When announced that Texas (7-5) would meet Cal (7-5) in the 2011 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, Mack Brown and Longhorn fans could not have been more pleased. They should be. Tonight, December 28, Texas will play in its 4th Holiday Bowl – a venue that has provided many highlights and memories for the burnt orange faithful. Texas, losers of 3 of its last 4 games, will take on a Cal team that has won 3 of its last 4 games. Does Cal have the momentum heading into this one? We don’t think so. You have a problem with David Ash or Case McCoy? Better take a look at Cal quarterback Zach Maynard. Maynard threw for 2802 yards this season with 17 td’s and 11 int’s with a passer rating of 129.4. That’s not good. Sure, Texas has had its share of issues at quarterback but McCoy had a passer rating of 131.9 with 7 touchdowns and 4 picks – playing on a limited basis. Ash is another story…
With the bowl game approaching, we thought it would be neat to go back in time and relive the Longhorn Holiday Bowl History. Here we go…
2001 Culligan Holiday Bowl
Texas (10-2) vs. Washington (8-3)
Major Applewhite starts at quarterback for #9 ranked Texas and the Huskies strike first in the second quarter on a field goal by Washington kicker John Anderson. Washington adds a couple of field goals, an interception return for a touchdown and a Cody Pickett touchdown pass to cap the Huskies scoring in the first half. Texas scored two touchdowns on passes of 43 and 25 yards from Applewhite to B.J. Johnson and Roy Williams, respectively, to send Washington to the locker room with a 23-14 at the half.
It looked like Texas would be in for a long night when Washington scored two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter compared to Texas’ 2 field goals. Third quarter ends with a score of Washington 36, Texas 20.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Texas scores three consecutive touchdowns (and misses a two point conversion) to take a 40-36 lead halfway through the 4th quarter. Then with 1:49 remaining, Willie Hurst rumbles 34 yards for a Huskies score, making it 43-40 Washington.
In classic fashion, Texas drives down field and caps the drive off with an Ivan Williams 3 yard run to ensure a 47-43 Texas Longhorn victory over the Washington Huskies.
Final Score: Texas 47, Washington, 43
Notes: Major Applewhite, co-Offensive MVP, threw for 473 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Payout per Team: $ 2,044,988
2003 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Texas (10-2) vs. Washington St. (9-3)
Texas brought a top 5 ranked team to San Diego to take on 15th ranked Washington State. With no score in the first quarter, Texas struck first with a Cedric Benson touchdown run. WSU evened the score at 7-7 on a 12 yard touchdown reception from Matt Kegel to Sammy Moore. Longhorn kicker David Pino sent Texas into halftime with a 10-7 lead after nailing a 39 yard field goal.
In the third quarter the Huskies scored three consecutive touchdowns to take a 26-10 lead (touchdown pass again from Kegel to Moore, Jonathan Smith touchdown run & fumble return for a touchdown). Washington State missed two extra points. Texas would add another field goal to cut the lead to 26-13 but Washington State would be awarded a safety after a penalty in the end zone on Texas. Chance Mock (remember him?) would connect with Roy Williams on a 30 yard touchdown pass but time would run out on the Horns and the final score would end 28-20 with the Huskies winning the game.
Final Score: Washington State 28, Texas, 20
Notes: Texas fumbled three times in the second half
Payout per Team: $2,013,616
2007 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Texas (9-3) vs. Arizona St. (10-2)
This game will be remembered not for the play of the players but for the family members involved! Mack Brown’s stepson came on the field during a broken play and touched what was ruled as a live football. Texas received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty which proved not to matter much in the end. As far as the game went, the Texas offense hammered Dennis Erickson’s Sun Devils all night. ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter struggled most of the night and the Sun Devil rushing game managed only 22 rushing yards against a stout Texas defense. McCoy turned the ball over quite a bit but a rushing attack led by Jamaal Charles proved to be enough. Charles racked up 161 on the ground and 2 touchdowns.
Texas scored the first three touchdowns of the game and never looked back. McCoy threw for two touchdowns and provided more than enough offense to seal a Texas victory. Arizona State did not help themselves much, as they turned the ball over 5 times.
Final Score: Texas 52, Arizona State, 34
Notes: Colt McCoy was named Offensive MVP, Brian Orakpo was named Defensive MVP
Payout per Team: $2,250,000
Tonight’s Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl will provide tons of entertainment and fun for Texas and Cal fans alike. Let’s hope the Texas fans have better memories after this one is over.
2011 Payout per team: $2,075,000
