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Welcome From Head Coach Bob StoopsWelcome to one of the great
traditions in all of sports, football at the University of
Oklahoma. Our name is synonymous with the history and excellence of
college football.
It is that way because the Sooner program is as vibrant and
pertinent today as it was 50 years ago. This is a place where the
championships of the past are appreciated, but never do they
obscure the pursuit of our next one.
Success here creates a hunger for more; more success on the
field, more success in the classroom and more success in life away
from football. And the people here ask the right questions... How
can we achieve more? How can we do it better? How can we help you
reach your goals?
The real winner in that scenario is the student-athlete. This
environment inspires greatness and encourages excellence. It does
so with an eye on compassion and friendliness, qualities that have
long defined this university and the state of Oklahoma.
I dont believe there is a better situation in all of college
football than the one that has been created right here in Norman.
There is an unmistakable energy and yet a comfortable pace that
co-exist on this campus.
It is that atmosphere that allows us each year to strive for
college footballs highest goals, to prepare for that next
championship. We know that success here is judged by championships
and we wouldnt have it any other way.
2008 Ou FOOTBALL GuIDEThe 2008 Oklahoma Football Guide was
designed and produced by the OU Athletics Department in Norman,
Okla., using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.
The guide was printed by OU Printing Services of Norman at no
cost to the taxpayers of the state of Oklahoma. The University of
Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer.
PROJECT COORDINATORSKenny Mossman, David Bassity
GuIDE DESIGNDavid Bassity, Jason Matheson, Jared Thompson
COvER DESIGNScott Matthews
CONTRIBuTORSKristin Conder, Brian Dude, Mitch Heckart, Drew
Kirtley, Scott Matthews, Matt Montgomery, Craig Moran, Phillip
Rogers, Sheridan Samples, Danny Sexton, Josh Tullius
RESEARCH ASSISTANCEMike Brooks, Debbie Copp
PHOTOGRAPHyLisa Hall, Icon Sports Media, Joey Johnson, Mark
Kraus, Jackson Laizure, Jerry Laizure, Phillip Laizure, Jason
Matheson, Ty Russell, Shevaun Williams & Associates, John
Williamson, The Tulsa World, NFL, OU Athletics Media Relations
Archives, OU Western History Collections
Nike is the official footwear, apparel supplier and sponsor of
the University of Oklahoma football
CHATTANOOGA (August 30 at Norman, Okla.)
CINCINNATI (September 6 at Norman, Okla.)
at WASHINGTON (September 13 at Seattle, Wash.)
TCu (September 27 at Norman, Okla.)
at BAyLOR (October 4 at Waco, Texas)
TExAS (October 11 at Dallas, Texas)
KANSAS (October 18 at Norman, Okla.)
at KANSAS STATE (October 25 at Manhattan, Kan.)
NEBRASKA (November 1 at Norman, Okla.)
at TExAS A&M (November 8 at College Station, Texas)
TExAS TECH (November 22 at Norman, Okla.)
at OKLAHOMA STATE (November 29 at Stillwater, Okla.)
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP (December 6 at Kansas City, Mo.)
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6BOOMER SOONERAn overview of the Oklahoma football tradition
including seven national championships, 41 conference titles, 24
bowl victories, four Heisman winners, 64 major award winners, 144
All-Americans, player honors, Sooners in the NFL, OU-Texas,
facilities, Sooner power, coaching staff, the university and
academics.
52MEDIA SERvICESThe Oklahoma Athletics Media Relations
Department provides complete services for media covering the
Sooners throughout the year. View contact information, media
instructions and policies, information on credentials and media
availability for coaches, staff and student-athletes.
55THE STADIuMOklahoma Memorial Stadium is one of Americas most
recognized college football cathedrals. Situated on the east side
of the Norman campus, this historical facility is the largest
sports arena in the state and, following its recent expansion, now
ranks among the 15 largest on-campus facilities in the nation.
58SEASON OuTLOOKOklahoma opens the season against Chattanooga in
Norman. A trip to Washington highlights the non-conference schedule
with the 103rd OU-Texas game slated for the Cotton Bowl. Big 12
foes Kansas, Nebraska and Texas Tech visit Norman while OU travels
to Baylor, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.
62ROSTERSWhile some might dwell on early NFL departures, there
are no tears being shed in Norman. The reason? The number of
letterwinners returning in 2008, 40. Even more promosing is that 27
of the 40 return with starting experience including a number of
double-digit starters.
DEMARCO MuRRAy
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2008 OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL GuIDE
* * * * * *1950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL
CHAMPIONS
SEASON REvIEWHISTORy
THE SOONERSCOACHING STAFF
2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
BOOMER SOONEROU Football Quick Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Sooner Football
Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 6Booming Sooners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8National
Championships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 10Conference Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12All-Americans
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 14National Award Winners . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Sooners in the
NFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 18National Attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Bowl
Championships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 22OU-Texas Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Football Time
in Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 26Football Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Sooner Power. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 30Explosive Offense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Dominating Defense.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 34Sooner Special Teams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Head Coach Bob Stoops . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
38OU Coaching Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40The University of Oklahoma . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42Academic Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Sooners in the Community . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46Norman & Oklahoma City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Big 12 Conference . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
MEDIA SERvICESOU Athletics Media Relations . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Media Information &
Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 53Maps & Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Stadium Information
& Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 55
2008 SEASONSeason Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Rosters &
Pronunciations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 62Preseason Depth Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Sooners at a
Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 66Opponent Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
70COACHING STAFFIdentifying and recruiting talent, coaching
talent to play at its peak and preparing players for life after
college, whether it be football or in the business world, nobody
does it better than head coach Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma coaching
staff.
90PLAyER BIOSWhen a team has 27 starters returning, its safe to
say it has its fair share of top-notch talent stockpiled. A quick
look at the preseason honors list confirms that. With a senior
class that has played in three BCS bowl games in the last four
years, this is a team that knows what it takes to get to college
footballs big stage.
126SEASON REvIEWAny questions about the 2007 Oklahoma team were
answered quickly with a strong start out of the gate. By seasons
end, the squad marched to its fifth Big 12 title and became the
first institution to capture back-to-back conference crowns before
playing in its second straight Fiesta Bowl.
18SOONER TRADITIONHistory is one tough customer at Oklahoma. The
tradition, so rich and so long-standing, is as daunting as it is
impressive. To be among the best at Oklahoma is to be among the
best in college football. Review complete statistics, award
winners, player honors, letterwinners, bowl game tradition and NFL
Sooners.
192SEASON By SEASONThe 2008 season will mark the 114th season of
intercollegiate football at OU. The Sooners were playing football
12 years before Oklahoma became a state. Rarely has a football
program and commonwealth enjoyed a more harmonious relationship
that what exists in the Sooner state.
