1981 Independence Bowl

August 2023 March 2026 Independence Bowl December 12 1981 1981 Oklahoma State Cowboys 7–4 Big Eight Jimmy Johnson 10 0 0 6 QB Gary Kubiak, Texas A&MLB Mike Green, Oklahoma State Texas A&M Aggies 6–5 SWC Tom Wilson 3 17 3 10 Mizlou Howard DavidDanny AbramowiczSteve Grad bg Independence Stadium Shreveport, Louisiana Robert Aillet (SEC) 48,600 The 1981 Independence Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas A&M Aggies. Background The Cowboys finished tied for 3rd in the Big Eight Conference in their first bowl game since 1976. Meanwhile, the Aggies finished 5th in the Southwest Conference, in their first bowl game since 1978. Game summary In the first quarter, the Cowboys took a 10–0 lead on an Ernest Anderson touchdown run and a field goal. But the Aggies closed the quarter out with a field goal of their own to make it 10–3. As it turned out, the Cowboys were held to zero points for the next two quarters. The Aggies scored on another field goal to make it 10–6. Jimmie Williams and Gary Kubiak connected for two touchdown catches of 50 and 38 yards to give the Aggies a 20–10 halftime lead. Another field goal (this from 50 yards) by the Aggies made it 23–10 after three quarters. After an 18 yarder to make it 26–10, the Aggies scored one last time, as Johnny Hector scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to make it 33–10. Vince Orange ran for a 5-yard score to make the final score 33–16. Kubiak went 15-of-20 for 225 yards while Williams caught 5 passes for 118 yards.http://independencebowl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014-IBowl-Media-Guide.pdf Archived copy 2015-08-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20150719000404/http://independencebowl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014-IBowl-Media-Guide.pdf 2015-07-19 dead Aftermath Wilson was fired after the season by the Aggies due to the administration not being pleased with his 21-19 record in four years. They hired Jackie Sherrill, who reached three consecutive Cotton Bowl Classics in his seven-year tenure. The Cowboys reached one more bowl game under Johnson, and four more before the end of the decade. A&M returned to the Independence Bowl in 2000, and the Cowboys returned in 2006. Statistics Statistics Oklahoma State Texas A&MFirst downs 16 23Rushing yards 70 223Passing yards187 225Interceptions 1 0Total yards 257 432Fumbles–lost 3–1 4–1Penalties–yards 3–34 6–60Punts–average 6–40.3 3–40.0 References Independence Bowl Category:Independence Bowl Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys football bowl games Category:Texas A&M Aggies football bowl games Category:December 1981 sports events in the United States Independence Bowl