Number One: 2004 Cotton Bowl

The 2004 Cotton Bowl ranks as the number one story/memory for those of us at Ole Miss over the past 4 years. The 2003 Rebels finished the regular season 9-3. After a win over Mississippi State in a rain soaked Egg Bowl the Rebels had to wait a couple of week to find their destiny. After the SEC Championship the Rebels found out they would be going to Dallas to face Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. The Cotton Bowl is one of the most prestigious bowls anyone could go to due to its history. The Rebels had quite a history in Dallas and many fans looked forward to making the trip.

Although some fans had wished for a better bowk than the Cotton Bowl, we were happy to be there. I decided to fly over with a couple of my friends rather than drive. Once arriving at the airport it was obvious many Rebels had decided the same. When the stewartist came over the intercom she referred to it as the "Ole Miss Express, Non Stop to Dallas." I knew when she said that it was going to be a fun trip.

The game was on Jan. 2, but many Rebel fans headed to Dallas to celebrate New Year's Eve. When we arrived at the hotel, I knew we were at the right place, because the entire staff, bell boys, and front desk staff were dressed in Ole Miss hats and Rebel football t-shirts. Later that night a group of Rebels threw a huge New Year's Eve party at a local bar that was attended by several hundred Ole Miss fans. I could not have asked for a more fun New Year's Eve party.

Jan. 1 was spent at the hotel bar by many fans as they spent recovering from the night before and watching bowl games that were taking place. Also pep rally's were held around town as well as party's thrown for different leaders from Ole Miss. With the game being an early game, many Rebel fans took it easy on Jan 1.

Jan.2 came about and many Rebel fans were up bright and early and ready for the game. Upon arriving on the fairgrounds and getting past the long lines at the historic Cotton Bowl stadium, one witnessed a perfect sea of orange and red, as the stadium was divided perfectly between Rebels and Cowboys. The Rebels led by as many as 17 at one point in the game, but the Cowboys never gave in. They were led by All-America receiver Rashaun Woods who made a catch to cut to lead the Rebel lead to three late in the fourth quarter. Rebel fans who at one point in the game, thought it was in the bag now began to worry. However a 25 yard run by Tremaine Turner when the Rebels faced 3rd and 4 with 2 minutes in the fourth helped push the Rebels down the field and pin the Cowboys deep in their territory. The Rebels held on to defeat the Cowboys 31-28 in front of an over flow crowd of almost 74,000.

This day was the proudest many Rebel fans had been in years. They thought that football was back and back for good. As Coach Cut said after the game, "this is only the beginning", everyone was fired up and could not wait till next year. We all know how the story played out as the Rebels had a losing season and Cut was fired. Those that decided to make the trip to Dallas were not let down. Many still talk about it to this day as to how fun the trip was. Those that did not go still kick themselves for not going. They realized how big this game was for the Rebels and how much fun they missed out on in spending several days in Dallas. We might not make it to the Cotton Bowl next year or the year after that, but when we do, I promise you I will be the first person back on the, "Ole Miss Express, Non Stop to Dallas."