COACHING STAFFHead Coach Bob Stoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Coaching Staff . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 73Support Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
THE SOONERSPlayer Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90Newcomers. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 122
SEASON REvIEW2007 Game Recaps & Statistics. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1262007 Overall Team
Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 1312007 Individual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1322007 Awards & Honors. .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
136
HISTORyIndividual Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138Team Records . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 140Longest Plays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141Records by Position . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 142Season Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153Bowl Tradition. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 156Heisman Trophy Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170National Award Winners . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
172All-Americans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174All-Americans Under Stoops . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
175All-Conference Honors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180Letterwinners . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
182Sooners in the NFL Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188Sooner Football All-Time Results . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192Records
& Championships at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 198Oklahoma Traditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199Prentice Gautt Academics
Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
200Academic Honors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202University President . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
203Director of Athletics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204OU Athletics Department
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
205Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 206SoonerSports.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
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Ou FOOTBALL QuICK FACTSuniversity InformationName of School . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . University of
OklahomaLocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norman, Okla.Founded . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 1890Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,721Nickname . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . SoonersSchool Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Crimson & CreamConference. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big 12 (South
Division)School President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . David L. BorenVice President for
Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe
CastiglioneSchool Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OU.eduAthletics Web site . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SoonerSports.comConference Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Big12sports.com
Stadium InformationStadium Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Field Name . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Owen
FieldSurface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Natural GrassOfficial Capacity . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82,112First Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1923First Game at Site .
. . . . . . . . Oct. 20, 1923 (OU 62, Washington, Mo. 7)Largest
Crowd . . . . . . . . . . . 85,357 on Sept. 8, 2007 (OU 51, Miami
13)Record at Stadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
338-80-14 (.795) (1923-2007)Most Consecutive Wins . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 (1947-1952)
Oklahoma Coaches & StaffBob Stoops. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach (10th Season)Overall Record
at OU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
97-22 (.815)
Brent Venables . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assoc. Head
Coach/Defensive Coord./LBBobby Jack Wright . . . . . . Asst. Head
Coach/ Asst. Defensive Coord./DBKevin Wilson. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Offensive Coordinator/TE/FBCale Gundy. .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recruiting
Coordinator/RBJay Norvell . . . . . . . . . Asst. Offensive
Coord./Passing Game Coord./WRJosh Heupel . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Coach/QBJames Patton
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assistant Coach/OLJackie Shipp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Coach/DLChris Wilson . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant
Coach/DE
The Sooners This SeasonOffensive Lettermen Returning. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Defensive
Lettermen Returning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 18Specialist Lettermen Returning . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Lettermen Lost . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 22Players Redshirted in 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Seniors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Juniors . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 24Sophomores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Redshirt
Freshmen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 26True Freshmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2007 Final Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3Conference Record . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 (Big 12 Champions)Final Ranking .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 8 (AP & USA Today
Coaches)
Oklahoma Football HistoryFirst Year of Football. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 1895 (2008 is 114th season)All-Time Record . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 781-295-53
(.715)All-Time Conference Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 421-134-22 (.749) All-Time Bowl Record . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-16-1 (.598)
National Championships (AP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2000 1985 1975 1974 1956 1955
1950
National Championships (NCAA-Recognized) . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 162003 2000 1986 1985 1980 1978 19751974 1973 1967
1957 1956 1955 1953
1950 1949
Conference Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412007 2006 2004 2002 2000 1987
1986 1985 1984 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1968
1967 1962 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949
1948 1947 1946
1944 1943 1938 1920 1918 1915
Big 12 Conference Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2007 2006 2004 2002 2000
Bowl Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
2001 2000 1999 1994 1993 1991 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1982 1981
1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1972 1971 1970 1968 1967 1964 1962
1958 1957 1955
1953 1950 1949 1948 1946 1938
Bowl Championships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242005 2002 2001 2000 1993 1991
19861985 1981 1980 1979 1978 1976 19751972 1971 1967 1958 1957 1955
1953
1949 1948 1946
Undefeated Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142000 1974 1973 1956 1955 1954 1949
1920 1918 1915 1911 1898 1897 1896
10+ Win Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 30 (No. 1 in the nation)2007 2006 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1987
1986 1985 1980 1979 1978 1977 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1967 1958
1957 1956 1955 1954 1950 1949 1948
1938 1915
Most Consecutive Wins . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 1953-1957 (NCAA
D1 Record)All-Time Points Scored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 29,772 (No. 1 in Nation)All-Americans . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 (63 Consensus)First-Team
All-Conference Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 428Heisman Trophy Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 (2003, 1978, 1969, 1952)Years with OU Player in Heisman Top 10. .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23National Award Winners
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 64All-Time NFL Draft Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .331 (four No. 1 picks)All-Time First Round Picks . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Sooners
on Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Games
(171-87-5) First TV Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 8,
1952, on NBC vs. Notre Dame
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5SEASON REvIEWHISTORy
THE SOONERSCOACHING STAFF
2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
1 950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS* * * * *
*
Oklahoma Head CoachesBob Stoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1999-Present) . . . . . . . . . . 97-22 (.815)John Blake . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . (1996-1998). . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-22
(.353)Howard Schnellenberger . . . . . (1995) . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 5-5-1 (.500)Gary Gibbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1989-1994). . . . . . . . . . . 44-23-2 (.652)Barry Switzer . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . (1973-1988). . . . . . . . . . 157-29-4
(.837)Chuck Fairbanks . . . . . . . . . . . (1967-1972). . . . . .
. . . . . 52-15-1 (.772)Jim Mackenzie . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1966) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 (.600)Gomer Jones
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1964-1965). . . . . . . . . . . .
9-11-1 (.452)Bud Wilkinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1947-1963). .
. . . . . . . . 145-29-4 (.826)Jim Tatum . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . (1946) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3 (.727)Dewey
Luster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1941-1945). . . . . . . . . . .
27-18-3 (.594)Thomas Stidham . . . . . . . . . . . (1937-1940). . .
. . . . . . . . . 27-8-3 (.792)Lawrence Jones . . . . . . . . . . .
. (1935-1936). . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6-3 (.583)Lewie Hardage .
. . . . . . . . . . . (1932-1934). . . . . . . . . . . 11-12-4
(.482)Adrian Lindsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1927-1931). . . . .
. . . . . . 19-19-6 (.500)Bennie Owen . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1905-1926). . . . . . . . . 122-54-16 (.677)Fred Ewing . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . (1904) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3-1
(.563)Mark McMahon . . . . . . . . . . . . (1902-1903). . . . . . .
. . . . . 11-7-3 (.595)Fred Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1901) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 (.600)Vernon
Parrington . . . . . . . . . . (1897-1900). . . . . . . . . . . . .
