Texas was trying to win consecutive national championships, while Notre Dame was seeking revenge for the previous Cotton Bowl loss to Texas, its first bowl appearance in over four decades.
Game summary
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9–1) vs. Texas Longhorns (10–0)
After Texas' initial field goal, Notre Dame scored 21 straight points.[6] Texas scored in the second quarter and Notre Dame added a field goal to lead 24–11 at halftime.[4] Parseghian's defense held the Longhorn wishbone offense in check the rest of the game and the second half was scoreless.[7] Texas committed six turnovers (five fumbles and an interception) while Notre Dame had only two turnovers.[8]
Aftermath
It ended the Longhorns' 30-game winning streak,[4] which is currently (as of October 2011) the 12th longest winning streak in NCAA Division I records. Notre Dame had defeated Oklahoma in 1957 to end their 47-game win streak.[9]
Texas had been selected as the national champion by the UPI Coaches' Poll,[10] whose final edition was then released at the end of the regular season, prior to bowl games. After a similar occurrence in 1973, the Coaches Poll released its final edition after the bowl games, starting with the 1974 season.
There was a Cotton Bowl Classic in January and December in 1966, 2015, 2017, 2023, 2025.
The 2015 (December), 2018, 2021, and 2025 (January) editions were College Football Playoff semifinals.