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2013 Cotton Bowl Classic

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MVPOffensive: Johnny Manziel (QB – Texas A&M)
Defensive: Dustin Harris (DB – Texas A&M)

The 2013 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic was a post-season American college football bowl game held on January 4, 2013 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas in the United States. The 77th edition of the Cotton Bowl Classic began at 7:00 p.m. CST and aired on Fox Sports. It featured the Texas A&M Aggies from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) against the Big 12 Conference co-champion Oklahoma Sooners and was the final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season for both teams. Both the Aggies and the Sooners accepted their invitations after finishing the regular season 10–2.[3]

The pre-game buildup was primarily focused on the two high-powered offenses, both of whom were led by strong passing attacks led by quarterbacks Johnny Manziel and Landry Jones respectively. Both teams also had several quality wide receivers, but both were average to below average defensively. Experts were split in their prognostications, but most predicted a high-scoring game.

Texas A&M defeated Oklahoma 41–13 to win the Cotton Bowl Classic and to finish the season with an 11–2 record. Manziel rushed for 229 yards during the game, a 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.

Teams

Oklahoma

See also: 2012 Oklahoma Sooners football team

With an 8–1 conference record, the Sooners once again won a share of the Big 12 Championship; however, their loss to the Kansas State Wildcats prevented them from reaching the 2013 Fiesta Bowl spot. In addition, the non-AQ Northern Illinois Huskies completed the qualifications to go to the 2013 Orange Bowl, leaving the Sooners out of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS).

This was the Sooners' second Cotton Bowl; they had won the 2002 game, defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks by a score of 10–3.[4] The Sooners were the first team since Florida in 1993 to play against the teams with the top 3 Heisman vote-getters for that season (having played against 3rd-place finisher Collin Klein from Kansas State, runner-up Manti Te'o from Notre Dame, and Heisman winner Manziel from Texas A&M); they lost to all three.[5]

Texas A&M

See also: 2012 Texas A&M Aggies football team

The Aggies' first season as members of the SEC was led by freshman quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Manziel, the Aggies posted a 6–2 conference record (10–2 overall), good for a second-place tie in the SEC West Division (tied with the LSU Tigers). In perhaps their biggest game of the season, the Aggies defeated defending national champions and 2013 BCS National Championship Game participants the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, 29–24.

This was the Aggies' thirteenth Cotton Bowl appearance; with the win they hold a 5–8 record in the game.[6] With the appearance the Aggies became the first program to participate in the Cotton Bowl as members of three different conferences with automatic Cotton Bowl tie-ins (the Southwest Conference, the Big 12, and the SEC).

Pre-game buildup

Coming into the game, much of the buildup surrounded the matchup of two top-flight quarterbacks,[7] senior Landry Jones for Oklahoma and Heisman Trophy winner freshman Johnny Manziel for Texas A&M, both of whom ranked in the top-15 nationally in passing yards.[8] In the all-time series between the two schools, Oklahoma had won 19 games to Texas A&M's 11.[9] This was the teams' first meeting since Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC.[9] Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin had been an assistant under Bob Stoops; coming into the game Stoops was 13–4 against his former assistants.[10]

Oklahoma

Oklahoma compiled a 10 win, 2 loss record during the regular season and was left out of the BCS for the second consecutive year.

Offense

Oklahoma's offense was led by their senior quarterback Jones who was primarily responsible for the Sooners' 224 passing first downs, which was best in the country, and their 52.2 third down conversion success rate, which was fourth-best in the country.[11] Jones, a senior who was ranked by ESPN as the number five quarterback prospect for the 2013 NFL Draft,[12] completed 66% of his 555 passes totaling 4267 yards, which was second-best in the country,[8] and 30 touchdowns.[13] Jones threw primarily to a trio of upperclassmen wide receivers each of whom ended the season with more than 800 receiving yards, junior Kenny Stills, junior Jalen Saunders, who transferred in the offseason from Fresno State,[14] and senior Justin Brown, who transferred to the Sooners in the offseason amid sanctions from the NCAA in wake of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.[14] Oklahoma's rushing attack, which was second-worst in the Big 12 in terms of total yards,[15] was led by juniors Damien Williams and Brennan Clay, who amassed 946 yards and 11 touchdowns and 555 yards and 6 touchdowns respectively.[16][17]