9-2-1 (.792)No Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1896) . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-0John Harts . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . (1895) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0-1 (.000)
Oklahoma Football by Decade2000s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90-17-0
(.841)1990s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 61-51-3 (.543)1980s . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91-26-2
(.773)1970s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 102-13-3 (.877)1960s . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62-40-2
(.606)1950s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 93-10-2 (.895)1940s . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69-27-4
(.710)1930s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 49-33-12 (.585)1920s . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-30-11
(.551)1910s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 65-20-6 (.747)1900s . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51-26-8
(.647)1890s (First season in 1895) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 8-2-0 (.800)Overall 768-292-53(.714)
Modern Era of College Football*1. Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535-163-13 (.762)2.
Ohio State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 495-162-20 (.747)3. Penn State . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-180-9 (.733)4. Michigan .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
490-178-15 (.728)5. Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501-196-11 (.714)6. Nebraska . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
497-207-10 (.703)7. Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499-205-20 (.702)8. Notre Dame . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470-201-14
(.696)9. Southern Cal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 480-202-23 (.696)10. Tennessee . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485-206-23 (.696) * First
full season after WWII to present (1946-2007)
Weeks Ranked No. 1 in AP Poll*1. Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
95 Notre Dame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 953. Ohio State . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93 4. Southern Cal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865. Nebraska . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 706. Miami (Fla.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687. Florida State . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 598. Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429. Michigan . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 3410. Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Weeks Ranked Top 5 in AP Poll*1. Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
352 2. Ohio State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2983. Nebraska . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 2944. Notre Dame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2765. Southern Cal. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 2746. Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2727. Texas . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 2538. Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2439. Florida State
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 20410. Miami (Fla.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 * 954
Associated Press polls since service began in 1936.
National Championships (AP)1. Notre Dame . . . . . . . . 8 . . .
. . . (1988, 77, 73, 66, 49, 47, 46, 43)2. Oklahoma . . . . . . . .
. . 7 . . . . . . . . . (2000, 85, 75, 74, 56, 55, 50)3. Alabama .
. . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1992, 79, 78, 65,
64, 61)4. Miami (Fla.) . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . (2001, 91, 89, 87, 83) Southern Cal . . . . . . . 5 . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . (2004, 03, 72, 67, 62)
COACH STOOPS
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SOONER FOOTBALL TRADITIONSOONER FOOTBALL TRADITION
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Great college football and the Oklahoma Sooners. For as long as
anyone can remember the two have been one and the same. Unlike some
schools where tradition represents ancient history, or others where
it harkens back only a few years, Oklahomas tradition is a constant
accomplishment unfettered by eras or time.
The Sooners were playing football before Oklahoma became a state
and have achieved a legacy so successful, that more than
contributing to the history of this great game, it defines it.
Most Successful Program of the Modern EraOklahoma is king in the
modern era of college football. Since the end of World War II, the
Sooners are the nations No. 1 team, with more victories (535) than
any other school and the best winning percentage (.760). Victories
1946-2007:
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7SEASON REvIEWHISTORy
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2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
1 950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS* * * * *
*7
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2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
1 950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS* * * * *
*
Greatest Players in College FootballSome of the greatest players
in college football history have worn the Crimson and Cream. The
University of Oklahoma has averaged more than one All-American per
year since it began playing football in 1895.To date, OU players
have earned the prestigious honor 144 times.
Four Sooners have been awarded the Heisman Trophy including
quarterback Jason White in 2003, running back Billy Sims in 1978and
running back Steve Owens in 1969. Running back Billy Vessels was
OUs first Heisman winner in 1952.
64 National Award Winners
7 National Championships41 Conference Championships24 Bowl
Championships4 Heisman Trophy Winners
144 All-Americans
Why Oklahoma? Rufus Alexander, Minnesota vikingsThe people made
this the right decision for me. Everyone welcomes you here and
theyre all very encouraging. You believe that you will become a
great player here because the people here keeping telling you it
will happen. Its a very positive environment for a player.
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BOOMING SOONERS
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BOOMING SOONERSWhat have you done for me lately?
In Oklahomas case, plenty. This is one of the hottest programs
in all of sports.
Oklahoma has played in three national championship games over
the last eight seasons, owns five Big 12 championships during that
time and has played in all four of the BCS games. OU also has
turned out a list of award winners and draft picks so long that it
taxes even the best memory to name them all.
Greatness begets greatness and there has been plenty of that in
Norman lately. Now, from all corners of the country, the best
players come to join a program of traditional success that is
riding one of its biggest waves.
AuSTON ENGL ISH
Wins This Century (2000-2007)
71 Consecutive Televised GamesImagine every game of your college
career televised for family and friends back home. To a Sooner,
thats no dream; its reality. Every one of the past 71 OU football
games have been on TV.
Thanks to ABC, ESPN and Fox Sports Net millions of viewers tune
in to see Oklahoma on a regular basis.
Everyone loves a winner and the Sooners have been just that
under head coach Bob Stoops. But OUs success has driven ratings
since the programs first televised game in 1952. In all, the
Sooners have played 263 games on TV.
This is the center of the college football world and the
television cameras are never far away.
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9SEASON REvIEWHISTORy
THE SOONERSCOACHING STAFF
2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
1 950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS* * * * *
*9
SEASON REvIEWHISTORy
THE SOONERSCOACHING STAFF
2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
1 950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS* * * * *
*
MEMORIAL STADIuM
Stoops Era Attendance Exceeds Four MillionSince Bob Stoops
became the head coach in 1999, Oklahoma has drawn 4,499,034 fans to
Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Never has Sooner
football been more popular with its rabid following.
Stoops winning ways, which have yielded 54 victories in 56 home
games, stoked the Sooner nation and have led to the expansion of
OUs stadium by 9,347 seats. Even so, attendance has exceeded the
listed capacity of 82,112 in 30 consecutive games.
In 2007, Oklahoma set records for average season attendance
(84,858) and single game attendance (85,357). Both are typical of
what has happened here in recent years. The top eight seasons for
OU home attendance have taken place since Stoops arrived.
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SEvEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
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SEvEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Stoops Leads Oklahoma to Seventh TitleIn a 2000 season so richly
laced with great moments, the one for the ages came in the national
title game, a 13-2 victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
It has been called by some the greatest defensive effort ever in a
championship game.
The national title season came just two years into Bob Stoops
tenure and just two years removed from a sub-.500 season. Along the
way, the Sooners had thrilling wins over Nebraska, Texas, Texas
A&M and Kansas State (twice), with only one of those contests
played at Owen Field in Norman.
Headliners included QB Josh Heupel, who finished second in the
Heisman voting, and big-play linebacker Torrance Marshall. The mark
at the end of the season was an unblemished 13-0.
