Roy Williams of Texas had a tremendous breakout in the second half to lead Texas to victory over the Tigers, 35-20. The 2004 Cotton Bowl Classic saw the return of the Mississippi Rebels, whose last appearance in the Cotton Bowl Classic was a 12-7 loss to Texas in 1962. The 2004 Cotton Bowl Classic would also be current New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning's last college football game. Manning led his team to beat Oklahoma State 31-28.

The 2007 Cotton Bowl Classic was between Auburn Tigers played the Nebraska Cornhuskers; Auburn won 17-14.

In the 2008 Cotton Bowl Classic, Missouri's running back Tony Temple broke the bowl game rushing record by gaining 281 yards on 24 carries. (The record was previously held by Rice's Dickey Maegle, who had rushed for 265 yards.) Missouri beat Arkansas 38-7.[9]

Panoramic view of the 2008 Cotton Bowl Classic between Missouri and Arkansas

In April 2008, Cotton Bowl Classic officials announced that in 2009 and 2010 the game would be moved from its traditional start time of 10 a.m. CST on January 1 to 1 p.m. CST on January 2.[10]

In the final Cotton Bowl Classic game to be held in the Cotton Bowl stadium, the 8-4, #20 Ole Miss Rebels defeated the 11-1, #7 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 47-34. Tech quarterback Graham Harrell broke the NCAA record in this game for most touchdown passes thrown by anyone in Cotton Bowl Classic history.[11]

2010s

In 2010, the Cotton Bowl Classic moved to the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, as part of a bid by bowl officials to make it part of the BCS in 2011. Although the Cotton Bowl had recently been remodeled, Dallas' cold January weather had been a longstanding concern, and was thought to have hampered any prospect of upgrading the game to the BCS. In contrast, the new stadium would offer top amenities and a retractable roof.[12] A new four-year agreement between the BCS and ESPN had forestalled any possibility of the Cotton Bowl Classic joining the BCS until 2015 at the earliest.[13] Later findings that the Fiesta Bowl reimbursed employees more than $46,000 for political contributions could have opened the door for the Cotton Bowl to replace the Fiesta in the BCS bowl rotation;[14] however, the Fiesta Bowl did not lose its BCS rotation.

In the 2010 Cotton Bowl Classic played between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Ole Miss Rebels at the new Cowboys Stadium, the Rebels shut down the high scoring Cowboys offense to win the 74th annual Cotton Bowl Classic 21-7.

In 2010, the Cotton Bowl celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a new logo dedicated to the year-long celebration. Texas A&M played Louisiana State University in the 2011 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic on January 7, 2011. LSU would beat Texas A&M 41 - 24. This was the first Cotton Bowl Classic to be played in prime time, as well as the latest calendar date for the game.[15]

In the 2012 Match-up, the Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 29-16. It was a BCS-worthy game, featuring two Top 10 teams. The game was highlighted by Razorback Joe Adams punt return of 51 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, to give Arkansas early command. It was the first punt returned for a touchdown in the Cotton Bowl Classic since former Razorback Lance Alworth did it in 1961. After the Hogs posted 19 unanswered points, Kansas State responded with 16 consecutive points of their own in the second and third quarters. But the Razorbacks pulled away late in the third quarter and early fourth quarter, led by quarterback Tyler Wilson, the game's offensive MVP. Arkansas improved to 11-2 for the 2011 season, and finished ranked #5, while K-State fell to 10-3.

In 2013, the #10 Texas A&M Aggies defeated the #12 Oklahoma Sooners 41–13 to win the Cotton Bowl Classic and to finish the season with an 11–2 record. Johnny Manziel rushed for 229 yards during the game, a Cotton Bowl record, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for two more. Though the halftime score was 14–13 Texas A&M, the Aggies went on to score 27 unanswered second half points to win the game.