Defense

Oklahoma's defense improved after head coach Bob Stoops' brother, former Sooners co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Mike Stoops, returned to Oklahoma as the defensive coordinator after having served the previous seven and a half seasons as head coach of the Arizona Wildcats where he totaled 41 wins and 50 losses[18] and was fired mid way through the 2011 season.[19] Oklahoma's defense was led in tackles by safety Tony Jefferson, who recorded 113 becoming just the sixth Sooner defensive back ever to amass more than 100.[9] In addition to Jefferson, Oklahoma was represented by defensive back Aaron Colvin on the All-Big 12 first team and defensive lineman David King and defensive back Demontre Hurst on the second team.[20]

Texas A&M

It was announced on December 12, 2012 that Texas A&M's offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury had left the university for the head coaching position at his alma mater, Texas Tech.[21] Consequently, coach Kevin Sumlin announced that running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Clarence McKinney would call plays during the bowl.[22]

Offense

The Aggies' offense averaged 44.8 points per game, third in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).[10] A&M's offense was led in both passing and rushing by Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.[23] Manziel threw primarily to two receivers, fellow redshirt freshman Mike Evans, who totaled 82 receptions for 1105 yards and 5 touchdowns,[23] and senior Ryan Swope, who totaled 72 receptions for 913 yards and 8 touchdowns.[23] Together, the duo combined for 45 percent of the Aggies' targets, catching 139 of 199 passes for 1,845 yards and 12 touchdowns.[24] Aside from Manziel, junior Ben Malena amassed 808 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns,[25] while senior Christine Michael scored 8 rushing touchdowns to go along with 417 rushing yards.[26] The Aggies also had two projected first-round draft picks on their offensive line, junior tackles Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews.[10][27][28]

Defense

The Aggies' defense was led by first-year defensive coordinator Mark Snyder, who had been a head coach at Marshall and defensive coordinator for Ohio State.[29] Their leading tackler was junior defensive lineman Damontre Moore,[30] who achieved first-team All-SEC accolades during the regular season[31] and declared early to enter the 2013 NFL Draft, where he is considered one of the top prospects, and was the second overall pick in Todd McShay's initial mock draft.[32][33]

Game summary

First quarter

Texas A&M got the ball to start the game and marched down the field on an 8-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in the first of Manziel's two rushing touchdowns, the first of which went for 23 yards. Oklahoma took over at their own 25 yard line after a touchback on the kickoff. Jones was 6/8 for 43 yards passing on the drive. The Sooners got as far as second and goal at the one yard line prior to two failed plays and a false start penalty that set up a 23-yard field goal to make the score 7–3 Texas A&M. The drive totaled 16 plays and 69 yards in 5:43. On the ensuing drive, Texas A&M was forced to punt after achieving only one first down.[34]

Second quarter

Oklahoma's next drive ran 18 plays and 87 yards taking up 7:26. Once again, the Sooners stalled in the red zone and were again forced to settle for a field goal, this time a 24-yarder by Michael Hunnicutt. The next two drives by Texas A&M and Oklahoma both ended in interceptions thrown by Manziel and Jones respectively. Texas A&M took over at the Oklahoma 48 yard line following Jones' interception. A trick play to start the drive resulted in senior wide receiver Kenric McNeal throwing a 20-yard pass to Mike Evans. On the next play, running back Ben Malena running the ball 23 yards to the five yard line. Manziel ran for a 5-yard touchdown on the next play to make the score 14–6. Oklahoma's next drive lasted 13 plays and 83 yards that culminated in a 6-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Justin Brown.[34]

