Texas A&M has had its ups and downs in bowl games, 17-20 all-time. They will add to that record when they take on Kansas State, Dec. 28, at the Texas Bowl in Houston.
Here are 10 interesting tidbits about Texas A&M and its history of bowl games.
1. What was Texas A&M’s first bowl game and what was its significance?
Answer: Following the 1921 season, Texas A&M (known then as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas) was invited to the Dixie Classic to take on Centre College. The Dixie Classic was played at Fair Park Stadium in Dallas. This was the inaugural Classic, which was played three times as a precursor to the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Texas A&M won 22-14, but its greatest significance was the start of the “12th Man” tradition. The Aggies suffered some injuries and their bench was depleted. Head coach Dana Bible sent for E. King Gill, who was in the stands and had earlier tried out for the team but did not make it. Gill stood at the ready on the sidelines and though he did not enter the game, is credited with beginning a revered tradition.
2. What is the Aggies’ longest bowl win streak?
Answer: The Aggies won the first three bowl games they appeared in, and added another three-game win streak to their credit, but the longest win streak is four — and was just snapped last year with a loss to Louisville at the Music City Bowl. Prior to that, the Aggies reeled off consecutive bowl victories from the 2011-14 seasons.
3. What is their longest bowl steak?
Answer: When Texas A&M meets Kansas State on Dec. 28, it will mark the eighth consecutive season in which the Aggies have earned a bowl berth. That’s the record. Twice before they were able to string together five consecutive: 1989-93 and 1997-2001.
4. What is their largest margin of victory?
Answer: At the 1990 Holiday Bowl, Texas A&M demolished BYU and Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer 65-14. Aggies QB Bucky Richardson was named the game’s Offensive MVP while teammate LB William Thomas earned the Defensive MVP Award.
5. What is their best win percentage as conference member?
Answer: The Aggies piled up 12 bowl victories (12-10) as a member of the old Southwest Conference, but they’re 3-1 (.750) in bowls as an SEC team.
6. Which Aggies coach has the most bowl wins?
Answer: Kevin Sumlin is tied with R.C. Slocum for most bowl victories (3). Sumlin can move into first with a bowl win next week.
7. Which coach has the most bowl losses?
Answer: Not surprisingly, it’s Slocum with eight. That’s because far and away his 11 bowl appearances are a school record. Sumlin is second on the all-time list and will be entering his sixth bowl game as the Aggies’ head coach.
8. What’s the Aggies’ record for most points in a bowl game?
Answer: As previously noted, the Aggies rolled up 65 points on BYU in the 1990 Holiday Bowl. That’s the record. However, the Aggies have scored 40 or more points in six bowl games, including three of their past four.
9. Has A&M ever allowed 50 points in a bowl game?
Answer: No. The 48 points that Duke scored in its 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to the Aggies (52-48) are the most A&M allowed. USC is next in line with a 47-28 victory over the Aggies in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl.
10. Which team has A&M faced most often in a bowl?
Answer: Texas A&M has faced Notre Dame three times in bowl games. The Aggies took the first meeting, a 35-10 triumph at the 1987 Cotton Bowl Classic. But they lost back-to-back Cotton Bowl matchups with the Fighting Irish, dropping a 28-3 decision following the 1992 season before bowing 24-21 the following season.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