The Cotton Bowl Classic returned to "major" bowl status in the 2014 season in conjunction with the first year of the new College Football Playoff. It will host a national semifinal once every three years (in the 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024 seasons), and in other years will host two at-large teams that did not get selected to the four-team playoff. As part of this move, television rights will switch to ESPN, which will also televise the other games in the playoff system. For 2014, the matchup is Big 12 co-champion Baylor vs. Big Ten runner-up Michigan State. Michigan State won in a fourth quarter comeback 42 to 41 in a classic thriller.

Broadcasting

The first televised edition of the Cotton Bowl Classic was in 1953 by NBC. NBC provided coverage of the game from 1952 to 1957. In 1958, CBS began a streak of broadcasts of the event through 1992. NBC televised the game from 1993 to 1995. The Cotton Bowl returned to CBS in 1996 and remained for three years. From 1999 to 2014, the Cotton Bowl Classic was televised by Fox. As part of the College Football Playoff rotation, ESPN took over rights to the game beginning in 2015.[16]

In 2013, Fox Deportes televised the game nationally for the first time in Spanish.[17] The game returned to Fox Deportes in 2014. In 2015, ESPN Deportes becomes the new Spanish-language television home of the game.

The game is also broadcast nationally on radio by ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio. ESPN Radio succeeded former longtime Cotton Bowl carrier Westwood One in 2013.[18] 2013 marks the first Spanish radio broadcast of the game.

Venues

Cotton Bowl

Main article: Cotton Bowl (stadium)

The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1930 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as the Fair Park Bowl, it is located in Fair Park, site of the State Fair of Texas. The Cotton Bowl Classic called its namesake home since the bowl's inception in 1937 until the 2010 game. The NFL's Dallas Cowboys called the Cotton Bowl home for 11 years, from the team's formation in 1960 until 1971, when the Cowboys moved to Texas Stadium. Although not the first established bowl game, the Cotton Bowl is a play on the phrase "cotton boll." Texas is the leading producer of cotton in the United States.

AT&T Stadium

Main article: AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium, formerly Cowboys Stadium, is a domed stadium with a retractable roof in Arlington, Texas. After failed negotiations to return the Cowboys to the Cotton Bowl, Jerry Jones along with the city of Arlington, Texas funded the stadium at a cost of $1.15 billion. It was completed on May 29, 2009 and seats 80,000, but is expandable to seat up to 100,000. AT&T Stadium is the largest domed stadium in the world.[19]

A highlight of AT&T Stadium is its center-hung high-definition television screen, the second largest in the world. The 160 by 72 feet (49 by 22 m), 11,520-square-foot (1,070 m2) scoreboard surpasses the 8,736 sq ft (812 m2) screen that opened in 2009 at the renovated Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.[20][21][22]

Game results

All rankings are taken from the AP Poll prior to the game being played.