2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPS
2000
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2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
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*1 1
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2008 SEASONBOOM
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*
BuD
WIL
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RRy
SWIT
ZER
Head Coach Barry SwitzerBarry Switzer led his Oklahoma teams to
national championships in 1974, 1975 and 1985. He also won 12 Big
Eight Conference championships and had eight bowl victories in 13
appearances. Switzer directed the Sooners on a 28-game win streak
from 1973 (his first season as head coach) to 1975. When Oklahoma
won the national championship in 1975, it marked the first time in
history a team had won back-to-back titles more than once. In 1970,
as an assistant, he convinced head coach Chuck Fairbanks to make
the most significant and gutsy move in OUs football history, a
switch to the wishbone offense.
Head Coach Bud WilkinsonOklahomas 13th football coach produced
teams that were 6-2 in postseason play, won the national
championship in 1950, 1955 and 1956 and did not lose an astounding
74 straight conference games from 1946-1959 (72 wins, 2 ties). His
teams still hold the modern record for consecutive wins by a FBS
school with 47 straight victories from 1953-1957. After the 1947
season, the Sooners won 12 straight conference championships. In 17
seasons at Oklahoma, Wilkinson fostered racial integration and
graduated players at an 87.2 percentage rate while becoming the
eighth winningest coach in FBS history.1950
19551956197419751985
HEAD COACH BOB STOOPSOklahoma is Championship FootballNothing
defines the competitive success of a college athletics program like
a national championship. Oklahoma, with seven national titles
sprinkled over four decades, is one of the very few programs that
sets out each fall with the expectation and legitimate goal of
pursuing the national crown. That pursuit rates as a lot more than
just talk around here.
The aura is unmistakable, and it radiates from real and repeated
success on college footballs biggest stage. Oklahoma has claimed
more national championships than any other Big 12 program.
The Sooners under Bob Stoops earned the programs most recent
title in 2000 withan Orange Bowl victory over Florida State to cap
an undefeated, 13-0 season. OUs other championships came under
Barry Switzer in 1985, 1975 and 1974, and Bud Wilkinson in 1956,
1955 and 1950.
Oklahoma has played for the BCS title three times during Stoops
tenure.
Consensus National Titles Since 1950
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41 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPSNo Team Has More Big 12
TitlesOklahoma won its first conference championship in 1915 and
has since tacked on another 40. In other words, the Sooners average
a conference title just about every two seasons.
That same pace has carried through the Bob Stoops era with five
league crowns in nine years. That feat merits considerable respect.
Under the Big 12 format, teams must first win a divisional crown
over five opponents before advancing to meet the other divisional
winner at a neutral site.
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41 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Five Big 12 Conference ChampionshipsSince the formation of the
Big 12 Conference in 1996, no team has won as many league titles as
Oklahoma. In fact, no other schools won won more than two and six
of the league members are yet to win their first. The most recent
of OUs five came in 2007 when the Sooners handled No. 1 Missouri,
38-17, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Sooners other Big 12
crowns came in 2006 (21-7 over Nebraska at Kansas City), 2004 (42-3
over Colorado at Kansas City), 2002 (29-7 over Colorado at Houston)
and 2000 (27-24 over Kansas State at Kansas City).
2007 B IG 12 CHAMPIONS
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2008 SEASONBOOM
ER SOONER
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*
2004Big 12 ChampionsOu 42, Colorado
2002Big 12 ChampionsOu 29, Colorado 7
2000Big 12 ChampionsOu 27, K-State 27
2007 B IG 12 CHAMPIONS
Ou Rolls No. 1 Missouri, 8-17In a rematch of an earlier game in
Norman, Oklahoma dominated every phase and punished the nations
top-ranked team, Missouri, by double digits for a second time,
38-17, at the Alamadome in San Antonio.
2006Big 12 ChampionsOu 21, Nebraska 7
2007Big 12 Champions
Oklahomas 41 Conference TitlesYear Conference Record Overall
Coach2007 Big 12 6-2 11-3 Bob Stoops2006 Big 12 7-1 11-3 Bob
Stoops2004 Big 12 8-0 12-1 Bob Stoops2002 Big 12 6-2 12-2 Bob
Stoops2000 Big 12 8-0 13-0 Bob Stoops1987 Big Eight 7-0 11-1 Barry
Switzer1986 Big Eight 7-0 11-1 Barry Switzer1985 Big Eight 7-0 11-1
Barry Switzer1984 Big Eight 6-1 9-2-1 Barry Switzer1980 Big Eight
7-0 10-2 Barry Switzer1979 Big Eight 7-0 11-1 Barry Switzer1978 Big
Eight 6-1 11-1 Barry Switzer1977 Big Eight 7-0 10-2 Barry
Switzer1976 Big Eight 5-2 9-2-1 Barry Switzer1975 Big Eight 6-1
11-1 Barry Switzer1974 Big Eight 7-0 11-0 Barry Switzer1973 Big
Eight 7-0 10-0-1 Barry Switzer1972 Big Eight 5-1 11-1 Chuck
Fairbanks1968 Big Eight 6-1 7-4 Chuck Fairbanks1967 Big Eight 7-0
10-1 Chuck Fairbanks1962 Big Eight 7-0 8-3 Bud Wilkinson1959 Big
Seven 5-1 7-3 Bud Wilkinson1958 Big Seven 6-0 10-1 Bud
Wilkinson1957 Big Seven 6-0 10-1 Bud Wilkinson1956 Big Seven 6-0
10-0 Bud Wilkinson1955 Big Seven 6-0 11-0 Bud Wilkinson1954 Big
Seven 6-0 10-0 Bud Wilkinson1953 Big Seven 6-0 9-1-1 Bud
Wilkinson1952 Big Seven 5-0 8-1-1 Bud Wilkinson1951 Big Seven 6-0
8-2 Bud Wilkinson1950 Big Seven 6-0 10-1 Bud Wilkinson1949 Big
Seven 5-0 11-0 Bud Wilkinson1948 Big Seven 5-0 10-1 Bud
Wilkinson1947 Big Six 4-0-1 7-2-1 Bud Wilkinson1946 Big Six 4-1 8-3
Jim Tatum1944 Big Six 4-0-1 6-3-1 Snorter Luster1943 Big Six 5-0
7-2 Snorter Luster1938 Big Six 5-0 10-1 Tom Stidham1920 Missouri
Valley 4-0-1 6-0-1 Bennie Owen1918 Southwest 2-0 6-0 Bennie
Owen1915 Southwest 3-0 10-0 Bennie Owen
BACK-TO-BACK BIG 12 TITLESOU is the first and only Big 12 school
to win consecutive league championships.
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144 ALL-AMERICANS
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144 ALL-AMERICANS
MARK CLAyTON
ADRIAN PETERSON
If its a college football season, the likelihood is that more
than one Sooner ranks among the best players in the land. That was
true in 1913 when OU produced its first All-American and its true
today when the rate of additions is so rapid that the total now
outnumbers the age of the program itself.
One of college footballs greatest programs has been built by
some of college footballs finest players. Thats the natural result
when talent meets coaching at a program with eye-popping facilities
and great visibility.
