Cotton Bowl Player Profile, History & More

2007 AT&T Cotton Bowl Player Profile, History & More

 
Auburn (10-2) vs. Nebraska (9-4)

Jan. 1st, 11:30 a.m. ET, Fox

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Cotton Bowl History
2006	Alabama 13, Texas Tech 10
2005	Tennessee 38, Texas A&M 7
2004	Mississippi 31, Oklahoma St 28
2003	Texas 35, LSU 20
2002	Oklahoma 10, Arkansas 3
2001	Kansas State 35, Tennessee 21
2000	Arkansas 27, Texas 6
1999	Texas 38, Mississippi St. 11
1998	UCLA 29, Texas A&M 23
1997	BYU 19, Kansas St. 15
1996	Colorado 38, Oregon 6
1995	USC 55, Texas Tech 14
1994	Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 21
1993	Notre Dame 28, Texas A&M 3
1992	Florida St. 10, Texas A&M 2
1991	Miami, Fla 46, Texas 3
1990	Tennessee 31, Arkansas 27
1989	UCLA 17, Arkansas 3
1988	Texas A&M 35, Notre Dame 10
1987	Ohio St. 28, Texas A&M 12
1986	Texas A&M 36, Auburn 16
1985	Boston College 45, Houston 28
1984	Georgia 10, Texas 9
1983	SMU 7, Pittsburgh 3
1982	Texas 14, Alabama 12
1981	Alabama 30, Baylor 2
1980	Houston 17, Nebraska 14
1979	Notre Dame 35, Houston 34
1978	Notre Dame 38, Texas 10
1977	Houston 30, Maryland 21
1976	Arkansas 31, Georgia 10
1975	Penn St. 41, Baylor 20
1974	Nebraska 19, Texas 3
1973	Texas 17, Alabama 13
1972	Penn St. 30, Texas 6
1971	Notre Dame 24, Texas 11
1970	Texas 21, Notre Dame 17
1969	Texas 36, Tennessee 13
1968	Texas A&M 20, Alabama 16
1967	Georgia 24, SMU 9
1966	LSU 14, Arkansas 7
1965	Arkansas 10, Nebraska 7
1964	Texas 28, Navy 6
1963	LSU 13, Texas 0
1962	Texas 12, Mississippi 7
1961	Duke 7, Arkansas 6
1960	Syracuse 23, Texas 14
1959	Air Force 0, TCU 0
1958	Navy 20, Rice 7
1957	TCU 28, Syracuse 27
1956	Mississippi 14, TCU 13
1955	Georgia Tech 14, Arkansas 6
1954	Rice 28, Alabama 6
1953	Texas 16, Tennessee 0
1952	Kentucky 20, TCU 7
1951	Tennessee 20, Texas 14
1950	Rice 27, North Carolina 13
1949	SMU 21, Oregon 13
1948	Penn St. 13, SMU 13
1947	Arkansas 0, LSU 0
1946	Texas 40, Missouri 27
1945	Oklahoma St. 34, TCU 0
1944	Randolph Field 7, Texas 7
1943	Texas 14, Georgia Tech 7
1942	Alabama 29, Texas A&M 21
1941	Texas A&M 13, Fordham 12
1940	Clemson 6, Boston College 3
1939	St. Marys, Cal. 20, Texas Tech 13
1938	Rice 28, Colorado 14
1937	TCU 16, Marquette 6

By Richard Cirminiello

Cotton Bowl Player Profile
RB Brandon Jackson, Nebraska – The last time Nebraska ventured out to Mississippi for a recruit, it landed Correll Buckhalter, who played 46 games in Lincoln and has been cashing NFL paychecks for the past six years.  Jackson, one of this season’s biggest Husker surprises, appears to be headed down a similar career path.  Through 13 games, the junior has rushed for 951 yards and seven touchdowns, hardly jaw-dropping numbers until you consider how far he’s traveled to get to this point.  Back in the spring, when the question of Cory Ross’ successor arose, just about everyone’s name, but Jackson’s, was mentioned.  Cody Glenn would be the short-yardage specialist, former mega recruit Marlon Lucky would be the feature back and junior college transfer Kenny Wilson would be the wild card.  Jackson? He had just 18 carries in 2005 and missed spring practice following shoulder surgery, so little was expected from him, particularly with the depth at the position.  Despite only getting 27 carries through the first month of the season, here’s Jackson, atop the depth chart, leading the Huskers in rushing and landing on the All-Big 12 second team, a comeback that even has the coaching staff impressed.  Oh, he’s also caught 31 passes, which is good for third-best on the team.  All four backs saw significant action in 2006, but it was the longshot, Jackson, who separated himself from the pack in October by showing an ability to snap off the long run with his speed and pass block, an underrated skill in the West Coast offense.  Away from the stadium, the similarities to Buckhalter, who’s had off-field issues, stop.  Jackson has been an honor roll student and one of the 11 members of the 2006 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team, which honors football players who have committed themselves to volunteering in the community.  With the quarter of backs returning next year and heralded transfer Sam Keller taking over at quarterback, Jackson will be part of a committee again in 2007.  Considering where he was on the pecking order just six months ago, don’t expect him to whine if he’s forced to share the touches.  

