Doug Flutie gained national attention in 1984 when he quarterbacked the Eagles to a 47–45 win in what would be called Hail Flutie. Flutie left school as the NCAA’s all-time passing yardage leader with 10,579 yards, won the Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American as a senior. This was their first Cotton Bowl Classic since 1940. The Cougars shared the Southwest Conference title for the first time since 1979. They shared it with SMU despite beating them earlier in the season. While SMU was invited to the Aloha Bowl, the Cougars were invited to the Cotton Bowl, their first since 1980.

Game summary

The Eagles rolled to a 31-14 lead at halftime on Flutie's three touchdown passes (to three different receivers) and a Steve Strachan touchdown, despite the Cougars' two quick ways of scoring touchdowns, one of which occurring when Larry Shepherd caught a Gerald Landry pass for a touchdown with only 22 seconds left in the half. Raymond Tate narrowed the lead with his touchdown late in the third quarter. Audrey McMillian intercepted a Flutie pass and returned it 25 yards to make it 31-27 as the third quarter came to a close. But the Eagles scored with 5:45 remaining on a Steve Strachan touchdown run. Troy Stradford sealed the game with a touchdown run with 1:06 to go as the Eagles won their first Cotton Bowl Classic ever.

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