Consensus All-Americans in the Big 12University of Oklahoma
players have earned consensus All-America honors 65
times in the programs history. No other school in the Big 12
Conference has produced more consensus All-Americans.
What is a consensus All-American? The NCAA officiallyrecognizes
selections from five All-America teams:
The Sporting News, AP, AFCA, FWAA andWalter Camp.
A player is designated a consensusAll-American if he is a first
team selectionon at least three of the five teams.
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*
CuRTIS LOFTON2007 All-American
RuFuS ALExANDER2006 All-American
MARK CLAyTON2004 All-American
DAN CODy2004 All-American
ADRIAN PETERSON2004 All-American
JAMMAL BROWN2004 All-American
vINCE CARTER2004 All-American
TOMMIE HARRIS2003 All-American
TEDDy LEHMAN2003 All-American
ANTONIO PERKINS2003 All-American
DERRICK STRAIT2003 All-American
JASON WHITE2003 All-American
MARK CLAyTON2003 All-American
TOMMIE HARRIS2002 All-American
TEDDy LEHMAN2002 All-American
ROCKy CALMuS2001 All-American
JEFF FERGuSON2001 All-American
ROy WILLIAMS2001 All-American
ROCKy CALMuS2000 All-American
JOSH HEuPEL2000 All-American
J.T. THATCHER2000 All-American
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SEASON REvIEWHISTORy
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*
Oklahoma players have earned All-America honors 24 times during
head coach Bob Stoops nine-year tenure in Norman (an average of
nearly three per year). The total includes 13 players from the
defense, nine players on offense and two from special teams.
11 years of Ou Football144 All-Americans65 Consensus
All-Americans24 All-Americans under Stoops Ou All-Americans Since
2000
BRANDON EvERAGE2002 All-American
JAMMAL BROWN2003 All-American
DuKE ROBINSON2007 All-American
CuRTIS LOFTON
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NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
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NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
National Award Winners under StoopsYear Player Position
Award2004 Jammal Brown . . . . . . . OT. . . . . . . . . . Outland
Trophy2004 Jason White . . . . . . . . . QB. . . . . . . . . .
Davey O Brien Award2004 Jason White . . . . . . . . . QB. . . . . .
. . . . Unitas Award2004 Jason White . . . . . . . . . QB. . . . .
. . . . . Maxwell Award2003 Tommie Harris . . . . . . . . DT. . . .
. . . . . . Lombardi Award2003 Jason White . . . . . . . . . QB. .
. . . . . . . . Heisman Trophy2003 Teddy Lehman. . . . . . . . .LB
. . . . . . . . . . Butkus Award2003 Derrick Strait . . . . . . . .
. DB. . . . . . . . . . Thorpe Award2003 Teddy Lehman. . . . . . .
. .LB . . . . . . . . . . Bednarik Award2003 Derrick Strait . . . .
. . . . . DB. . . . . . . . . . Nagurski Award2003 Jason White . .
. . . . . . . QB. . . . . . . . . . Davey O Brien Award2001 Roy
Williams . . . . . . . . . DB. . . . . . . . . . Nagurski Award2001
Rocky Calmus. . . . . . . . .LB . . . . . . . . . . Butkus
Award2001 Roy Williams . . . . . . . . . DB. . . . . . . . . .
Thorpe Award2000 Josh Heupel . . . . . . . . . QB. . . . . . . . .
. Walter Camp Trophy2000 J.T. Thatcher . . . . . . . . . RS. . . .
. . . . . . Mosi Tatupu Award
JASON WHITE
Sixteen Winners in Last Eight SeasonsFor many years, college
football has paused at the end of each season to recognize its
finest players. The award names like Heisman, Outland, Thorpe and
Butkus are woven into the fabric of the game as a tribute to the
past and a beacon for the present.
The awards ceremonies attract the greatest names in the game,
and of course, they attract and honor Oklahoma Sooners. The road to
the bright lights, podium and acceptance speech starts with great
talent and hard work, common staples at OU. The Sooner program then
provides the national stage on which players can be seen. The
result has been an impressive collection of hardware.
1952Heisman Trophy Winner
Billy vessels
1969Heisman Trophy Winner
Steve Owens
1978Heisman Trophy Winner
Billy Sims
200Heisman Trophy Winner
Jason White
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1 950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS* * * * *
*
Ou Two for Two with Nagurski & ThorpeOnly one school has
produced the winner of the Nagurski Award (best defensive player)
and Thorpe Award (best defensive back) in the same season. And
Oklahoma has done it twice. Roy Williams was the first to pull off
the double in 2001 and Derrick Strait followed in 2003.
DERRICK STRAIT
5 Outland Trophy Winnersunder Stoops: Jammal Brown4 Heisman
Trophy Winnersunder Stoops: Jason White4 Butkus Award Winnersunder
Stoops: Teddy Lehman, Rocky Calmus Lombardi Award Winnersunder
Stoops: Tommie Harris Thorpe Award Winnersunder Stoops: Derrick
Strait, Roy Williams
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SOONERS IN THE NFLElite Program Prepares Players for Next
LevelThe league. Pro ball. The next level. It is the dream of every
college football player. It is reality for many Oklahoma Sooners.
Few programs in the country attract talent and prepare it to move
on better than Oklahoma. Four Sooners were tabbed in the 2008 NFL
Draft alone, giving Bob Stoops a total of 36 of his former Sooners
drafted into the league.
OU plays pro schemes, has two coaches who had lengthy NFL
careersand employs a rigorous strength and conditioning program
that is so effective that many of those who have gone on to
professional careers come back to Norman in the offseason to
continue their training.
Players with the ability and drive tomake the NFL flourish at
Oklahomaand leave here equipped to playfootball beyond their
college days.
ADRIAN PETERSON
ROy WILL IAMS
SOONERS IN THE NFL
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A.D. -- NFL Rookie of the year, Pro Bowl MvPAdrian Peterson, who
ran for 4,045 yards and 41 touchdowns while earning All-America
honors at Oklahoma, has rapidly become one of the highest profile
players in the National Football League.
The Minnesota Vikings running back was named the NFL Offensive
Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press after rushing for 1,341
yards in 2007. He led the NFC in rushing and was No. 2 among all
NFL backs. He highlighted his season by running for an NFL record
296 yards against San Diego.
Peterson earned a reputation as a big-play back, logging seven
total plays and four rushes of 50 or more yards, both Vikings
records.
And just as he had done at OU, Peterson made a habit of finding
the end zone. With 12 rushing touchdowns, he tied for second in the
NFL.
As most anticipated, it didnt take the Sooner long to adjust to
the pro game. In his very first outing, he rushed for 103 yards and
caught a 60-yard touchdown pass against Atlanta.
