1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team

Last updated

1979 Oklahoma Sooners football
Oklahoma Sooners Logo 1979-2000.png
Big 8 champion
Orange Bowl champion
Orange Bowl, W 24–7 vs. Florida State
Conference Big Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 3
APNo. 3
Record11–1 (7–0 Big 8)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Galen Hall (7th season)
Offensive scheme Wishbone
Defensive coordinator Rex Norris (2nd season)
Base defense 5–2
Captains
Home stadium Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Seasons
←  1978
1980  →
1979 Big Eight Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 3 Oklahoma $ 7 –0 –011 –1 –0
No. 9 Nebraska 6 –1 –010 –2 –0
Oklahoma State 5 –2 –07 –4 –0
Missouri 3 –4 –07 –5 –0
Colorado 2 –5 –03 –8 –0
Iowa State 2 –5 –03 –8 –0
Kansas 2 –5 –03 –8 –0
Kansas State 1 –6 –03 –8 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1979 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where it has played its home games since 1923. [1] The team posted an 11–1 overall record and a 7–0 conference record to earn the Conference title outright under head coach Barry Switzer who took the helm in 1973. [2] [3] This was Switzer's seventh conference title and fourth undefeated conference record in seven seasons. [2]

Contents

The team was led by All-Americans Billy Sims and George Cumby. [4] [5] After winning the conference title outright, it earned a trip to the Orange Bowl for a bout with Florida State. During the season, it faced three different ranked opponents (In order, #4 Texas, #3 Nebraska and #4 Florida State). All three of these opponents finished the season ranked. It endured its only defeat of the season against Texas in the Red River Shootout. [3] The Sooners started the season with a four consecutive wins before losing to Texas and then won their remaining seven games. [3] Sims and J.C. Watts both posted for 100-yard games in the Orange Bowl. [6]

Sims led the nation in scoring with 138 points (based on per game average of 12.0, which includes 132 in 11 games). [7] Sims led the team in rushing with 1670 yards, Watts led the team in passing with 821 yards, Freddie Nixon led the team in receiving with 293 yards, Cumby led the team with 160 tackles and Bud Hebert posted 4 interceptions. [8] Billy Sims set numerous Oklahoma offensive records that still stand including career 200-yard games, single-season rushing touchdowns (tied) [9]

Schedule

DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 15 Iowa *No. 3
W 21–672,531 [10]
September 22 Tulsa *No. 3
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
W 49–1372,451 [11]
September 29at Rice *No. 3
W 63–2130,442 [12]
October 6 Colorado No. 3
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
W 49–2472,512 [13]
October 13vs. No. 4 Texas *No. 3
 ABC L 7–1672,032 [14]
October 20at Kansas State No. 8
W 38–627,257 [15]
October 27 Iowa State No. 7
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
W 38–972,069 [16]
November 3at Oklahoma State No. 7
W 38–751,453 [17]
November 10 Kansas No. 6
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
W 38–071,882 [18]
November 17at Missouri No. 7
W 24–2269,973 [19]
November 24No. 3 Nebraska No. 8
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK (rivalry)
ABCW 17–1472,516 [20]
January 1, 1980vs. No. 4 Florida State *No. 5
 NBC W 24–766,714 [21]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[22]

Personnel

1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
G 75 Terry Crouch Jr
OT 59 Darrell Irvin Sr
RB 11 Fred Nixon Sr
OT 66 Louis Oubre Redshirt.svg  Jr
HB 22 David Overstreet Jr
QB 7 Kelly Phelps So
SE 24 Steve Rhodes Sr
RB 20 Billy Sims Redshirt.svg  Sr
OT 73 Paul Tabor Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 1 J. C. Watts Redshirt.svg  Jr
G 76 Steve Williams So
RB 32 Stanley Wilson Fr
RB 40 Chet Winters Fr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DL 36 John Blake Fr
LB 28 George Cumby Redshirt.svg  Sr
DT 92 Keith Gary Jr
DT 72 John Goodman Sr
DB 6 Steve Haworth Fr
S 33 Bud Hebert Redshirt.svg  Sr
DE 83Mike JoyceSr
S 3 Darrol Ray Sr
DE 41 Mike Rilley Jr
DT 96 Richard Turner Jr
DE 88 Mike Weddington Fr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 9John HogeSo
K 99Mike KeelingFr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster

