The Cotton Bowl and the Heisman
When Derrick Henry and Alabama take on Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, it will continue a long association between the classic game and the Heisman Trophy.
Here’s a look back at Heisman winners and the Cotton Bowl:
Doak Walker, Jan. 1, 1949
Walker won his second-consecutive Cotton Bowl MVP by leading SMU to a 21-13 victory over Oregon. Walker showed his versatility by running for a touchdown and nailing a 79-yard punt.
Roger Staubach, Jan. 1, 1964
Navy’s second Heisman winner completed 21 of 31 passes for 228 yards, but that wasn’t enough as No. 1 Texas crushed the No. 2 Midshipmen, 28-6.
Earl Campbell, Jan. 1, 1978
The powerful back rushed for 116 yards but Notre Dame beat the undefeated Texas Longhorns, 38-10, to win the national championship.
Doug Flutie, Jan. 1, 1985
Shortly after becoming the first quarterback to win the Heisman since 1971, Flutie led BC to a 45-28 victory over Houston in the highest-scoring Cotton Bowl ever. Flutie was 13 of 37 for 180 yards and three touchdown passes (with two interceptions).
Bo Jackson, Jan. 1, 1986
Jackson rushed for 129 yards and caught a 73-yard touchdown pass to earn bowl MVP honors, but Auburn fell to Texas A&M, 36-16.
Tim Brown, Jan. 1, 1988
The Notre Dame receiver, a Dallas native, caught six passes for 105 yards as the Irish lost to Texas A&M, 35-10. It was the fifth-straight Cotton Bowl loss for a reigning Heisman winner.
Ricky Williams, Jan. 1, 1999
Williams rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries and also added five catches for 45 yards as Texas routed Mississippi State, 38-11.
Johnny Manziel, Jan. 4, 2013
Manziel had 516 yards of total offense — 287 passing and 229 rushing — and four total touchdowns as the Aggies romped over Oklahoma, 41-13.
