Tennessee was up 38–0 before A&M scored late to make the final score 38–7 as A&M turned the ball over 5 times (4 on fumbles) and Rick Clausen went 18 of 27 for 222 yards. McNeal went 23 of 38 for 241 yards and set a new school single-season passing yards record, but only had one touchdown while throwing an interception.[2]
There was a Cotton Bowl Classic in January and December in 1966, 2015, 2017, 2023, 2025.
The 2015 (December), 2018, 2021, and 2025 (January) editions were College Football Playoff semifinals.