Season summary

Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes at #3 Oklahoma Sooners
Quarter1234Total
Iowa 60006
Oklahoma0701421

at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

  • Date: September 15
  • Game attendance: 72,531
  • [23]
Game information
First quarter
  • IOWA – Dennis Mosley 10-yard pass from Phil Seuss (kick failed). Iowa 6–0. Drive:

Second quarter

  • OU – Billy Sims 1-yard run (John Hoge kick). Oklahoma 7–6. Drive:

Third quarter

  • No scoring

'Fourth quarter

  • OU – Billy Sims 3-yard run (John Hoge kick). Oklahoma 14–6. Drive:
  • OU – J.C. Watts 1-yard run (John Hoge kick). Oklahoma 21–6. Drive:

Tulsa

Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2–1) at #3 Oklahoma Sooners (1–0)
Quarter1234Total
Tulsa 0310013
Oklahoma21702149

at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

  • Date: September 22
  • Game attendance: 72,451

At Rice

#3 Oklahoma Sooners (2–0) at Rice Owls (1–2)
Quarter1234Total
Oklahoma212114763
Rice 0002121

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: September 29
  • Game attendance: 30,442

Colorado

Colorado Buffaloes (1–3) at #3 Oklahoma Sooners (3–0)
Quarter1234Total
Colorado 7031424
Oklahoma7287749

at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

  • Date: October 6
  • Game attendance: 72,512
  • [24]
Game information
First quarter
  • OU – Billy Sims 1-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 7–0. Drive:
  • CU – Solomon 6-yard pass from Pugh (Field kick). Tie 7–7. Drive:

Second quarter

  • OU – J.C. Watts 11-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 14–7. Drive:
  • OU – Billy Sims 1-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 21–7. Drive:
  • OU – David Overstreet 1-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 28–7. Drive:
  • OU – Billy Sims 6-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 35–7. Drive:'

Third quarter

  • CU – Field 41-yard field goal. Oklahoma 35–10. Drive:
  • OU – Billy Sims 1-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 42-10. Drive:

Fourth quarter

  • CU – Davis 11-yard run (Field kick). Oklahoma 42–17. Drive:
  • OU – Winters 28-yard run (Keeling kick). Oklahoma 49–17. Drive:
  • CU – Green 1-yard run (Field kick). Oklahoma 49–24. Drive:

Oklahoma faced its former coach Chuck Fairbanks for the first time since his departure following the 1972 season.

vs Texas

#3 Oklahoma Sooners (4–0) vs. #4 Texas Longhorns (3–0)
Quarter1234Total
Oklahoma70007
Texas 370616

at Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

At Kansas State

#8 Oklahoma Sooners (4–1) at Kansas State Wildcats
Quarter1234Total
Oklahoma30142138
Kansas State 06006

at KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

  • Date: October 20
  • Game attendance: 27,757
  • [25]
Game information

Iowa State

Iowa State Cyclones at #7 Oklahoma Sooners (5–1)
Quarter1234Total
Iowa State 00099
Oklahoma71014738

at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

  • Date: October 27
  • Game attendance: 72,069

At Oklahoma State (Bedlam Series)

#7 Oklahoma Sooners (6–1) at Oklahoma State Cowboys
Quarter1234Total
Oklahoma2477038
Oklahoma State 00077

at Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma

  • Date: November 3
  • Game attendance: 51,453
  • [26]
Game information
First quarter
  • OU – Billy Sims 4-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 7–0. Drive:
  • OU – David Overstreet 72-yard pass from J.C. Watts (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 14–0. Drive:
  • OU – Billy Sims 1-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 21–0. Drive:
  • OU – Mike Keeling 39-yard field goal. Oklahoma 24–0. Drive:

Second quarter

  • OU – Billy Sims 1-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 31–0. Drive:

Third quarter

  • OU – Billy Sims 11-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 38–0. Drive:

Fourth quarter

  • OSU – Sullentrop 2-yard run (Anderson kick). Oklahoma 38–7. Drive:

Kansas

Kansas Jayhawks at #6 Oklahoma Sooners (7–1)
Quarter1234Total
Kansas 00000
Oklahoma3772138

at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

  • Date: November 10
  • Game attendance: 71,882

At Missouri

#7 Oklahoma Sooners (8–1) at Missouri Tigers
Quarter1234Total
Oklahoma7014324
Missouri 367622

at Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri

  • Date: November 17
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,973
  • Box Score
  • Oklahoma's 100th win of the 1970s (Alabama only other school to do so) [27]

Nebraska

#3 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #8 Oklahoma Sooners (9–1)
Quarter1234Total
Nebraska070714
Oklahoma037717

at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

Game information

[28] [29]

Orange Bowl (vs Florida State)

Orange Bowl: #4 Florida State Seminoles (11–0) vs. #5 Oklahoma Sooners (10–1)
Quarter1234Total
Florida State 70007
Oklahoma0170724

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

  • Date: January 1, 1980
  • Game attendance: 66,714
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui, John Brodie, and Bob Trumpy

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
AP 3 (4)33333877678553
Coaches Poll 2 (2)3 (3)3333897777453 (1)

Awards and honors

NFL Draft

The following players were selected in the National Football League draft following the season. [30] [31]

Sooners who were picked in the 1980 NFL Draft:

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Team
11 Billy Sims Running back Detroit Lions
126 George Cumby Linebacker Green Bay Packers
240 Darrol Ray Safety New York Jets
256 John Goodman Defensive end Pittsburgh Steelers
487 Fred Nixon Wide receiver Green Bay Packers
5130 Paul Tabor Center Chicago Bears
5179Darry Hebert Defensive back New York Giants
9235Barry BurdetLinebacker New England Patriots
11284Mike BabbDefensive back Atlanta Falcons

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 1975 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. The team was helmed by Barry Switzer in his third season as head coach. After sailing through their first eight games, Oklahoma suffered a surprising home loss to Kansas, which snapped a 28-game winning streak. With only two regular season games and a bowl trip left, any hopes for a repeat national championship looked slim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Missouri Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.

The 1963 Texas Longhorns football team was an American football team that represented the University of Texas as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. In their seventh year under head coach Darrell Royal, the Longhorns compiled an overall record of 11–0, with a mark of 7–0 in conference play, and finished as SWC champion. Texas concluded their season with a victory over Navy in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

The 1970 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. The team was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Huskers went 11–0–1 to win the first of two consecutive national championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 1977 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. Oklahoma was a member of the Big Eight Conference and played its home games in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where it has played its home games since 1923. The team posted a 10–2 overall record and a 7–0 conference record to earn the Conference title under head coach Barry Switzer who took the helm in 1973. This was Switzer's fifth conference title and third undefeated conference record in five seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 1978 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1978 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where it has played its home games since 1923. The team posted an 11–1 overall record and a 6–1 conference record to earn a share of the conference title under head coach Barry Switzer. This was Switzer's sixth conference title in six seasons since taking the helm in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 1988 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and competed as members of the Big Eight Conference. It was Barry Switzer's final year as head coach of the Sooners.