Best Husker Bowl Moment – Nebraska’s 43-game bowl resume includes an unheard of 30 New Year’s Day appearances.  You can go in so many directions with this question—pasting No. 2 Alabama in the 1972 Orange Bowl, pounding Notre Dame 40-6 in the 1973 Orange Bowl in Bob Devaney’s final game, breaking a seven-game bowl slide and winning the national title with a win over Miami in the 1995 Orange Bowl.  However, no game stands out more than the 62-24 demolition of Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl.  In a match up of No. 1 v. No. 2, the Huskers rushed for a bowl-record 524 yards, putting forth one of the most dominant big game performances the sport has ever witnessed.

Best Tiger Bowl Moment – Over the years, the Tigers have given their fans plenty to cheer about in the postseason.  High on the list of shining moments is a pair of Sugar Bowl wins, two year’s over Virginia Tech to cap a perfect season and a 9-7 triumph over Michigan in 1984.  In a classic defensive struggle with the Wolverines, Auburn pulled out the game when Al Del Greco split the uprights with under a minute left.  The 11-1 Tigers finished No. 2 in the polls behind a Miami team that upset unbeaten Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.   

Nebraska's best win ... Nebraska 34 ... Missouri 20
Nebraska efficiently took control of the Big 12 North race getting up 17-0 on a trick play with Maurice Purify throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Nunn and catching a seven-yard pass. Missouri got on the board in the first half on two Jeff Wolfert field goals and got within 14 on a six-yard touchdown pass to Martin Rucker, but the Huskers put it out of reach with a 13-play, 85-yard drive finished off by a two-yard Brandon Jackson run. The Tigers managed one more score on a 19-yard Chase Coffman touchdown catch midway through the fourth.

Nebraska's worst performance ... Oklahoma State 41 ... Nebraska 29
Nebraska got up 23-13 on two Brandon Jackson touchdown runs and a 22-yard pass play from Zac Taylor to Maurice Purify, and then Oklahoma State kicked it in with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Adarius Bowman with :16 left in the first half as part of a 28-point run with Dantrell Savage scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game, Julius Crosslin pounding it in from one-yard out, and Nathan Peterson putting a cap on things with a 19-yard fumble recovery for a score. Nebraska managed a five-yard touchdown pass to Purify with five seconds to play, but it was way too late.

Auburn's best win ... Auburn 27 ... Florida 17
In a tale of two halves, Florida dominated in most of the first half scoring easily with a big Percy Harvin run leading to a 16-yard Tim Tebow scoring run and Dallas Baker making a brilliant 15-yard touchdown catch on the way to a 17-8 first half lead, and then Auburn turned up the defensive pressure. The Tiger pass rush couldn't be stopped in the second half with Gator QB Chris Leak rushing his throws and making mistakes, with the biggest a controversial slip on what was ruled a fumble, even though his arm appeared to be going forward, leading to a 34-yard John Vaughn field goal. Tre Smith turned a blocked punt into a touchdown and Patrick Lee returned a fumble 20 yards for a score with no time left on the clock.

Auburn's worst performance ... Georgia 37 ... Auburn 15
Georgia's defense stuffed Auburn's offense holding it to 171 yards and picking off Brandon Cox four times. Tra Battle came up with three interceptions taking one 30 yard for a touchdown, and Matthew Stafford had his best day as the starting quarterback with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Kregg Lumpkin and a nine-yard scoring run to put the game away. Lumpkin also ran for an eight-yard score and Brannan Southerland ran for a one-yard touchdown on the way to a 24-0 first half Bulldog lead. Auburn scored on a 21-yard Brad Lester run and a 34-yard touchdown pass to Rodgeriqus Smith, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the mistakes.

