[3][4][5][6] Auburn was highlighted by running back Bo Jackson, who rushed for 1,786 yards and won the Heisman Trophy for a team that at one point was ranked #1 before losing to Tennessee September 28.

They won the Southwest Conference championship for the first time since 1976; their previous appearance in the Cotton Bowl was eighteen years earlier in 1968.

[1] Bo Jackson started the scoring for Auburn with a touchdown run early in the game after a fumble recovery.

But A&M responded with their own touchdown run by Harry Johnson, and they scored just three minutes later, but it was only 12–6 A&M, due to a missed extra point and a failed conversion attempt.

Auburn mustered a field goal by Chris Johnson to make it 21–16 entering the fourth quarter.