At seasons end, Peterson earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and
became just the second rookie running back in the NFL to be so
honored.
The Palestine, Texas, native made national recruiting news when
he chose Oklahoma as his college home. The decision paid big
dividends for Peterson, who was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy as
a freshman. He became a household name while wearing a Sooner
uniform earning cover appearances on both Sports Illustrated and
ESPN the Magazine.
Today, he is another shining example of how so many Oklahoma
players have used the comprehensive platform of the OU program to
springboard to their NFL dream.
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6 Sooners Drafted under StoopsPlayer Position Year TeamCurtis
Lofton Linebacker 2008 FalconsMalcolm Kelly Wide Receiver 2008
RedskinsReggie Smith Defensive Back 2008 49ersAllen Patrick Running
Back 2008 RavensAdrian Peterson Running Back 2007 VikingsRufus
Alexander Linebacker 2007 VikingsC.J. Ah You Defensive End 2007
BillsDavin Joseph Offensive Line 2006 BuccaneersChris Chester
Offensive Line 2006 RavensDusty Dvoracek Defensive Tackle 2006
BearsTravis Wilson Wide Receiver 2006 BrownsClint Ingram Linebacker
2006 JaguarsJ.D. Runnels Fullback 2006 BearsJammal Brown Offensive
Line 2005 SaintsMark Clayton Wide Receiver 2005 RavensBrodney Pool
Safety 2005 BrownsMark Bradley Wide Receiver 2005 BearsDan Cody
Defensive End 2005 RavensBrandon Jones Wide Receiver 2005
TitansAntonio Perkins Defensive Back 2005 BrownsDonte Nicholson
Defensive Back 2005 BuccaneersLance Mitchell Linebacker 2005
CardinalsWes Sims Offensive Line 2005 ChargersTommie Harris
Defensive Tackle 2004 BearsTeddy Lehman Linebacker 2004
LionsDerrick Strait Defensive Back 2004 JetsAndre Woolfolk
Defensive Back 2003 TitansQuentin Griffin Running Back 2003
BroncosJimmy Wilkerson Defensive End 2003 ChiefsTrent Smith Tight
End 2003 RavensRoy Williams Defensive Back 2002 CowboysRocky Calmus
Linebacker 2002 TitansTorrance Marshall Linebacker 2001 PackersJosh
Heupel Quarterback 2001 DolphinsStockar McDougle Offensive Line
2000 LionsWilliam Bartee Defensive Back 2000 Chiefs
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*
They get quality athletes and give them a chance to make plays.
Plus, they do a great job of coaching at Oklahoma. That program has
a tremendous amount of pride. Theyve won a lot of big games. And
that type of atmosphere usually rubs off on the players.- Eric
DeCosta Director of College Scouting, Baltimore Ravens
They do a tremendous job at Oklahoma. Players who come out of
that program are well-equipped from a mental and physical
standpoint. They do a really good job of coaching and Jerry Schmidt
does a wonderful job developing the players.-GilBrandt NFL.com;
Former Director of Player Personnel, Dallas Cowboys
Playing at Oklahoma really prepared me to play in the NFL and to
be versatile because in this league you have to be able to block,
catch, run and block some more. Coming from Oklahoma, you realize
that the world is yours and that you can accomplish anything.- J.D.
Runnels Fullback, Chicago Bears
MARK CLAyTON
TOMMIE HARRIS
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NATIONAL ATTENTION AT OuSooners at Center of College
FootballOklahoma is a household name due to the overwhelming media
attention that hovers around the Sooners. Writers and broadcasters
representing the nations most recognized media outlets regularly
interact with Sooner players and coaches and routinely spend time
in Norman.
And when they cant come to campus, those same observers keep
tabs on OU thanks to extensive television coverage. In 2006, all 14
Oklahoma games appeared on live television, including seven that
were carried nationally or regionally on ABC or TBS. The Sooners
are at the very center of college football and the entire world is
watching.
NATIONAL ATTENTION AT Ou
WEEKLy MEDIA DAy
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817
856
The popularity of the Sooners is evident in the immense amount
of products and apparel purchased by fans. OU ranks eighth in the
nation in sales of licensed merchandise.
0
Over the past eight years, ESPNs popular College Gameday
production has broadcast on site from 17 of Oklahomas games. Thats
an average of more than two games per season.
Sooner football is one of the most popular subjects for SI with
30 cover appearances. Since 2000, Oklahoma players have appeared on
the cover of Sports Illustrated nine times.
More than 38 million people visited SoonerSports.com last year,
making the official web site of the Oklahoma Athletics Department
one of the top collegiate sites in the nation.
The Sooners have played in front of 56 consecutive sellout
crowds at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, including every home
game of Coach Bob Stoops tenure.
96 Over the past five seasons, 96 percent of Oklahomas games
were televised live (90 of 94 games). In fact, 71 consecutive OU
games have been on TV.
PHIL LOADHOLT
Why Oklahoma? J.D. Runnels, Chicago BearsI didnt know where I
was going until I heard Coach Stoops voice on the other end of the
phone There was always a special place in my heart for OU. I was
aware of the winning tradition, national championships and bowl
success that they had and all of the great players they
produced.
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24 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS
2005HOLIDAy BOWL
OKLAHOMA vS. OREGON
2005ORANGE BOWL
OKLAHOMA vS. SOuTHERN CAL
2004SuGAR BOWL
OKLAHOMA vS. LOu IS IANA STATE
200ROSE BOWL
OKLAHOMA vS. WASHINGTON STATE
2002COTTON BOWLOKLAHOMA vS. ARKANSAS
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24 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPSForty-one bowl appearances and 24 bowl
victories have firmly entrenched Oklahoma among the most
tradition-rich schools in America. The Sooners have become
synonymous with postseason play at the highest level.
At a school where the bowl history is laced with games of
historical significance, the last few years have represented
another fabulous roll for the Schooner. Three times in the last
eight seasons, the Sooners have played for the national
championship, five times they have been in BCS bowls and in seven
seasons they played in January games.
OU enjoys favored status among the bowl community, mostly for
its tradition, but also for its fan following. Some 50,000 ventured
to the Rose, Sugar, Orange and Fiesta Bowls over the last few
seasons. Regardless of the location, Sooner fans flock to follow a
bowl tradition that is as fresh as it is historic.
Head coach Bob Stoops has taken all nine of his Oklahoma teams
to bowl games during his tenure in Norman. Of the nine games, three
were National Championship bouts, six were BCS bowl games and seven
were in January.
The Sooners and their fans have enjoyed trips to Phoenix, San
Diego, Miami, Pasadena, New Orleans and Dallas while playing in
some of the most prestigious bowls in college football.
