HISTORY: 86TH CLASSIC – DID YOU KNOW? THE FIRST Alabama became the first team to win the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic more than once in the 13 Classic games that have been played at AT&T Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Michigan State, 38-0, in the 80th Classic.
ALMOST PERFECT With the win, Alabama moved to 6-1 in College Football Playoff Semifinals, winning its last six appearances by double digits. Cincinnati is 0-1 in CFP Semifinal appearances.
6.4 Alabama’s rushing average of 6.4 yards (301 yards on 47 carries) ties two other teams for the highest rushing average in a New Year’s Six bowl game.
HEISMAN HOME Alabama quarterback Bryce Young became the 14th player in Cotton Bowl history to win the Heisman Trophy given annually to the nation’s top college football player. The previous Heisman winner to play in the Classic was Alabama running back Derrick Henry.
BEING NO. 1 Alabama was the first No. 1 ranked team to win the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic since the 34th Classic on January 1, 1970, when No. 1 Texas defeated No. 9 Notre Dame, 21-17.
ACTUALLY PERFECT Alabama is 6-0 at AT&T Stadium, the most wins for an FBS team at the stadium without a loss.
THE BIG 2-0-0 Alabama’s Brian Robinson Jr.’s rushing performance 204 yards on 26 carries (7.8 yards per carry) ranks tied for fifth in Classic history. His rushing total also ranks second all-time in a New Year’s Six bowl game and sixth best by an FBS player in AT&T Stadium history.
G5 HISTORY Cincinnati became the first school representing the Group of Five conferences to make the College Football Playoff. Champions of the American Athletic Conference, the Bearcats came into the Classic undefeated.
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