Tue Jan 1 15:51:51 2008

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Missouri crushes Arkansas behind Temple's record setting effort

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Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Tony Temple rushed for 281 yards and four touchdowns, both Cotton Bowl records, as No. 7 Missouri trounced No. 25 Arkansas, 38-7.

Temple accomplished both feats on 24 attempts, breaking the old mark of 265 yards and three scores set by Rice's Dicky Maegle in 1954. Chase Daniel completed 12-of-29 passes for 136 yards with one interception for Missouri (12-2), which rebounded from a disappointing blowout loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game. Will Franklin had five grabs for 77 yards, and William Moore had an interception return for a score and a forced fumble for the Tigers, playing in their first New Year's Day bowl since 1970, and their first Cotton Bowl since 1946.

Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden, the focus of questionable media reports in the past few days regarding a sports utility vehicle he owns, gained 105 yards on 21 carries with a score for Arkansas (8-5). Casey Dick was 19-of-32 for 197 yards and one interception, and Peyton Hillis had five catches for 52 yards. Arkansas' other talented running back, Felix Jones, rushed 10 times for 45 yards.

The Razorbacks played the game under interim coach and defensive coordinator Reggie Herring. Former head coach Houston Nutt left his post after the regular season to take over at Ole Miss, and Bobby Petrino, who left his job as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on December 11th to take the head job at Arkansas, watched from the stands.