QuEN
TIN
CHAN
Ey
1999INDEPENDENCE BOWL
OKLAHOMA vS. OLE MISS
2001ORANGE BOWL
OKLAHOMA vS. FLORIDA STATE
2007FIESTA BOWL
OKLAHOMA vS. BO ISE STATE
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*
Perennial Bowl PowerThe Sooners have been a mainstay in college
footballs bowl tradition since their first trip to Miami in 1939.
Oklahoma ranks third among all schools in total bowl wins with 24.
OU is one of just seven schools with 40 or more bowl appearances.
The Sooners rank second in bowl winning percentage among those
teams:
41 Bowl Appearances Since 1999 Bowls in Stoops Nine Seasons6 BCS
Bowl Games under Stoops BCS Title Games in Eight years
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Ou-TExAS WEEKEND
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Storied Rivalry at Cotton Bowl in OctoberThe Oklahoma-Texas
game, played each season at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, a location
approximately halfway between the two campuses, is one of the
countrys most spectacular sporting events.
Staged during the State Fair of Texas, the contest is witnessed
by a crowd perfectly defined by color half crimson, half burnt
orange in an atmosphere that is arguably more unique than that
found at any other game. This rivalry is one that marks time and
gives players and fans alike experiences for a lifetime.
Ou-TExAS WEEKENDGOLDEN HAT TROPHy
The Tunnel ExperienceFrom the top of The Tunnel that leads into
the floor of the Cotton Bowl it looks like no big deal. All you can
see is end zone. Then you start running and the world explodes
around you. Your eardrums are pounded by the screams of 75,587
people and the blasts of the modified 12-gauge shotguns that the OU
Ruf/Nek spirit group carries...
You feel the world shake and start to understand why every
Longhorn or Sooner who has taken these steps before you can never
seem to find the exact words necessary to convey what has just
happened.
Youve just run down the tunnel at the OU-Texas game -- generally
regarded as one of the greatest moments a college football player
can experience.
- Mark Wangrin, ESPN.com
THE RED R IvER R IvALRy
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JERMAINE GRESHAM
6 victories in Stoops Nine Games24 Average Margin of victory in
the Six61 Consecutive Sellouts Since 1946
Consecutive Games at Cotton Bowl79
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FOOTBALL TIME IN OKLAHOMA
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FOOTBALL TIME IN OKLAHOMA
Sooners Set to Perform in NormanTo understand a football
Saturday in Norman, one must firstunderstand what the sport means
to Oklahomans. The Soonerswere competing on the gridiron before
this grand land moved from territorial status to statehood. Few
college programs are more ingrained in their surroundings than the
one at OU.
Game day at Oklahoma is about more than 80,000 fans witnessing
one of the most historic and vibrant programs in college football
at one of the games truly great cathedrals.
It is about pride for a great university. Indeed, it is about
pride for an entire state. Game day here represents football and a
whole lot more.
MANuEL JOHNSON
SOONERS TAKE THE F I ELD
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510
456
Although OU just completed a stadium expansion, the facility
operated at 103 percent capacity in 2007 -- fifth best in the
nation. That means no empty seats for games in Norman.
15
The official capacity of Memorial Stadium is 82,112 but OU
averaged 84,858 fans per game last season. That put theSooners at
No. 10 in the nation in average attendance.
Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is the 15th largest
stadium in the country.
Since the stadiums opening in 1923, the Sooners have34
undefeated seasons at home, including six perfecthome seasons under
head coach Bob Stoops.
The Sooners have played in front of 56 consecutivesellout crowds
in Norman, every homegame of Bob Stoops tenure.
80 Oklahoma has won 80 percent of its home games at Memorial
Stadium. Since the facilitys opening in 1923, the Sooners are
338-80-14 at home.MEMORIAL STADIuM
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Ou FOOTBALL FACILITIES
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The ceiling inside the Everest Training Facility hangs a full 65
feet above the SafePlay Synthetic Turf surface. This allows for all
kicking and throwing drills during practice.
74
Ou FOOTBALL FACILITIESPreparation Meets OpportunityIt would be
hard to imagine a football program doing more over the last six
years to enhance its facilities than OU. The $70 million expansion
and enhancement of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is
perhaps the most noticeable upgrade, but it is simply the lead
project in a plan that has impacted every facet of Sooner
football.
A new locker room, a new indoor training facility, a new weight
training facility, a new practice field, roughly 8,000 new seats
and 60 new stadium suites are testaments to OUs dedication to
providing the best for its student-athletes. Preparation routinely
meets opportunity at Oklahoma. It does so largely because the
Sooners have what they need to succeed.
Oklahoma recently completed a $70 million stadium expansion and
enhancement project that added nearly 9,500 seats.
On those rare days that the weather forces Oklahoma to practice
indoors, the Sooners can move to the 74,000-square-foot Everest
Indoor Training Facility.
JOHN WILL IAMS
OKLAHOMA LOCKER ROOM
4 Four regulation-size practice fields are available to the
Sooners right outside their locker room: Owen Field, two grass
fields plus an artificial turf field with sand pit.
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EvEREST CENTER
BARRy SWITZER
The Barry Switzer CenterLocated at the south end of the Gaylord
Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium,the Switzer Center houses
football offices, the football locker room, equipment room,the
13,000-square-foot Siegfried Strength and Conditioning Complex, the
8,000-square-foot Freede Sports Medicine Facility and the
7,000-square-footTouchdown Club Legends Lobby.
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SOONER POWER
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Jerry Schmidt has coached with teams that played in five
national championship games. He has three national title rings from
Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Florida.4
6
Schmidt has worked with four Heisman winners, including Jason
White (Oklahoma), Danny Wuerffel (Florida), Barry Sanders (Oklahoma
State) and Tim Brown (Notre Dame).
During Schmidts tenure in Norman 36 Sooners have been selected
in the NFL Draft including eight first-round picks, 2007 NFL Rookie
of the Year, Adrian Peterson, the latest.
8 No. 38 for the Dallas Cowboys and former Sooner standout, Roy
Williams, donated $100,000 to establish a new weight room in
Oklahomas Everest Training Facility.
24 Schmidt has coached 24 NFL first-round picks including OUs
Adrian Peterson, Davin Joseph, Jammal Brown, Mark Clayton, Tommie
Harris, Andre Woolfolk and Roy Williams.
SOONER POWERChampionship Strength & ConditioningThe best
testimony for the impact Jerry Schmidt and his staff have on
Oklahoma football players comes from former Oklahoma players --
thosein professional football. Its not uncommon for members of that
select fraternity to return to Norman for part of their offseason
training regimen. During their time in the Sooner program, they
learned the quality of the strength and conditioning program.
Schmidt has been involved with three national football
championships at three different schools. His success is no
coincidence. Now in his 10th year at OU, he is recognized
nationally as one of the best in the business, and the
athleticsdepartment has surrounded him with facilities that give
Sooner student-athletes the best opportunity to excel.
