Clausen puts Texas A&M in a pickle

DALLAS – Rick Clausen hardly looked like a third-stringer.

Buried as a backup for most of the season, Clausen led No. 15 Tennessee to five touchdowns in just 2 1/2 quarters and Volunteers’ defense shut down No. 22 Texas A&M for a 38-7 romp in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday.

“Probably our best effort of the year,” Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer called it.

Tennessee posted the most-lopsided win in its 45-game bowl history. The Vols had lost four of their last five bowls, dropping the previous two by a total of 40 points and never leading in either game.

Clausen showed the poise and patience of a seasoned leader, not a junior transfer who was beaten out by two freshmen and was playing only because they were both hurt.

He finished 18 of 27 for 222 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks.

In addition to proving himself, Clausen improved his family’s bowl reputation; brother Casey went 1-3 as Tennessee’s starting quarterback its last four bowl games, including a loss in the 2001 Cotton. Rick watched that game from the stands, just as Casey did this time.

Clausen humbly accepted the offensive Most Valuable Player trophy.

“My job is very simple: Get the ball in their hands,” he said. “As long as I do that, good things happen.”

The rout began when C.J. Fayton turned a short pass into a 57-yard TD on the game’s seventh play. Tennessee (10-3) surprised A&M by continuing to pass and the Vols defense stunned the Aggies (7-5) by producing five turnovers. A&M had eight all season.

“Go figure,” Aggies coach Dennis Franchione said.

The Volunteers came within 5:13 of their first bowl shutout since the last time they played the Aggies, way back in the 1957 Gator Bowl.

The Aggies were looking for a great ending to their big turnaround from last season’s 4-8. Instead, they got a reminder of last season – their worst performance since a 77-0 loss to Oklahoma. It also was their fifth straight loss in the Cotton Bowl.

“We just had too many mistakes,” said quarterback Reggie McNeal, who was 23 of 38 for 241 yards and a TD.

McNeal also threw an interception, his fourth of the season, and was involved in two fumbles – a lost option pitch and a drop when hit by three defenders, one of whom ripped off McNeal’s helmet.