Dallas ? Rick Clausen hardly looked like a third-stringer.

Buried as a backup for most of the season, Clausen led No. 15 Tennessee to five touchdowns in just 21/2 quarters and Volunteers’ defense shut down No. 22 Texas A&M for a 38-7 romp in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday.

“Probably our best effort of the year,” coach Phillip Fulmer called it.

Tennessee posted the most-lopsided win in its 45-game bowl history. The aVols had lost four of their last five bowls, dropping the previous two by a total of 40 points and never leading in either game.

Clausen showed the poise and patience of a seasoned leader, not a junior transfer who was beaten out by two freshmen and was playing only because they were both hurt.

He finished 18-of-27 for 222 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks.

In addition to proving himself, Clausen improved his family’s bowl reputation; brother Casey went 1-3 as Tennessee’s starting quarterback its last four bowl games, including a loss in the 2001 Cotton. Rick watched that game from the stands, just like Casey did this time.

Clausen humbly accepted the offensive MVP trophy.

“My job is very simple: Get the ball in their hands,” he said. “As long as I do that, good things happen.”

Tennessee quarterback Rick Clausen passes against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. Clausen was named the game's offensive Most Valuable Player, and the 15th-ranked Volunteers won, 38-7, Saturday in Dallas.

The rout began when C.J. Fayton turned a short pass into a 57-yard touchdown on the game’s seventh play. Tennessee (10-3) surprised A&M by continuing to pass and the Vols defense stunned the Aggies (7-5) by producing five turnovers. A&M had just eight all season.

“Go figure,” coach Dennis Franchione said.

The Volunteers came within 5:13 of their first bowl shutout since the last time they played the Aggies, way back in the 1957 Gator Bowl.

The Aggies were looking for a great ending to their big turnaround from last season’s 4-8. Instead, they got a reminder of last season — their worst performance since a 77-0 loss to Oklahoma. It also was their fifth straight loss in the Cotton Bowl.

“We just had too many mistakes,” said quarterback Reggie McNeal, who was 23-of-38 for 241 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception, just his fourth of the season, and was involved in two fumbles — a lost option pitch and a drop when hit by three defenders, one of whom ripped off McNeal’s helmet.

Aggressive defense was part of Tennessee’s game plan. The Vols were aiming for four turnovers and to be stingier than their last three games, when they allowed between 31 and 38 points each time.

“We were talking the whole bowl preparation about a comeback, playing better, not giving up plays that would end up being the difference,” Fulmer said. “I’m really proud of that.”