COACH JERRy SCHMIDT
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The Best in the BusinessJerry Schmidt is Oklahomas Director of
Sports Enhancement. He worked under Tom Osborne atNebraska, Lou
Holtz at Notre Dame and Steve Spurrier at Florida, where he became
buddies with the Gators then-defensive coordinator, Bob Stoops.
Schmidt made sure that Stoops players were big and fast.
Insiders will tell you hes probably the best in the business.The
Sooners have played for three national titles since 2000.
Almost to a man, the Sooners looked like they were cut out of
marble. There were no guts hanging over belts. Therewere no skinny
arms or pear-shaped frames. They wereas soft as petrified trees.
These guys looked likewell-conditioned athletes.
- Ted Miller, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2005
SOONER STRENGTH
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ExPLOSIvE OFFENSEExPLOSIvE OFFENSEBig Names, Big ResultsPass
oriented? You could make that case. Numerous records for both
passing and receiving have fallen over the last few years.
Run oriented? Maybe. After all, the single season rushing mark
was set in 2004. Well, which is it, passing or running?
At Oklahoma, the answer is both. While most schools dream of
balance, OU is balance. In 2007, the Sooners passed for 3,615
yards. They rushed for 2,670.
And that balance creates opportunity for some of the best-known
names in all of college football. It is common to see the ball in
the hands of 10-15 players during a game. Many stay involved to the
detrimentof none.
Under Coach Stoops, the Oklahoma offense, with its pro influence
and varied formations, has produced:
QB Two All-Americans, three Heisman finalists, one Heisman
Trophy winner and OUs record holders in game, season and career
passing yards.One Heisman finalist, one All-American, five
1,000-yard rushers, Oklahomas single season rushing yards record
holder and OUs No. 2 and No. 3 career rushers.
Two All-Americans, one Biletnikoff Award finalist and OUs record
holders in game, season and career receptions, receiving yards and
touchdown receptions.
One Mackey Award finalist and Oklahomas record holder in
touchdown receptions in a game (tied).
Four All-Americans, one Outland Trophy winner and two Rimington
Award finalists.
RBWRTEOL
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SAM BRADFORD
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DEMARCO MuRRAy
119 Oklahoma has scored a touchdown in 119 consecutive games, a
streak that dates back to Nov. 7, 1998.6 Oklahoma has averaged 36
points per game under Stoops.25 The big-play Sooners have 123
scoring plays of 25 yards or longer since Stoops became the head
coach.16 Sixteen different Sooner players logged a pass reception
during the 2007 season.9 Oklahoma has produced an All-Big 12
offensive lineman in each of the last nine seasons.4 Four different
Oklahoma running backs exceeded 100 rushing yards in a game the
last two seasons.
SEASON REvIEWHISTORy
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JuAQuIN IGLES IASOu Outscores College FootballEntering the 2008
season, Oklahoma has outscored every program in the nation by more
than 400 points. With 29,772 points, the Sooners are just 228
points, or 19.0 per regular season game, from reaching 30,000.
Since Bob Stoops arrival, Oklahoma has collected a total of
4,289 points. That averages to 476.56 points per season and 41.24
per game.
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DOMINATING DEFENSEDOMINATING DEFENSEAttacking Defense Built on
SpeedOklahomas defense suffers from a bit of an identity
crisis.
With a takeaway in 107 of Bob Stoops 119 games and 30
interception or fumble returns for touchdowns during this coachs
tenure, the defense has a reputation of, well, being a little
offensive.
The Sooners attack-style defense, long appreciated for its speed
and aggressive attitude, is perhaps best known for its consistency.
OU has ranked among the top 16 teams in the nation in total defense
for seven of the last eight years.
Outstanding players have dominated the landscape. Twice in the
last eight years, a Sooner has been named the best defensive player
in the nation.
NIC HARRIS 908001794
Oklahoma has forced at least one turnover in 107 of 119 games
(90 percent) over the last nine seasons.
The Sooner defense has at least one interception in 80 of 107
games (75 percent) over the last eight years.
Sooner defenders have scored 30 touchdowns, an average of three
per year, since Bob Stoops took over at Oklahoma.
Since Bob Stoops arrived in 1999, the Oklahoma defense has
surrendered an average of just 17 points per game.
The Oklahoma defense has registered nine shutouts under
Stoops.
OUs defense allowed less than 100 rushing yards per game in four
of the last seven seasons.
AuSTON ENGL ISH
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DE Three Hendricks Award finalists, one Lott Award finalist and
one All-American.One Lombardi Award winner, two Lombardi Award
finalists, one Nagurski Award finalist and two All-Americans.
Two Butkus Award winners, four Butkus Award finalists, one
Lombardi Award finalist, one Nagurski Award finalist, one ABC
Defensive Player of the Year and five All-Americans.
Two Nagurski Award winners, two Thorpe Award winners and four
All-Americans.
DTLBDB
GERALD MCCOy
Oklahoma Defense under Stoops
DEMARCuS GRANGER
Opponent Scoring AverageLast Five Seasons Under Stoops
Five Seasons Prior to Stoops
27.08
18.59
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RyAN REyNOLDS
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SOONER SPECIAL TEAMS
K Two Lou Groza Award finalists.One All-American and one Ray Guy
Award finalist.
Two All-Americans and one Mosi Tatupu Award winner.
PRS
A strong case can be made that no program has played better on
its special teams in recent years than Oklahoma. Time and again,
the Sooners have blown games wide open with electric and innovative
special teams play.
Bob Stoops commitment to special teams performance is evidenced
by the number of first-team players that participate on those
units. The wisdom of that move, and the programs overall devotion
to special teams play, is found in the staggering numbers that
relate to every possible facet of the kicking and return games.
SOONER SPECIAL TEAMS
MIK
E KN
ALL
Ou Special Teams under Stoops
JuAQ
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Why Oklahoma? Dusty Dvoracek, Chicago BearsThe coaching staff
impressed me more than any other I dealt with during the recruiting
process. They really meant what they said. The best players really
do get to play, no matter what. Thats how you win championships.
And the fans here are great. They root for us, but they care about
us as people.
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49 In 2007, Juaquin Iglesias set the Sooner single-season kick
return yards mark with 826 yards. The senior needs just 49 return
yards in 2008 to break the career mark.26
8
The Sooners have 26 special teams touchdowns under their current
head coach. Fourteen of those came on punt returns by five
different players.
Antonio Perkins tied an NCAA record during his career at
Oklahoma (2001-04) with eight punt returns for touchdowns. He had
three against UCLA in 2003.
DOMINIQuE FRANKS
4 Oklahoma special teams have converted on four scoring plays
(three touchdowns and one two-point conversion) off faked kicks
since 1999.
22 Oklahoma has blocked 22 kicks since head coach Bob Stoops
arrived in Norman in 1999.
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