On the drive back from Dallas on Saturday, it dawned on me that the 2014 Cotton Bowl champion Missouri Tigers actually scored more points than the 2008 Cotton Bowl champs. So I went through the stat sheets, nothing really scientific here, just to compare some of the numbers.

The reality of why this team scored more is based on a couple of different factors. For starters, Mizzou ran more offensive plays in this game, 91-72. OSU also helped by having ten penalties for 100 yards, compared six for 50 yards by Arkansas.

Quite frankly, this year’s team needed to score more points in order to win.

Watch more of Mizzou’s on-field celebration

Some of the numbers are really close in terms of total yards, INT-TD ratio for Franklin and Daniel…the number of receptions.  Each defensive team coming up defensive touchdown.  The difference in the game?  It came down to kickers.  Jeff Wolfert hit a 32 yard field goal, Andrew Baggett (great redemption for him), hit two.  His first came from 35, and his second was pretty from 46.

Total yards

2014–462
2008–459

Passing yards

2014–206
2008–136

Rushing yards

2014–256
2008–323

Quarterbacks

James Franlin–15-40-1 INT, 0 TD
Chase Daniel–12-29-1 INT, 0 TD

Runningbacks

Henry Josey–94 yards, 3 TDs
Tony Temple–281 yards, 4 TDs

Top receiver

Dorial Green-Beckham–4 catches, 53 yards
Will Franklin–5 catches, 77 yards

Defensive TDs

Shane Ray, 73 yard fumble return
Willie Moore, 26 yard interception return

Turnovers

2014–2 fumbles lost, 1 interception
2008–2 fumbles lost, 1 interception