Date played Winning team Losing team Notes
January 1, 1937 #16 TCU 16 #20 Marquette 6 notes
January 1, 1938 Rice 28 Colorado 14 notes
January 2, 1939 Saint Mary's (CA) 20 #11 Texas Tech 13 notes
January 1, 1940 Clemson 6 Boston College 3 notes
January 1, 1941 #6 Texas A&M 13 #12 Fordham 12 notes
January 1, 1942 #20 Alabama 29 #9 Texas A&M 21 notes
January 1, 1943 #11 Texas 14 Georgia Tech 7 notes
January 1, 1944 #14 Texas 7 Randolph Field 7 notes
January 1, 1945 Oklahoma A&M 34 TCU 0 notes
January 1, 1946 #10 Texas 40 Missouri 27 notes
January 1, 1947 #8 LSU 0 #16 Arkansas 0 notes
January 1, 1948 #10 SMU 13 #18 Penn State 13 notes
January 1, 1949 #10 SMU 21 #9 Oregon 13 notes
January 2, 1950 #5 Rice 27 #16 North Carolina 13 notes
January 1, 1951 #4 Tennessee 20 #3 Texas 14 notes
January 1, 1952 #15 Kentucky 20 #11 TCU 7 notes
January 1, 1953 #10 Texas 16 #8 Tennessee 0 notes
January 1, 1954 #6 Rice 28 #13 Alabama 6 notes
January 1, 1955 Georgia Tech 14 #10 Arkansas 6 notes
January 2, 1956 #10 Mississippi 14 #6 TCU 13 notes
January 1, 1957 #14 TCU 28 #8 Syracuse 27 notes
January 1, 1958 #5 Navy 20 #8 Rice 7 notes
January 1, 1959 #10 TCU 0 #6 Air Force 0 notes
January 1, 1960 #1 Syracuse 23 #4 Texas 14 notes
January 2, 1961 #10 Duke 7 #7 Arkansas 6 notes
January 1, 1962 #3 Texas 12 #5 Mississippi 7 notes
January 1, 1963 #7 LSU 13 #4 Texas 0 notes
January 1, 1964 #1 Texas 28 #2 Navy 6 notes
January 1, 1965 #2 Arkansas 10 #6 Nebraska 7 notes
January 1, 1966 LSU 14 #2 Arkansas 7 notes
December 31, 1966 #4 Georgia 24 #10 SMU 9 notes
January 1, 1968 Texas A&M 20 #8 Alabama 16 notes
January 1, 1969 #5 Texas 36 #8 Tennessee 13 notes
January 1, 1970 #1 Texas 21 #9 Notre Dame 17 notes
January 1, 1971 #6 Notre Dame 24 #1 Texas 11 notes
January 1, 1972 #10 Penn State 30 #12 Texas 6 notes
January 1, 1973 #7 Texas 17 #4 Alabama 13 notes
January 1, 1974 #12 Nebraska 19 #8 Texas 3 notes
January 1, 1975 #7 Penn State 41 #12 Baylor 20 notes
January 1, 1976 #18 Arkansas 31 #12 Georgia 10 notes
January 1, 1977 #6 Houston 30 #4 Maryland 21 notes
January 2, 1978 #5 Notre Dame 38 #1 Texas 10 notes
January 1, 1979 #10 Notre Dame 35 #9 Houston 34 notes
January 1, 1980 #8 Houston 17 #7 Nebraska 14 notes
January 1, 1981 #9 Alabama 30 #6 Baylor 2 notes
January 1, 1982 #6 Texas 14 #3 Alabama 12 notes
January 1, 1983 #4 SMU 7 #6 Pittsburgh 3 notes
January 2, 1984 #7 Georgia 10 #2 Texas 9 notes
January 1, 1985 #8 Boston College 45 Houston 28 notes
January 1, 1986 #11 Texas A&M 36 #16 Auburn 16 notes
January 1, 1987 #11 Ohio State 28 #8 Texas A&M 12 notes
January 1, 1988 #13 Texas A&M 35 #12 Notre Dame 10 notes
January 2, 1989 #9 UCLA 17 #8 Arkansas 3 notes
January 1, 1990 #8 Tennessee 31 #10 Arkansas 27 notes
January 1, 1991 #4 Miami 46 #3 Texas 3 notes
January 1, 1992 #5 Florida State 10 #9 Texas A&M 2 notes
January 1, 1993 #5 Notre Dame 28 #4 Texas A&M 3 notes
January 1, 1994 #4 Notre Dame 24 #7 Texas A&M 21 notes
January 2, 1995 #21 USC 55 Texas Tech 14 notes
January 1, 1996 #7 Colorado 38 #12 Oregon 6 notes
January 1, 1997 #5 BYU 19 #14 Kansas State 15 notes
January 1, 1998 #5 UCLA 29 #20 Texas A&M 23 notes
January 1, 1999 #20 Texas 38 #25 Mississippi State 11 notes
January 1, 2000 #24 Arkansas 27 #14 Texas 6 notes
January 1, 2001 #11 Kansas State 35 #21 Tennessee 21 notes
January 1, 2002 #10 Oklahoma 10 Arkansas 3 notes
January 1, 2003 #9 Texas 35 LSU 20 notes
January 2, 2004 #16 Mississippi 31 #21 Oklahoma State 28 notes
January 1, 2005 #15 Tennessee 38 #22 Texas A&M 7 notes
January 2, 2006 #8 Alabama 13 #20 Texas Tech 10 notes
January 1, 2007 #10 Auburn 17 #22 Nebraska 14 notes
January 1, 2008 #7 Missouri 38 #25 Arkansas 7 notes
January 2, 2009 #20 Mississippi 47 #8 Texas Tech 34 notes
January 2, 2010 Mississippi 21 #21 Oklahoma State 7 notes
January 7, 2011 #11 LSU 41 #18 Texas A&M 24 notes
January 6, 2012 #7 Arkansas 29 #11 Kansas State 16 notes
January 4, 2013 #9 Texas A&M 41 #11 Oklahoma 13 notes
January 3, 2014 #9 Missouri 41 #13 Oklahoma State 31 notes
January 1, 2015 #8 Michigan State 42 #5 Baylor 41 notes

