January 2009 News Releases

Ole Miss and Texas Tech ensured the 73rd and final AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic played Friday afternoon in perfect weather at historic Fair Park near downtown Dallas would be one for the record books.

Ole Miss prevailed, 47-34, to win its sixth-straight game and finish 9-4.

As the Ole Miss players addressed the red-and-blue sea of jubilant fans who had cheered them on to a thrilling 47-34 victory over Texas Tech in the 73rd annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, Rebel wide receiver Dexter McCluster was hoisted to the shoulders of two of elated teammates as they faced the crowd still roaring its collective approval in the stadium’s north end zone. It seemed to be an effortless task, thanks, in part, to McCluster’s 5-foot-8, 165-pound frame.

At 5-9 and 170 pounds, Marshay Green is, well, small in football terms. That didn’t stop him from playing big and earning the McKnight Trophy as the game’s Most Outstanding Player on Defense at the 73rd AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.

Most Points: (Composite Team Records)
81, Ole Miss (47) vs. Texas Tech (34), 2009
73, Boston College (45) vs. Houston (28), 1985
69, USC (55) vs. Texas Tech (14), 1995
69, Notre Dame (35) vs. Houston (34), 1979
67, Texas (40) vs. Missouri (27), 1946

Ole Miss made its first postseason trip to Dallas since 2004 and second since 1962. The Rebel offense scored its most points ever in a bowl and tied for most touchdowns ... Ole Miss also posted its second-most total yards in a bowl game with 515.

Ole Miss won the opening coin toss and elected to receive.  Tech finished the season with a 6-7 record on the opening coin toss. Today’s game against Ole Miss marked the final Cotton Bowl Classic played in Cotton Bowl Stadium. The game will move to the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington next season. Serving as captains for the final time were Graham Harrell, Louis Vasquez, Darcel McBath and Jake Ratliff. Today’s game was televised nationally by FOX and marked Tech’s 10th televised game of the season and the first on the FOX network this year. Tech’s last appearance on FOX was here in Dallas at the 2006 AT&T Cotton Bowl.  Texas Tech made its 32nd bowl appearance and its fourth in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. The Red Raiders have been bowl eligible for 15 straight seasons which is a Big 12 Conference record. Today’s game marked the second consecutive New Year’s appearance for the Red Raiders as Tech took home a Gator Bowl Championship last January.