Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

For those who knew him or simply admired his remarkable ability to motivate players, Jess Neely was a true coaching legend. Neely prowled the Rice sideline for 27 seasons where he put together an unparalleled record of achievement. He guided the Owls to three Cotton Bowl appearances in the 1950s and is remembered most for the Owls 28-6 thrashing of Alabama in the 1954 Classic. Neely paid his initial coaching visit to the Cotton Bowl in 1940 when his Clemson Tigers defeated Boston College, 6-3, and was the first coach to guide more than one university to the Cotton Bowl. It's well documented that some of the Classic's greatest moments came under Neely's watch. In four New Year's Day appearances, he built a solid 3-1-0 winning record.