Ohio State’s — and Big Ten’s — first trip to Cotton Bowl in 1987 was memorable

Ohio State’s Dec. 29 bowl matchup against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl might not charge up Buckeye Nation as an appetizer to New Year’s Day, but there was a time when OSU playing in the Cotton was a big opportunity at bragging rights in a brand-new territory.

Prior to the mid-1980s, a Big Ten football program never played in the Cotton Bowl, which back then was regarded as a prestigious destination on New Year’s Day.

That was until the 1986 season, when Ohio State and Michigan tied for the Big Ten championship. The Wolverines and Buckeyes played their usual end-of-the-season rivalry in late November — this time at Ohio Stadium. Michigan needed a win to force a co-championship and with a head-to-head win would earn a spot in the Rose Bowl.

U-M quarterback Jim Harbaugh guaranteed a win before the game and delivered a 26-24 victory. The Buckeyes were awarded a nice consolation prize — a Jan. 1 spot in the Cotton Bowl against favored Texas A&M, the champion of the now-defunct Southwest Conference.

Getting to the Cotton was one of Coach Earle Bruce’s best coaching jobs during his time in Columbus. The Buckeyes faced a daunting non-conference schedule to start 1986. It lost the opener, 16-10, to Alabama in the Kickoff Classic in New Jersey then was hammered, 40-7, at Washington.

The next week, OSU — facing a possible 0-3 start — survived a scare against Colorado, 13-10, for its first win. The next week, Utah paid a visit and the Buckeyes won big, 64-6.

When Big Ten play began, OSU found its stride and won seven straight, including a win at No. 11 Iowa, 31-10. Against the Wolverines, the Buckeyes nearly rallied from a 26-17 deficit but kicker Matt Frantz missed wide left on a field goal in the final seconds.

The Buckeyes were led by All-America wide receiver Cris Carter, quarterback Jim Karsatos, defensive back Sonny Gordon, brothers John and Mike Sullivan of Lake Catholic and All-America linebacker Chris Spielman. On Bruce’s coaching staff was Urban Meyer, who was in his first year as an OSU assistant in charge of the tight ends.

The Cotton Bowl had been played 50 times before the 1987 Classic. Never had a Big Ten team kicked off in that game on Texas soil. The buildup leading up to the game had A&M faithful believing the Buckeyes didn’t belong. OSU had different ideas, and its defense delivered an impressive 28-12 victory.

“We played against the 12th man, the waving white towels and in Texas,” said Spielman, who had two interceptions and was voted the game’s outstanding defensive player. “We adapted, we improvised, and we won.”

If the game felt different for those from Big Ten country and the folks from Texas, the Buckeyes did their part making this bowl matchup feel different as well. Bruce roamed the sideline in a suit and fedora and the team came out donned in red shoes.

The defense was different, too. It came out in multiple formations built to confuse A&M quarterback Kevin Murray. It worked as Murray threw a Cotton Bowl record five interceptions — all in the second half.

“It wasn’t what they were doing, it’s what we weren’t doing,” said Murray in the postgame. “Five intercepts. That’s enough turnovers to lose to the Sisters of the Poor. They didn’t whip us. We just didn’t move the ball.”

The game was a struggle on both sides in the first half but Karsatos’ 3-yard run in the second quarter gave the Buckeye a 7-6 halftime lead.

The second half started with a huge play by Spielman, who intercepted a Murray pass on the Aggies’ first possession of the third quarter and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.

A Vince Workman (13 carries, 45 yards) touchdown run made it 21-6 but a Roger Vick TD run closed to gap to 21-12. Linebacker Michael Kee ended all A&M hopes by returning another pick for a TD — this one 49 yards — and the Buckeyes’ celebration began.

The Cotton Bowl win gave OSU a 10-3 mark, and it was ranked No. 7 in the final Associated Press poll. A&M finished 9-3 and was No. 13 in the final AP poll.

Ohio State has played in the Cotton Bowl just one other time — a 24-7 win over USC in 2017. Only three other Big Ten teams have played in the Cotton — Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin.

Missouri vs. Ohio State

What: Cotton Bowl

When: 8 p.m., Dec. 29

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Records: Missouri 10-2; OSU 11-1

TV: ESPN