WATCH JOHNNY MANZIEL HIGHLIGHT REEL
By Scott Crumbly
Twitter: @ScottCrumbly
SEC Digital Network
DALLAS, Texas – No. 9 Texas A&M was back in action on Friday night in the AT&T Cotton Bowl, where the Aggies used another astounding all-around performance from Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel to down No. 11 Oklahoma by a final score of 41-13.
Manziel picked up right where he left off during the regular season by posting 516 total yards, 287 of which came through the air with the other 229 coming on the ground. Manziel also threw two touchdowns – one to Ryan Swope and the other to Uzoma Nwachukwu – and used his legs to record two more on the ground. With the performance, Johnny Football became just the fourth NCAA quarterback in history to record over 20 rushing touchdowns and 20 passing touchdowns, joining Cam Newton, Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick in that rarified air.
The first half was closely contested, and the Aggies (11-2) only held a one-point advantage heading into the locker room. The third quarter proved to be decisive, however, as TAMU outscored the Sooners 27-0 in the period to seize control of the game for good.
Ryan Swope had a big game for the Aggies in his final collegiate outing, snagging eight receptions for 104 yards in a score in the winning effort. Mike Evans also hauled in seven balls for 81 yards, while Nwachukwu caught three for 81 and a score. As a team, Texas A&M out-gained Oklahoma (10-3) by a final tally of 633 yards to 401 while running for an incredible 326 yards on the game.
The big victory in Dallas puts the icing on the cake for the Aggies, who racked up 11 wins in year one of the Kevin Sumlin era.
Statistical Leaders
Texas A&M
Passing: Johnny Manziel, 22-for-34, 287 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing: Johnny Manziel, 17 car, 229 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Ryan Swope, 8 rec, 104 yards, TD
Oklahoma
Passing: Landry Jones, 35-for-48, 278 yards, TD, INT
Rushing: Brennan Clay, 10 car, 44 yards
Receiving: Kenny Stills, 7 rec, 67 yards
Game Notes
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Texas A&M has faced Oklahoma every season since the formation of the Big 12 Conference in 1996. Oklahoma has won 11 of 17 meeting since then.
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Friday night marked the first time that Texas A&M and Oklahoma faced off in a bowl game.
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Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin served on Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma coaching staff from 2003-07. He was the special teams coordinator/tight ends coach from 2003-05, and the co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach from 2006-07.