2014 Texas Bowl

The 2014 Texas Bowl was an American college football bowl game played on December 29, 2014 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. It was one of the 2014–15 bowl games that concludes the 2014 FBS football season. The ninth edition of the Texas Bowl, it featured the Arkansas Razorbacks of the Southeastern Conference against the Texas Longhorns of the Big 12 Conference.^[5] The game began at 8:00 p.m. CST and aired on ESPN. Sponsored by the AdvoCare nutrition and sports performance company, it was officially known as the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

The game was the 78th meeting of the Arkansas–Texas football rivalry, which has been played only occasionally since the Razorbacks left the Southwest Conference for the SEC in 1992. The Razorbacks won the game, with a final score of 31–7.

Teams

Arkansas Razorbacks

Texas Longhorns

Game summary

The 2014 Texas Bowl was dominated by Arkansas from beginning to end. The Razorbacks opened the scoring with an Adam McFain field goal in the first quarter, to give Arkansas a 3-0 lead. The second quarter proved to be very productive for the Razorback offense, as quarterback Brandon Allen threw touchdowns passes to Demetrius Wilson and Keon Hatcher. The Arkansas defense got in on the second quarter scoring as well, as defensive lineman Taiwan Johnson recovered a Longhorn fumble in the end zone for a Razorback touchdown. Texas put together their only scoring drive in the second period, when Longhorn quarterback Tyrone Swoopes scored on a nine yard run around the left end. The Hogs lead 24-7 at the half.

Scoring was limited in the second half, as neither team put up any points in the third quarter. Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams tacked on a fourth quarter rushing touchdown, pushing the Hogs lead to 31-7. Texas would attempt a late game comeback, but Arkansas cornerback Henre' Tolliver intercepted Swoopes' final pass attempt, ending all hope for the Longhorns. That allowed the Hogs to run out the game clock, and secure the 31-7 victory.

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen was named the Texas Bowl MVP, after passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, and guiding the Hog offense to 353 yards of total offense. The Razorback defense was over-powering all night against the Longhorn offense, holding Texas to only 2 yards rushing, 59 yards of total offense, forcing two turnovers, and sacking Swoopes three times. Arkansas improved to finish the season 7-6, while Texas fell to 6-7.

Scoring summary

Source:^[6]

Statistics

References