Shooting at the Cotton Bowl Corral
Today 10 – 11 – 2008 was more than just another day at the State Fair of Texas organized by the city of Dallas. It also marked the 103rd meeting between the legendary Oklahoma Sooners and the famous Texas Longhorns.
Billed as Red River Rivalry, before 2005 it was called Red River Shoot Out, and today it was just that, Red River Shoot Out bringing football fans the gun fight at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The undefeated #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners were led by gunslinging sophomore and Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Bradford.
Bradford Stats:
He has completed 106 passes of 146 attempts for 1,665 yards and a completion percentage of 72.6 with a YPA of 11.4, 18 TDs versus 3 interceptions and 3 sacks and a 204.97 rating.
The undefeated #5 Texas Longhorns were led by gunslinger Colt McCoy, a junior and Heisman Trophy candidate.
McCoy stats:
He has completed 103 passes of 130 attempts for 1,280 yards and a completion percentage of 79.2 with a YPA of 9.85, 16 TDs versus 3 interceptions, 5 sacks and a 197.94 ERA.
Even though Oklahoma entered the game favored, this was a game that should have been even, one that exceeded the pregame hype. Not only did they set a rivalry scoring record of 80 points, a combined passing attack that totaled 664 yards and 6 touchdowns. They had an explosive 96-yard kickoff return, two-point conversion, circus catches, one for a touchdown, a fake punt and, naturally, their fair share of controversial calls. A game that had something for everyone.
Emotions run high in arch-rivalry games and this shootout was no different, the two teams combining for 16 penalties and 128 yards.
Although this game was settled in the trenches, the running game offered 61 rushing attempts for a combined 209 yards and 3 touchdowns. While the Gunslingers filled the air with balls, throwing 86 passes, 56 completions and 2 interceptions.
Oklahoma drew first blood on Bradford’s 5-yard pass to Manuel Johnson off Jimmy Stevens’ kick. Texas responded nearly 6 minutes later with a 26-yard field goal by Hunter Lawrence, ending the first quarter with a score.
Oklahoma opened the second quarter with a lightning attack that took only 1 minute and 46 seconds, scoring on Sam Bradford’s 8-yard pass to Ryan Broyles off Jimmy Stevens’ kick.
First quarter score:
Oklahoma soon: 7
Texas Longhorns: 3
The Texas Longhorns responded in 12 seconds with Jordan Shipley electrifying the crowd, scoring on a 96-yard kickoff return. Hunter Lawrence kicks.
Two minutes and 37 seconds later, Oklahoma’s Bradford found Jermaine Gresham for a 52-yard touchdown kick off Jimmy Stevens.
Six minutes and 44 seconds later, Texas Longhorn Cody Johnson stormed into the end zone with a 1-yard run Hunter Lawrence kicked out.
As the quarter winds down, the Texas Longhorns end the first half on a 33-yard field goal by Hunter Lawrence.
Halftime Score:
Oklahoma Sooners: 21
Texas Longhorns: 20
The Oklahoma Sooners open the second half quickly, with just 3 minutes and 15 seconds left, Sam Bradford hooks Manuel Johnson for Johnson’s scoring catch on a 14-yard kick kick from Jimmy Stevens.
Colt McCoy and the Longhorns retaliate 6 minutes and 12 seconds later with Jason Shipley getting his second touchdown on McCoy’s 2-yard pass. Hunter Lawrence kicks.
Hunter Lawrence and the Texas Longhorns close out the third quarter scoring with 01:04 left in the quarter, Hunter puts up a 28-yarder through straight up rights,
3rd Quarter Scores:
Oklahoma Sooners: 28
Texas Longhorns: 30
Eleven minutes and forty-two seconds of the fourth quarter found the Oklahoma Sooners retaking the lead on Sam Bradford’s 14-yard pass to Manuel Johnson off Jimmy Stevens’ kick.
Even with a 30-35 lead, the Sooners’ position seemed tenuous. Earlier in the third quarter, Oklahoma balled third and around 9, leading 28 – 20 Stoops attempted the fake punt, falling one yard short of the first down. The momentum shifted toward Texas.
Texas hit a field goal that closed the field goal gap in that turn of events. The momentum seemed to stay with Texas.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Texas Longhorns answered the Sooners with one of their own. Set up from long pass Longhorn Cody Johnson dove into the end zone from the 1-yard line, making it 36-35 Texas. Colt McCoy followed with a 2-point conversion pass to Quan Cosby, making the Longhorns 38 – Sooners 35 score.
Four minutes and two seconds marked the end of the scoring with running back Cody Johnson bursting over the goal line on a 2-yard run, Hunter Lawrence’s kick being the last point scored.
fourth quarter:
Oklahoma soon: 35
Texas Longhorns: 45
This installment of Red River Rivalry lived up to its billing and more. Both teams combined for 80 points, the most ever scored at the annual Red River Shoot Out, providing football fans with The Gun Fight at The Cotton Bowl Corral
Thank you Longhorns and Sooners for a great game.