2002 Cotton Bowl Classic Explained

Year Game Played:2002
Title Sponsor:SBC
Game Name:Cotton Bowl Classic
Subheader:66th Cotton Bowl Classic
Caption:SBC Cotton Bowl Classic logo
Football Season:2001
Visitor Name Short:Oklahoma
Visitor Nickname:Sooners
Visitor School:University of Oklahoma
Home Name Short:Arkansas
Home Nickname:Razorbacks
Home School:University of Arkansas
Visitor Record:10–2
Visitor Conference:Big 12
Home Record:7–4
Home Conference:SEC
Visitor Coach:Bob Stoops
Home Coach:Houston Nutt
Visitor Rank Ap:10
Visitor Rank Coaches:10
Visitor Rank Bcs:11
Visitor 1Q:7
Visitor 2Q:0
Visitor 3Q:3
Visitor 4Q:0
Home 1Q:0
Home 2Q:0
Home 3Q:0
Home 4Q:3
Date Game Played:January 1
Stadium:Cotton Bowl
City:Dallas, Texas
Mvp:RB Quentin Griffin (Oklahoma)
S Roy Williams (Oklahoma)
Referee:Dennis Lipski (Big Ten)
Attendance:72,955
Us Network:Fox
Us Announcers Link:List of announcers of major college bowl games
Us Announcers:Thom Brennaman, Tim Green, Brian Baldinger and Dave Lapham

The 2002 Cotton Bowl Classic matched the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Oklahoma Sooners.

Background

This was the Sooners first Cotton Bowl Classic appearance ever. The Sooners finished 2nd in the Big 12 South after two crucial losses to Nebraska and Oklahoma State. This was the first appearance for the Razorbacks since 2000. Despite finishing 5th in the SEC West, they were invited to this game.

Game summary

Arkansas QBs were sacked nine times by Oklahoma, a school record and tying a Cotton Bowl Classic record. Arkansas could manage only 50 yards of total offense, and one Brennan O'Donohoe field goal late in the game. Oklahoma QB Nate Hybl ran in from one yard out for the only touchdown of the game. Sooner Rocky Calmus, the Butkus Award winner and Nagurski, Bednarik, and Lombardi finalist had nine tackles and a fumble recovery in the effort. Razorback coach Houston Nutt said, "[The Oklahoma defense is] the best I've seen in 15 years.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archived copy . 2014-12-29 . 2014-12-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141229024356/http://www.goodyearcottonbowl.com/_ufiles/programs/2002.pdf . dead .
  2. Web site: CNNSI.com - College Football - Sooner defense sytmies Arkansas - Wednesday January 02, 2002 01:25 PM . 2014-12-29 . 2012-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023104537/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/ST/2002/01/02/201UWIRE1-R/ . dead .