The 2012 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 118th season of Sooner football. The team was led by two-time Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award winner, Bob Stoops, in his 14th season as head coach. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They were a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 1995 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and competed as members of the Big Eight Conference. They were coached by Howard Schnellenberger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 1982 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and competed as members of the Big Eight Conference. They were coached by head coach Barry Switzer. The Sooners lost to Arizona State 32–21 in the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Arizona.

The 1964 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma as a member of the Big Eight Conference during the 1964 NCAA University Division football season.They Led by were first-year head coach Gomer Jones the Sooner compiled an overall record of 6–4–1 with a mark of 5–1–1 in conference play, placing second in the Big Eight. Oklahoma was invited to the Gator Bowl, where the Sooner lost to Florida State. The team played home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

The 2015 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 121st season of Sooner football. The team was led by two-time Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award winner, Bob Stoops, in his 17th season as head coach. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They were a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

The 2016 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 122nd season of Sooner football. The team was led by head coach Bob Stoops, offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, and defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, as well as such players as Mark Andrews, Orlando Brown, Jordan Evans, Baker Mayfield, Joe Mixon, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Samaje Perine, and Dede Westbrook.

The 2017 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 123rd season of Sooner football. The team was led by Lincoln Riley, who was in his first year as head coach, after the retirement of Bob Stoops in June 2017. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

The 2018 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 124th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. The team is led by Lincoln Riley, who is in his second year as head coach. They play their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 125th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. The team was led by Lincoln Riley, in his third year as head coach. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

The 2020 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 126th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. The team was led by Lincoln Riley, in his fourth year as head coach. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

The 2021 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 127th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. The team was led during the regular season by Lincoln Riley, in his fifth and final year as head coach.

The 2022 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 128th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. 2022 marked the first time the Sooners finished with a losing record since 1998. Despite this, the Sooners continued the streak of participating in a bowl game every season since 1999. They were led by first-year head coach Brent Venables.

The 2023 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 129th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. They were led by second-year head coach Brent Venables. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They were a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

References

  1. ↑ "Memorial Stadium". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  2. 1 2 "OU Football Tradition – 42 Conference Titles". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "1979 Football Season". SoonerStats.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "All-American: Billy Sims". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 "All-American: George Cumby". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Sooners Spoil Seminole Uprising". Orange Bowl Committee. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  7. ↑ "2009 Division I Football Records Book: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Records" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 47. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  8. ↑ "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. p. 175. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  9. ↑ "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. p. 166. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Oklahoma survives scare from Iowa". Springfield Leader and Press. September 16, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Sooners' Julius Caesar conquers Tulsa, 49–13". The Cincinnati Enquirer. September 23, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Sooners clobber Rice". Lincoln Journal Star. September 30, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Oklahoma downs Colorado..." The Grand Island Independent. October 7, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Texas defense stifles Sooners". The Columbian. October 14, 1979. Retrieved October 24, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "OU rallies to dance over K-State". The Kansas City Star. October 21, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Sims crushes Cyclones". The Grand Island Independent. October 28, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Sooners triumph, 38–7". Wisconsin State Journal. November 4, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Oklahoma too much for Kansas". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 11, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Sooners escape Missouri". St. Petersburg Times. November 18, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Oklahoma does it again, spoils NU title hopes, 17–14". Lincoln Journal Star. November 25, 1979. Retrieved October 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Oklahoma ends Florida State's streak". The Palm Beach Post. January 2, 1980. Retrieved October 26, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "1979 OU Football Season Schedule - SoonerStats - Historical scores, records, and stats for Oklahoma Sooners football, basketball, baseball, and softball".
  23. ↑ "Sluggish Oklahoma Downs Iowa." September 16, 1979
  24. ↑ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 October 7.
  25. ↑ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Oct 21. Retrieved 2018-Oct-28.
  26. ↑ Palm Beach Post. 1979 Nov 4.
  27. ↑ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 18.
  28. ↑ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 25.
  29. ↑ DataOmaha.com Archived October 19, 2020, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 2020-Dec-06.
  30. ↑ "1980 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Oklahoma Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.