1974 Cotton Bowl Classic

The 1974 Cotton Bowl Classic matched the Texas Longhorns and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Background

The Cornhuskers finished 2nd in the Big 8 Conference in Tom Osborne's first year after being the offensive coordinator for the past four years. This was their first Cotton Bowl Classic trip since 1965. The Longhorns were Southwest Conference champions for the 6th straight year as such played in the Cotton Bowl Classic once again.

Game summary

Texas scored first on a Billy Schott field goal. With nine minutes later in the half came a hit that led to three points. Fullback Roosevelt Leaks was hit hard while Texas was driving at the 29, and the ball shot up into the air. Defensive end Steve Manstedt saw the ball pop into the air, and he grabbed the ball and returned it 65 yards, returning it to the Texas 6. Though they could not score a touchdown, they tied the game on a Rich Sanger field goal. The second half was dominated by the Huskers, who scored 16 points and allowed none. Ritch Bahe scored on a touchdown run late in the quarter to make it 10-3. With 1:23 left in the quarter, Tony Davis scored on a touchdown run to make it 16-3. Texas could not respond as they turned the ball over five times while being limited to less than 200 yards. Sanger added in a field goal in the fourth quarter midway through the quarter to make the final score 19-3. This was the Huskers' first Cotton Bowl Classic win.^[1]

Aftermath

This game would be the last trip for the Longhorns under Royal, before he retired in 1976, but his successor would lead them back in 1978. The Huskers would return to the Classic in 1980 and 2007, but lost both. They have not won a Cotton Bowl Classic since this game.

Statistics

References