DALLAS (AP) -- The guys from the "Show-Me State" made their case for having deserved a chance in one of the elite bowl games.

They routed Darren McFadden and Arkansas 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl.

The biggest surprise is that the emphasis came from running back Tony Temple, not quarterback Chase Daniel, a Heisman Trophy finalist like McFadden.

Temple broke longstanding Cotton Bowl records with 281 yards and four touchdowns. Both records fell on his last run, a spinning, tackle-breaking, 40-yarder into the end zone.

Daniel and a lineman celebrated by carrying Temple back to the sideline. It was Mizzou's first New Year's Day game since 1970.

Mizzou (12-2) was ranked Number One after beating Kansas in the regular season finale, then lost badly to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game.

(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)