Eli versus Peyton in 2004?
By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
January 3, 2004
DALLAS Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning ended his college career on Friday in the Rebels' 31-28 win over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Manning will likely be one of the top selections in April's NFL draft.
This week, the NFL released the 2004 opponents for each team's schedule. Should Manning be drafted either No. 1 by San Diego or No. 2 by Oakland a likely scenario he will face older brother Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis.
Attendance
A sellout crowd of 73,928 was announced at the Cotton Bowl, though there were a handful of empty seats throughout the stadium. It was the second-largest attendance in Cotton Bowl history.
Heatwave
Unseasonably warm temperatures reached 74 degrees for the 1 p.m. kickoff on Friday. It was a record high temperature for the 68-year-old game.
Historic toss
Manning's 25-yard touchdown pass to Mike Espy in the second quarter etched the Rebel quarterback's name into the history books once again. With the pass, Manning became just the fifth
Southeastern Conference quarterback to pass for 10,000 yards in a career. Manning finished his career with 10,119 yards fifth-best in league history.
Long drive
The Rebels' 97-yard touchdown drive in the second half tied for the longest scoring drive in Cotton Bowl history. Ole Miss holds the record with four other teams, including Texas against Mississippi State in the 1999 game.
Individual honors
Manning was rewarded for his 257-yard effort on Friday with the Cotton Bowl's Outstanding Offensive Player award. Defensive end Josh Cooper, also playing in his final college football game, recorded two sacks and was named Outstanding Defensive Player.
Pay attention, kids
The second of Cooper's two sacks came because he was looking and listening and an Oklahoma State offensive lineman wasn't.
On fourth down and four, Cooper broke through the line untouched and pulled down Cowboys quarterback Josh Fields to return possession to the Rebels.
Record setters
Fields set a new Cotton Bowl record with his 307-yard performance in the Cowboys' 31-28 loss. Wide receiver Rashaun Woods set new receiving records for the game with 11 catches and 223 yards.
