Oklahoma State’s History in the Texas Bowl, Bowling in Houston

For the second time in program history, the Cowboys are headed to the Texas Bowl. And for the second time in program history, the Cowboys are playing Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.

Oklahoma State will play the Aggies on Dec. 27 in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston. It’s a quick return to H Town after the Cowboys played the Cougars Nov. 18, a 43-30 win for the Pokes.

This marks the second time the Cowboys have played in the Texas Bowl, but it’s the fourth time OSU has bowled in Houston. Here is a look at the Cowboys history in Houston-based bowl games.

2019 Texas Bowl

Opponent: Texas A&M
Result: L, 24-21

This game started out as the Braydon Johnson game before the Aggies rallied back to beat the Pokes 24-21 in a meeting between former conference foes.

With Dru Brown filling in for an injured Spencer Sanders, the Cowboys raced out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead against the Aggies thanks to a 42-yard Johnson touchdown before Brown scrambled in from nine yards out for the Cowboys’ second score.

A&M then scored the next 24 points of the game before Johnson scored again with about a minute to go. A failed onside kick ended things.

Johnson finished with five catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Brown was sacked four times, but he still managed to throw for 184 yards and the two scores in his final college game. Chuba Hubbard capped off his 2,000-yard season with 158 yards against the Aggies.

2002 Houston Bowl

Opponent: Southern Miss
Result: W, 33-23

Fresh off a win against Oklahoma in the 2002 Bedlam game, the 7-5 Cowboys faced Southern Miss in the 2002 Houston Bowl, winning 33-23.

Rashaun Woods earned MVP honors, catching nine passes for 164 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown. Tatum Bell was also unstoppable that day, running for 160 yards and a touchdown on only 13 carries (that’s 12.3 yards per carry). Josh Fields was 21-for-40 for 310 yards and two touchdowns. His other TD pass was to Mike Denard.

Kevin Williams set up shop in the Southern Miss backfield that day, sacking Dustin Almond three times. Greg Richmond — now OSU’s defensive line coach — also recorded a sack that day. Darrent Williams had an interception and three pass breakups against Southern Miss.

1983 Bluebonnet Bowl

Opponent: Baylor
Result: W, 24-14

One of three neutral site meetings between OSU and Baylor, the Cowboys bested the Bears 24-14 in the 1983 Bluebonnet Bowl.

Earnest Anders ran for 143 yards and a touchdown, while Rusty Hilger completed 12 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cowboys started with a 21-0 lead, a run capped off by a 26-yard pass from Hilger to Jamie Harris. Harris had 69 receiving yards on the day.

Adam Hinds and James Spencer each picked off Baylor passes.