Most Valuable Player Award

Date played MVP(s) Team Position
January 1, 1937 Ki Aldrich TCU C
Sammy Baugh TCU QB
L.D. "Dutch" Meyer TCU K
January 1, 1938 Ernie Lain Rice HB
Byron "Whizzer" White Colorado QB
January 1, 1939 Jerry Dowd St. Mary's C
Elmer Tarbox Texas Tech HB
January 1, 1940 Banks McFadden Clemson B
January 1, 1941 Charles Henke Texas A&M G
John Kimbrough Texas A&M FB
Chip Roult Texas A&M T
Lou DeFilippo Fordham C
Joe Ungerer Fordham T
January 1, 1942 Jimmy Nelson Alabama HB
Holt Rast Alabama E
Don Whitmire Alabama T
Martin Ruby Texas A&M T
January 1, 1943 Jack Freeman Texas G
Roy McKay Texas B
Stanley Mauldin Texas T
Harvey Hardy Georgia Tech G
Jack Marshall Georgia Tech E
January 1, 1944 Martin Ruby Randolph Field T
Glenn Dobbs Randolph Field QB
Joe Parker Texas E
January 1, 1945 Neill Armstrong Oklahoma A&M E
Bob Fenimore Oklahoma A&M RB
Ralph Foster Oklahoma A&M DT
January 1, 1946 Hub Bechtol Texas E
Bobby Layne Texas B
Jim Kekeris Missouri T
January 1, 1947 Alton Baldwin Arkansas E
Y.A. Tittle LSU QB
January 1, 1948 Steve Suhey Penn State G
Doak Walker SMU RB
January 1, 1949 Kyle Rote SMU RB
Doak Walker SMU RB
Brad Ecklund Oregon C
Norm Van Brocklin Oregon QB
January 2, 1950 Billy Burkhalter Rice HB
Joe Watson Rice C
James Williams Rice E
January 1, 1951 Andy Kozar Tennessee FB
Hank Lauricella Tennessee HB
Horace "Bud" Sherrod Tennessee DE
Bud McFadin Texas G
January 1, 1952 Emery Clark Kentucky HB
Ray Correll Kentucky G
Vito "Babe" Parilli Kentucky QB
Keith Flowers TCU FB
January 1, 1953 Richard Ochoa Texas FB
Harley Sewell Texas G
Bob Griesbach Tennessee LB
January 1, 1954 Richard Chapman Rice T
Dan Hart Rice E
Dickey Maegle Rice HB
January 1, 1955 George Humphreys Georgia Tech FB
Bud Brooks Arkansas G
January 2, 1956 Buddy Alliston Mississippi G
Eagle Day Mississippi QB
January 1, 1957 Norman Hamilton TCU T
Jim Brown Syracuse HB
January 1, 1958 Tom Forrestal Navy QB
Tony Stremic Navy G
January 1, 1959 Dave Phillips Air Force T
Jack Spikes TCU FB
January 1, 1960 Ernie Davis Syracuse HB
Maurice Doke Texas G
January 2, 1961 Dwight Bumgarner Duke T
Lance Alworth Arkansas HB
January 1, 1962 Mike Cotten Texas QB
Bob Moses Texas E
January 1, 1963 Lynn Amedee LSU QB
Johnny Treadwell Texas G
January 1, 1964 Scott Appleton Texas T
Duke Carlisle Texas QB
January 1, 1965 Ronnie Caveness Arkansas LB
Fred Marshall Arkansas QB
January 1, 1966 Joe Labruzzo LSU TB
David McCormick LSU T
December 31, 1966 Kent Lawrence Georgia TB
George Patton Georgia T
January 1, 1968 Grady Allen Texas A&M DE
Edd Hargett Texas A&M QB
Bill Hobbs Texas A&M LB
January 1, 1969 Tom Campbell Texas LB
Cotton Speyrer Texas WR
James Street Texas QB
January 1, 1970 Steve Worster Texas FB
Bob Olson Notre Dame LB
January 1, 1971 Clarence Ellis Notre Dame CB
Eddie Phillips Texas QB
January 1, 1972 Bruce Bannon Penn State DE
Lydell Mitchell Penn State RB