Third quarter

Oklahoma's first second-half drive resulted in a quick three-and-out. After a 58-yard punt by Tress Way which was downed at the Texas A&M 9-yard line. Despite the poor field position, the Aggies put together a 7-play, 91-yard drive highlighted by a 35-yard pass from Manziel to Uzoma Nwachukwu and finished with a 7-yard touchdown run by Malena. Oklahoma had another three-and-out on their next drive. Texas A&M subsequently established a 7-play, 89-yard drive that featured three consecutive completed passes from Manziel to Malcome Kennedy and concluded with a 30-yard rushing touchdown by Trey Williams. Oklahoma's next drive was their third consecutive three-and-out. Texas A&M then scored their third consecutive touchdown, this time on a 33-yard pass from Manziel to Ryan Swope making the score 34–13. Oklahoma then ran a 7-play, 31-yard drive before punting to end the quarter.[34]

Fourth quarter

Texas A&M had their first three-and-out of the game to begin the fourth quarter. Oklahoma achieved one first down on their subsequent drive before turning the ball over on downs. Texas A&M scored for the final time of the game on their ensuing drive via a 34-yard touchdown pass from Manziel to Nwachukwu to make the score 41–13. Oklahoma and Texas A&M then exchanged punts before the final drive of the game by Oklahoma which lasted four plays prior to time running out.[34]

Scoring summary

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP Texas A&M Oklahoma
1 12:21 8 75 2:39 A&M Johnny Manziel 23-yard touchdown run, Taylor Bertolet kick good 7 0
1 6:38 16 69 5:43 OKLA 23-yard field goal by Michael Hunnicutt 7 3
2 11:41 18 87 7:26 OKLA 24-yard field goal by Michael Hunnicutt 7 6
2 6:14 3 48 0:43 A&M Manziel 5-yard touchdown run, Bertolet kick good 14 6
2 1:16 13 83 4:58 OKLA Justin Brown 6-yard touchdown reception from Landry Jones, Hunnicutt kick good 14 13
3 10:26 7 91 2:51 A&M Ben Malena 7-yard touchdown run, Bertolet kick good 21 13
3 6:30 7 89 2:27 A&M Trey Williams 30-yard touchdown run, Bertolet kick no good 27 13
3 3:55 6 71 1:16 A&M Ryan Swope 33-yard touchdown reception from Manziel, Bertolet kick good 34 13
4 9:03 7 73 3:00 A&M Uzoma Nwachukwu 34-yard touchdown reception from Manziel, Bertolet kick good 41 13
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 41 13

[35][36]

Statistics

Team statistics

Statistics TA&M OKLA
First Downs 28 27
Total offense, plays – yards 66–633 83–401
Rushes-yards (net) 31–326 34–123
Passing yards (net) 307 278
Passes, Comp-Att-Int 23–35–1 35–49–1
Time of Possession 23:11 36:49

Individual statistics

Passing
Team Name Comp./Att. Yards Touchdowns Interceptions
A&M Johnny Manziel 22/34 287 2 1
OKLA Landry Jones 35/48 278 1 1
Rushing
Team Name Rushes Yards Touchdowns
A&M Johnny Manziel 17 229 2
A&M Ben Malena 8 56 1
A&M Trey Williams 6 41 1
OKLA Brennan Clay 10 44 0
OKLA Damien Williams 16 41 0
OKLA Trey Millard 4 28 0

Manziel's 229-yard performance set an FBS record for most rushing yards in a bowl game.[37]

Receiving
Team Name Receptions Yards Touchdowns
A&M Ryan Swope 8 104 1
A&M Mike Evans 7 83 0
A&M Uzoma Nwachukwu 3 81 1
A&M Malcome Kennedy 3 28 0
A&M Ben Malena 2 11 0
OKLA Kenny Stills 7 67 0
OKLA Jalen Saunders 9 63 0
OKLA Justin Brown 7 57 1
OKLA Sterling Shepard 4 43 0
OKLA Damien Williams 5 19 0

