The 1948 Cotton Bowl Classic was a post-season game between the SMU Mustangs and the Penn State Nittany Lions.

[2] The team stayed at the Dallas Air Naval Training base due to Triplett and Hoggard not being allowed in the cities' hotels.

Penn State roared back with Larry Cooney's 38-yard touchdown catch from Elwood Petchel as the game was 13–7 at halftime.

Wallace Triplett caught a touchdown pass from Petchel in the third quarter, but the extra point missed as the game was tied, 13–13.

The game had no further points as Walker was limited to 75 yards combined and Penn State lost two fumbles.