January 1, 1973 Randy Braband Texas LB
Alan Lowry Texas QB
January 1, 1974 Tony Davis Nebraska TB
Wade Johnson Texas LB
January 1, 1975 Tom Shuman Penn State QB
Ken Quesenberry Baylor S
January 1, 1976 Ike Forte Arkansas HB
Hal McAfee Arkansas LB
January 1, 1977 Alois Blackwell Houston RB
Mark Mohr Houston CB
January 1, 1978 Vagas Ferguson Notre Dame RB
Bob Golic Notre Dame LB
January 1, 1979 Joe Montana Notre Dame QB
David Hodge Houston LB
January 1, 1980 Terry Elston Houston QB
David Hodge Houston LB
January 1, 1981 Warren Lyles Alabama NG
Major Ogilvie Alabama RB
January 1, 1982 Robert Brewer Texas QB
Robbie Jones Alabama LB
January 1, 1983 Wes Hopkins SMU SS
Lance McIlhenny SMU QB
January 1, 1984 John Lastinger Georgia QB
Jeff Leiding Texas LB
January 1, 1985 Bill Romanowski Boston College LB
Steve Strachan Boston College FB
January 1, 1986 Domingo Bryant Texas A&M SS
Bo Jackson Auburn TB
January 1, 1987 Chris Spielman Ohio State LB
Roger Vick Texas A&M FB
January 1, 1988 Adam Bob Texas A&M LB
Bucky Richardson Texas A&M QB
January 2, 1989 Troy Aikman UCLA QB
LaSalle Harper Arkansas LB
January 1, 1990 Carl Pickens Tennessee FS
Chuck Webb Tennessee TB
January 1, 1991 Craig Erickson Miami (Fla.) QB
Russell Maryland Miami (Fla.) DL
January 1, 1992 Sean Jackson Florida State RB
Chris Crooms Texas A&M S
January 1, 1993 Rick Mirer Notre Dame QB
Devon McDonald Notre Dame DE
January 1, 1994 Lee Becton Notre Dame RB
Antonio Shorter Texas A&M L
January 2, 1995 Keyshawn Johnson USC WR
John Herpin USC CB
January 1, 1996 Herchell Troutman Colorado RB
Marcus Washington Colorado DB
January 1, 1997 Steve Sarkisian BYU QB
Shay Muirbrook BYU LB
Kevin Lockett Kansas State WR
January 1, 1998 Cade McNown UCLA QB
Dat Nguyen Texas A&M LB
January 1, 1999 Ricky Williams Texas RB
Aaron Babino Texas LB
January 1, 2000 Cedric Cobbs Arkansas RB
D. J. Cooper Arkansas LB
January 1, 2001 Jonathan Beasley Kansas State QB
Chris L. Johnson Kansas State DE
January 1, 2002 Quentin Griffin Oklahoma RB
Roy Williams Oklahoma S
January 1, 2003 Roy Williams Texas WR
Cory Redding Texas DE
January 2, 2004 Eli Manning Mississippi QB
Josh Cooper Mississippi DE
January 1, 2005 Rick Clausen Tennessee QB
Justin Harrell Tennessee DT
January 2, 2006 Brodie Croyle Alabama QB
DeMeco Ryans Alabama LB
January 1, 2007 Courtney Taylor Auburn WR
Will Herring Auburn LB
January 1, 2008 Tony Temple Missouri RB
William Moore Missouri SS
January 2, 2009 Dexter McCluster Mississippi WR
Marshay Green Mississippi CB
January 2, 2010 Dexter McCluster Mississippi WR
Andre Sexton Oklahoma State LB
January 7, 2011 Terrence Toliver LSU WR
Tyrann Mathieu LSU DB
January 6, 2012 Tyler Wilson Arkansas QB
Jake Bequette Arkansas DE
January 4, 2013 Johnny Manziel Texas A&M QB
Dustin Harris Texas A&M DB
January 3, 2014 Henry Josey Missouri RB
Andrew Wilson Missouri LB
January 1, 2015 Bryce Petty Baylor QB
Taylor Young Baylor LB