References

  1. ^ Bowl Schedule, Los Angeles Times, January 4, 2013
  2. ^ Burch, Jimmy (5 January 2013). "Cotton Bowl beat Orange, Sugar in TV ratings". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  3. ^ "It's Official: No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Oklahoma in 77th AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic". Cotton Bowl Classic. December 2, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2012. From 1996 until 2011, the Aggies and Sooners played together in the Big 12 Conference before the Aggies left for the SEC.
  4. ^ Burch, Jimmy (1 January 2002). "Sooners' defense is the story in Cotton Bowl". Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. via HighBeam Research (subscription required). Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Oklahoma completes Heisman trifecta in Cotton Bowl". USA TODAY. Norman, Oklahoma. Associated Press. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  6. ^ Hairopoulos, Kate (3 January 2013). "Four storylines heading into Friday's Cotton Bowl". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on 2013-01-11. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  7. ^ Miller, Dave. "Cotton Bowl preview: Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma". National Football Post. Reign Net Media. Archived from the original on 2013-01-06. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b "2012 NCAA Division I-A College Football Individual Statistics Leaders for Passing". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Associated Press. "Cotton Bowl Preview Capsule". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo!. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  10. ^ a b c Evans, Thayer. "Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma Cotton Bowl preview". College Football - Thayer Evans - SI.com. Time. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  11. ^ "2012 NCAA Division I-A College Football Team Statistics Leaders for Downs". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Landry Jones 2013 NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Landry Jones Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio". Oklahoma Sooners – ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  14. ^ a b Kersey, Jason (31 December 2012). "Justin Brown's transfer from Penn State worked out well for him and the Sooners". The Oklahoman.
  15. ^ "2012 NCAA Division I-A College Football Team Statistics Leaders for Rushign". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Damien Williams Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio". Oklahoma Sooners – ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Brennan Clay Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio". Oklahoma Sooners – ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  18. ^ "All-Time Coaching Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Arizona Wildcats fire Mike Stoops as coach after 1–5 start". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  20. ^ "2012 Football All-Big 12 Awards Announcement". Big 12 Conference – Official Athletic Site. Big 12 Conference. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  21. ^ Hairopolous, Kate (27 December 2012). "Kliff Kingsbury anxious to take over rains at Texas Tech". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  22. ^ Khan Jr., Sam. "Sumlin: No hurry on offensive coordinator". Texas A&M Aggies Blog – ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  23. ^ a b c "Texas A&M Aggies 2012 Statistics". Team and Player Stats – College Football – ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  24. ^ Connelly, Bill. "Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma, 2013 Cotton Bowl preview: The fifth BCS bowl". SBNation.com. Vox Media. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  25. ^ "Ben Malena Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio". Texas A&M – ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  26. ^ "Christine Michael Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio". Texas A&M Aggies – ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  27. ^ "Jake Matthews 2013 NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  28. ^ "Luke Joeckel 2013 NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  29. ^ "Mark Snyder Biography". Texas A&M Official Athletic Site - AggieAthletics.com. Texas A&M University. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  30. ^ "Damontre Moore 2013 NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  31. ^ "2012 All-SEC football team announced". SEC > NEWS. SEC. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  32. ^ Khan Jr., Sam (30 December 2012). "Texas A&M Aggies' Damontre Moore will declare early for draft". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  33. ^ McShay, Todd (12 December 2012). "2013 NFL mock draft – Where will the top QB land?". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  34. ^ a b c d "Texas A&M Aggies vs. Oklahoma Sooners – Play By Play – January 04, 2013 – ESPN". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  35. ^ "Texas A&M Aggies vs. Oklahoma Sooners – Box Score – January 04, 2013 – ESPN". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  36. ^ "Texas A&M Aggies vs. Oklahoma Sooners – Drivechart – January 04, 2013 – ESPN". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  37. ^ Associated Press (4 January 2013). "Texas A&M beats Oklahoma 41–13 in Cotton Bowl". KBTX.com. Arlington, Texas: Gray Television, Inc. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
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