2006 Cotton Bowl
Alabama 13 ... Texas Tech 10
Alabama PK Jamie Christensen had missed two earlier field goals, but nailed an ugly, knuckleball of a 45-yard kick that barely snuck in the corner as time expired for the win. Texas Tech's offense, held in check all game long, finally got in the end zone with just under three minutes to play on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Hicks, but Bama responded with a ten-play drive starting on its own 14 for the winning field goal. The Tide started off the scoring with a 76-yard touchdown pass to Keith Brown, but wasn't able to get in the end zone the rest of the way. However, the defense did the job holding the Red Raider offense to 329 yards and only 226 passing yards.
Player of the game: Alabama WR Keith Brown caught five passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Alabama - Passing: Brodie Croyle, 19-31, 275 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Ken Darbu, 29-81. Receiving: Keith Brown, 5-141, 1 TD
Texas Tech - Passing: Cody Hodges, 15-32, 196 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Cody Hodges, 17-66. Receiving: Taurean Henderson, 5-46

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Auburn Bowl History (17-13-2)

2005	Capital One	Wisconsin 24, Auburn 10
2004	Sugar	Auburn 16, Virginia Tech 13
2003	Music City	Auburn 28, Wisconsin 14
2002	Capital One	Auburn 13, Penn State 9
2001	Peach	North Carolina 16, Auburn 10
2000	Citrus	Michigan 31, Auburn 28
1997	Peach	Auburn 21, Clemson 17
1996	Independence	Auburn 32, Army 29
1995	Outback	Penn State 42, Auburn 13
1990	Peach	Auburn 27, Indiana 23
1989	Hall of Fame	Auburn 31, Ohio State 14
1988	Sugar	Florida State 13, Auburn 7
1987	Sugar	Auburn 16, Syracuse 16
1986	Citrus	Auburn 16, Southern California 7
1985	Cotton	Texas A&M 36, Auburn 16
1984	Liberty	Auburn 21, Arkansas 15
1983	Sugar	Auburn 9, Michigan 7
1982	Tangerine	Auburn 33, Boston College 26
1974	Gator	Auburn 27, Texas 3
1973	Sun	Missouri 34, Auburn 17
1972	Gator	Auburn 24, Colorado 3
1971	Sugar	Oklahoma 40, Auburn 22
1970	Gator	Auburn 35, Ole Miss 28
1969	Astro-Bluebonnet	Houston 36, Auburn 7
1968	Sun	Auburn 34, Arizona 10
1965	Liberty	Ole Miss 13, Auburn 7
1963	Orange	Nebraska 13, Auburn 7
1955	Gator	Vanderbilt 25, Auburn 13
1954	Gator	Auburn 33, Baylor 13
1953	Gator	Texas Tech 35, Auburn 13
1937	Orange	Auburn 6, Michigan State 0
1936	Bacardi	Auburn 7, Villanova 7

 

Nebraska Bowl History (22-21)

2005	Alamo	Nebraska 32, Michigan 28
2003	Alamo	Nebraska 17, Michigan St 3
2002	Indep.	Mississippi 27, Nebraska 23
2001	Rose	Miami 37, Nebraska 14
2000	Alamo	Nebraska 62, Northwestern 17
1999	Fiesta	Nebraska 31, Tennessee 21
1998	Holiday	Arizona 23, Nebraska 20
1997	Orange	Nebraska 42, Tennessee 17
1996	Orange	Nebraska 41, Virginia Tech 21
1995	Fiesta	Nebraska 62, Florida 24
1994	Orange	Nebraska 24, Miami 17
1993	Orange	Florida State 18, Nebraska 16
1992	Orange	Florida State 27, Nebraska 14
1991	Orange	Miami 22, Nebraska 0
1990	Citrus	Georgia Tech 45, Nebraska 21
1989	Fiesta	Florida State 45, Nebraska 21
1988	Orange	Miami 23, Nebraska 3
1987	Fiesta	Florida State 31, Nebraska 28
1986	Sugar	Nebraska 30, LSU 15
1985	Fiesta	Michigan 27, Nebraska 23
1984	Sugar	Nebraska 28, Louisiana State 10
1983	Orange	Miami 31, Nebraska 30
1982	Orange	Nebraska 21, LSU 20
1981	Orange	Clemson 22, Nebraska 15
1980	Sun	Nebraska 31, Miss State 17
1979	Cotton	Houston 17, Nebraska 14
1978	Orange	Oklahoma 31, Nebraska 24
1977	Liberty	Nebraska 21, North Carolina 17
1976	Blue bonnet	Nebraska 27, Texas Tech 2
1975	Fiesta	Arizona St 17, Nebraska 14
1974	Sugar	Nebraska 13, Florida 10
1973	Cotton	Nebraska 19, Texas 3
1972	Orange	Nebraska 40, Notre Dame 6
1971	Orange	Nebraska 38, Alabama 6
1970	Orange	Nebraska 17, LSU 12
1969	Sun	Nebraska 45, Georgia 6
1966	Sugar	Alabama 34, Nebraska 7
1965	Orange	Alabama 39, Nebraska 28
1964	Cotton	Arkansas 10, Nebraska 7
1963	Orange	Nebraska 13, Auburn 7
1962	Gotham	Nebraska 36, Miami 34
1954	Orange	Duke 34, Nebraska 7
1940	Rose	Stanford 21, Nebraska 13