1981 Independence Bowl Recap

Saturday, December 12

Shreveport, LA

Oklahoma State University

Texas A&M

December 12, 1981 | Cowboy Football

SHREVEPORT -- Oklahoma State's nationally-ranked defense did its job for a while, but Texas A&M opened up late in the first half to score two quick touch-downs and went on to hand the Cowboys just their second bowl loss, 33-16, in the Independence Bowl.

OSU's opportunistic offense turned an Aggie fumble into a 7-0 lead only minutes into the game. Defensive back Pete DiClementi recovered a fumble for the Pokes on A&M's 25, and running back Ernest Anderson got the score several plays later on a one-yard plunge.

The Aggies responded with the first of four David Hardy field goals to cut the margin to 7-3, but all-Big Eight kicker Larry Roach put OSU back up by seven, 10-3, with a 43-yarder of his own. Midway through the second period, Hardy closed the margin to 10-6, and moments later the Aggies scored two lightning quick cross-country aerial touchdowns to move to a 20-10 halftime lead.

Two Hardy field goals upped that lead to 26-10 before the Cowboys drove 66 yards for Vince Orange's five-yard TD burst. OSU was crippled by injuries to several running backs during the contest, and A&M showed its versatility with 223 rushing yards and 225 passing yards before a record 47,300. Linebacker Mike Green led OSU's defense and was voted outstanding defensive player.