TICKETS THE CLASSIC FAN ZONE AT&T STADIUM MEDIA PORTAL
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J. Curtis Sanford Trophy Winner (Offensive MVP) – Baylor QB Bryce Petty
Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty claimed the 79th annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic’s J. Curtis Sanford Offensive MVP Award after totaling 550 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and one rushing score in the New Year’s Day game at AT&T Stadium.
Despite the Baylor loss, 42-41, to eighth-ranked Michigan State, Petty set the Classic record for passing yards and closed out his senior season with a strong offensive performance.
The senior’s 550 passing yards was a career high as well as a record for a Classic contest. It was Petty’s 16th career 300-yard passing game and fourth 400-yard passing game. The Midlothian, Texas, product became the first BU quarterback to throw three touchdowns in a bowl game in program history.
Petty guided his offense to a dominant showing as BU led 40-21 going into the fourth quarter. Petty and company amassed 583 offensive yards, and 603 passing yards, with just over 23 minutes for time of possession.
Petty connected with freshman wide receiver KD Cannon for two long scores on the day. Early in the first quarter, the tandem tied the game at 7-7 with a 49-yard touchdown. Petty would find Cannon again in the third quarter on a 74-yard pass that put the Bears ahead 31-14.
In an unlikely score in the third quarter, Petty also delivered a touchdown to LaQuan McGowan, the Bears’ 390-pound offensive lineman. On second and 11 on the Michigan State 18, Petty found McGowan to push Baylor’s lead to 41-21.
Petty also contributed a rush touchdown in the second quarter to account for four total TDs.
An offensive catalyst for Baylor all season long, Petty led the Bears to scores on four of its first six drives and also on three-straight scores to open the second half. His 514 yards (550 passing, -36 rushing) ranks second all-time in Cotton Bowl history.
Petty is the first from Baylor to win the Classic’s Offensive MVP Award and second Bear to claim an individual MVP award at the Classic (Ken Quesenberry, Safety, 1975).
