DALLAS – Behind Jevan Snead’s passing, Dexter McCluster’s squirming runs and some big returns by Marshay Green, No. 20 Mississippi overcame an early deficit and beat No. 8 Texas Tech 47-34 Friday in the final Cotton Bowl played in the stadium of the same name.

The Red Raiders (11-2) converted a pair of early turnovers into a 14-0 lead, but Snead led the Rebels to touchdowns on their next three drives. Once Green returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, Ole Miss (9-4) was well on its way to capping coach Houston Nutt’s first season in grand style.

This was Mississippi’s sixth straight win, matching its longest streak since 2003, when Eli Manning was a senior. That also was the last time the Rebels had been to a bowl.

Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell set the record for most career touchdowns in major college football (134) and became the first player with two 5,000-yard passing seasons. He was 36-of-58 for a Cotton Bowl-record 364 yards, giving him 5,111 yards this season.

Liberty Bowl

Kentucky 25, East Carolina 19

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ventrell Jenkins scooped up a fumble and barreled 56 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, helping Kentucky win a program-best third straight bowl game.

The Wildcats (7-6) never led until the fourth quarter, when Myron Pryor forced a fumble with about 3 minutes left. In the scramble for the loose ball, Jenkins came up with it and rumbled down the right sideline untouched.

for the touchdown.

East Carolina (9-5) went four-and-out on its next possession and the Kentucky picked up a first down before running out the clock.

The victory, which came on the heels of two straight wins in the Music City Bowl behind record-setting quarterback Andre Woodson, gave Rich Brooks a distinction in Kentucky history that even Bear Bryant couldn’t claim. Bryant was the only other Wildcats coach to lead the team to three straight bowls, but he only won two of them.