Most appearances

Rank Team Appearances Record
1 Texas 22 11-10-1
2 Texas A&M 13 5-8
3 Arkansas 12 4-7-1
T4 Notre Dame 7 5-2
T4 Alabama 7 3-4
T6 Tennessee 6 3-3
T6 TCU 6 2-3-1
T6 LSU 5 3-1-1
9 Mississippi 5 4-1
T10 Rice 4 3-1
T10 SMU 4 2-1-1
T10 Houston 4 2-2
T10 Nebraska 4 1-3
T10 Texas Tech 4 0-4
T10 Oklahoma State 4 1-3
T16 Penn State 3 2-0-1
T16 Georgia 3 2-1
T16 Kansas State 3 1-2
T16 Missouri 3 2-1
T16 Baylor 3 0-3

Game records

Team Performance vs. Opponent Year
Most Points Scored 55, USC vs. Texas Tech (55-14) 1995
Fewest Points Allowed 0, LSU vs. Texas (13-0; tied with 2 others) 1963
First Downs 32, Tennessee vs. Texas A&M 2005
Rushing Yards 408, Missouri vs. Texas 1946
Passing Yards 603, Baylor vs. Michigan State 2015
Total Yards 633, Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma (326 rush, 307 pass) 2013
Individual Performance, Team vs. Opponent Year
Total Offense 516, Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma (229 Rush, 287 Pass) 2013
Rushing Yards 281, Tony Temple, Missouri vs. Arkansas (24 att., 4 TD) 2008
Rushing TDs 4, Tony Temple, Missouri vs. Arkansas 2008
Passing Yards 550, Bryce Petty, Baylor vs. Michigan State (36-51-1, 3 TD) 2015
Passing TDs 4, Graham Harrell, Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss 2009
Receptions 11, Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss (223 yds, 1 TD) 2004
Receiving Yards 223, Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss (11 rec., 1 TD) 2004
Receiving TDs 3, Terrance Toliver, LSU vs. Texas A&M 2001
Field Goals 3, Zack Hocker, Arkansas vs. Kansas State (tied with 3 others) 2012
Tackles 23, Keith Flowers, TCU vs. Kentucky 1952
Sacks 6, Shay Muirbrook, BYU vs. Kansas State (32 yards) 1997
Interceptions 3, Jerry Cook, Texas vs. Ole Miss (16 yards) 1962
Long Plays Performance, Team vs. Opponent Year
Touchdown Run 95, Dicky Maegle, Rice vs. Alabama 1954
Touchdown Pass 87, Ger Schwedes to Ernie Davis, Syracuse vs. Texas 1960
Kickoff Return 98, Earl Allen, Houston vs. Boston College (TD) 1985
Punt Return 72, Jimmy Nelson, Alabama vs. Texas A&M (TD) 1942
Interception Return 95, Marcus Washington, Colorado vs. Oregon (TD) 1996
Fumble Return 65, Steve Manstedt, Nebraska vs. Texas 1974
Punt 84, Kyle Rote, SMU vs. Oregon 1949
Field Goal 50, Josh Jasper, LSU vs. Texas A&M (tied with 2 others) 2011

Note: Only the most recent year shown.

