Tony Temple's record-setting performance conjures up Cotton Bowl memories

1/1/2008 6:04 PM

By DAVID JIMENEZ
Associated Press Writer

DALLAS (AP) - Tony Temple had no idea who Dicky Maegle is and his place in Cotton Bowl history.

The former Rice star apparently wasn't offended, since he admitted he knew more about Temple's teammate, Missouri quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Daniel, than the Tigers' running back

Temple set a Cotton Bowl record with 281 yards rushing in Missouri's 38-7 win over Arkansas on Tuesday, breaking a mark that Maegle first set with a memorable performance in 1954.

When told about surpassing Maegle at the postgame press conference, Temple whispered to Tigers coach Gary Pinkel, ``Who's Dicky Maegle?''

Maegle was asking the same thing after the game.

``I had never heard of him,'' said the 73-year-old Maegle, who watched from his home in Houston. ``I was more familiar with Missouri based on the play of their quarterback. Honestly, I thought if anyone had a chance of breaking the record, I thought it would have been one of the Arkansas running backs (Darren McFadden or Felix Jones).''

Too busy tearing through the Razorbacks' defense, Temple obviously didn't pay attention to the clip on the stadium scoreboard highlighting Maegle's 265-yard performance against Alabama 54 years ago.

So here's a little history lesson for Temple: Maegle had touchdown runs of 34, 79 and 95 yards in Rice's 28-6 win over the Crimson Tide. But the game is more remembered for an improbable tackle than any of Maegle's feats.

As Maegle was breaking free down the right sideline on the way toward a 95-yard run, Alabama fullback Tommy Lewis jumped off the bench and onto the field to blindside Maegle near midfield. Officials credited Maegle with a touchdown.

The two then appeared together on ``The Ed Sullivan Show'' two days after the game.

While Temple was oblivious to Maegle's accomplishments, Daniel offered a little to his teammate.

``We had heard about the guy that tackled him off the sidelines and stuff like that,'' Daniel said. ``So we knew a little bit about him.''

Temple made his own name in Cotton Bowl lore against the Razorbacks. On his final carry of the game, Temple broke loose for a spinning, tackle-breaking 40-yard touchdown run and then rode to the bench on the arms of Daniel and an offensive lineman because he had tweaked a hamstring injury.

``It's a tremendous accomplishment for this young man and I congratulate him,'' Maegle said. ``Even though it may have looked easy, it's not. He was tremendous.''