2001 OU Season

Sooners are Cotton Bound

December 10, 2001

by Staff Reporter

DALLAS, Dec. 9, 2001 – It will be “Boomer Sooner” versus “Pig Sooie” in Big D! On New Year’s Day, the crimson and cream of Oklahoma will clash with the cardinal and white of Arkansas in the 66th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic.

Fred McClure, Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, extended the invitation Sunday afternoon to Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles. OU is making its first ever trip to the SBC Cotton Bowl after accepting the Classic’s invitation on Dec. 3.

“The SBC Cotton Bowl is thrilled to bring two of the nation’s most prominent football programs to Dallas to play in one of the most storied bowls in America,” McClure said. “By bringing Oklahoma and Arkansas together, both with passionate fans, we expect this year’s game to be a Classic to remember.”

Arkansas, winner of its last six-of-seven games to close the regular season, comes to Dallas with a 7-4 overall record and a 4-4 conference mark. The Razorbacks are no strangers to the SBC Cotton Bowl, having last played in the Classic two years ago. Arkansas handed Texas a 27-6 setback to open the new Millennium. The Razorbacks have a 3-5-1 record at the Cotton Bowl.

This year’s Classic will mark the 15th meeting between Oklahoma and Arkansas. The series dates back all the way to 1899, but the Sooners and Razorbacks have not met since the 1987 Orange Bowl. Oklahoma’s Spencer Tillman rushed for two touchdowns and the Sooner offence amassed 366 rushing yards en route to a 42-8 victory.

Oklahoma, college football’s defending national champion, enters the game with a 10-2 record overall and a 6-2 mark in Big 12 play. The Sooners are ranked 10th in both the USA Today/ESPN Coaches and Associated Press polls.

The SBC Cotton Bowl ticket office, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, will accept orders by phone (888-792-2695) as long as tickets are available. Mastercard, Visa and Discover are accepted.

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