Sponsorship

From 1989 until 1995, the game was sponsored by Mobil Oil and known as the Mobil Cotton Bowl Classic. From 1996 to 2013, the game was sponsored by Southwestern Bell Corporation; however, it went through several name changes, first in 2000 when the firm adopted a standardized "SBC" branding reflecting its name it adopted in 1995, SBC Communications, and since 2006, after their acquisition of AT&T Corporation, and its subsequent name change to AT&T Inc., as the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.

On October 15th, 2014, ESPN.com reported that AT&T will no longer sponsor the Cotton Bowl since it already sponsors the stadium in which it is played in. [23][24] On November 7, 2014, it was announced that Goodyear would become the new sponsor of the game, now known for sponsorship reasons as the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.[25]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ↑ "Cotton Bowl moves; what about Texas-OU?". Austin American-Statesman. February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on March 7, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2007.
  2. ↑ Carlton, Chuck (May 29, 2007). "Cotton Bowl Classic on BCS quest". The Dallas Morning News (The Dallas Morning News). Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  3. ↑ Burch, Jimmy (April 26, 2013). "Changes imminent as Cotton Bowl prepares for playoff era". The Fort Worth Star Telegram (The Fort Worth Star Telegram). Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  4. ↑ http://blackhistory.psu.edu/timeline/first_interracial_football_game_is_played_at_the_cotton_bowl
  5. ↑ Orange Deplores Texas Conduct, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, January 2, 1960, pg 10
  6. ↑ Texas Demands NCAA Probe of 'Dirty Play', The Florence (Alabama) Times, January 12, 1960, pg 10
  7. ↑ Robert Brewer QB draw on YouTube
  8. ↑ "Great Games & Moments: 1980s", Mack Brown Texas Football
  9. ↑ 2009 AT&T COTTON BOWL CLASSIC
  10. ↑ AT&T Cotton Bowl plans to move to Jan. 2 in 2009
  11. ↑ "The Fabulous Forum". The Los Angeles Times. January 2, 2009.
  12. ↑ Cotton Bowl reportedly hoping to join BCS party in 2011
  13. ↑ Cotton Bowl puts its BCS hopes on hold for now
  14. ↑ BCS confident it could cut ties with Fiesta Bowl if deemed necessary
  15. ↑ http://www.attcottonbowl.com/news/news-releases/2010/12/lsu-accepts-invitation-to-play-texas-am-in-att-cotton-bowl-classic/
  16. ↑ "ESPN to televise college football playoff in 12-year deal". ESPN. April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  17. ↑ "COLLEGE FOOTBALL ON FOX DEPORTES MAKES U.S. LATINO MEDIA HISTORY". Fox Sports Media Group. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  18. ↑ "ESPN Audio to present multi-platform coverage of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic". Cotton Bowl Classic. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  19. ↑ http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/jerrydome_or_jerry_dome_dallas_cowboys_stadium_in_arlington/
  20. ↑ Murph, Darren (May 18, 2009). "Kansas City Royals to get 'world's largest' HD LED scoreboard". Engadgethd.com. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
  21. ↑ MJD (June 12, 2008). "Jerry Jones aims to make all Cowboys' fans blind by 2010". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
  22. ↑ "Cowboys reveal world’s largest HD LED screen to the public ", LEDs Magazine, August 23, 2009. Retrieved on August 23, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Sources: Cotton Bowl loses AT&T". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  24. ↑ "AT&T will no longer sponsor Cotton Bowl". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Goodyear Becomes Title Sponsor of Cotton Bowl Classic" (Press release). Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.

External links