1984 Oklahoma Sooners football team

1984 Oklahoma Sooners football
Big 8 co-champion
Orange Bowl, L 17–28 vs. Washington
Conference	Big Eight Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 6
AP	No. 6
Record	9–2–1 (6–1 Big 8)
Head coach	Barry Switzer (12th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mack Brown (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Wishbone
Defensive coordinator	Gary Gibbs (4th season)
Base defense	5–2
Captains	Danny Bradley Tony Casillas Chuck Thomas
Home stadium	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Seasons ←  1983 1985  →

1984 Big Eight Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 4 Nebraska +	6	–	1	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
No. 6 Oklahoma +	6	–	1	–	0			9	–	2	–	1
No. 7 Oklahoma State	5	–	2	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
Kansas	4	–	3	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Missouri	2	–	4	–	1			3	–	7	–	1
Kansas State	2	–	4	–	1			3	–	7	–	1
Colorado	1	–	6	–	0			1	–	10	–	0
Iowa State	0	–	5	–	2			2	–	7	–	2
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

The 1984 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1984 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 a 9–2–1 overall record and a 6–1 conference record to earn a share of the Conference title under head coach Barry Switzer who took the helm in 1973. ^{[2] [3]} This was Switzer's ninth conference title in twelve seasons. ^[2]

The team was led by All-American Tony Casillas, ^[4] After winning a share of conference title, it earned a trip to the Orange Bowl for an appearance against the Washington Huskies. ^[3] During the season, it faced five ranked opponents (In order, #17 Pitt, #1 Texas, #1 Nebraska, #3 Oklahoma State and #4 Washington). The last three of these opponents finished the season ranked in the top 10. It endured a tie against Texas in the Red River Shootout, a loss against a 2–5 Kansas Jayhawks team and a bowl game loss to Washington. ^[3]

Lydell Carr led the team in rushing with 688 yards, Danny Bradley led the team in passing with 1095 yards, Derrick Shepard led the team in receiving with 392 yards, Placekicker Tim Lashar led the team in scoring with 68 points, Casillas had 10 quarterback sacks, freshman Brian Bosworth led the team with 133 tackles and Gary Lowell posted 4 interceptions. ^[5] The defense set a school record that would only be eclipsed by the 1986 team when it allowed only 2.2 yards per rush over the course of the season. ^[6]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 8	1:30 p.m.	Stanford *	No. 16	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK	USA	W 19–7	73,417	[7]
September 15	2:30 p.m.	at No. 17 Pittsburgh *	No. 15	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA	ABC	W 42–10	40,075	[8]
September 22	1:30 p.m.	Baylor *	No. 11	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK		W 34–15	75,018	[9]
September 29	1:30 p.m.	Kansas State	No. 7	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK		W 24–6	72,017	[10]
October 13	2:30 p.m.	vs. No. 1 Texas *	No. 3	Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX (Red River Shootout)	ABC	T 15–15	75,587	[11]
October 20	6:30 p.m.	at Iowa State	No. 2	Cyclone Stadium Ames, IA	ESPN	W 12–10	48,509	[12]
October 27	1:30 p.m.	at Kansas	No. 2	Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS		L 11–28	27,460	[13]
November 3	11:30 a.m.	Missouri	No. 10	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK (rivalry)	USA	W 49–7	75,357	[14]
November 10	2:30 p.m.	at Colorado	No. 9	Folsom Field Boulder, CO		W 42–17	34,673	[15]
November 17	2:30 p.m.	at No. 1 Nebraska	No. 6	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE (rivalry)	ABC	W 17–7	76,323	[16]
November 24	2:30 p.m.	No. 3 Oklahoma State	No. 2	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK (Bedlam Series)	ABC	W 24–14	76,198	[17]
January 1, 1985	7:00 p.m.	vs. No. 4 Washington *	No. 2	Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL (Orange Bowl)	NBC	L 17–28	56,294	[18]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time Source: [19]

Personnel

1984 Oklahoma Sooners football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 18 Troy Aikman Fr QB Danny Bradley OL Brent Burks RB Lydell Carr QB Mike Clopton RB Patrick Collins OL Dave Dillingham TE Keith Jackson RB Earl Johnson RB Jerome Ledbetter OL Jeff Pickett OL Eric Pope WR Buster Rhymes RB Steve Sewell WR Derrick Shepard RB Damon Stell OL Chuck Thomas RB Spencer Tillman RB Darrell Weddington	Defense Pos. # Name Class LB Brian Bosworth Fr DB Sonny Brown DL Steve Bryan DT Tony Casillas DB Rickey Dixon DL Tommy Flemmons DB Brian Hall DB Andre Johnson DL Troy Johnson LB Dante Jones LB Paul Migliazzo DB Tony Rayburn DL Darrell Reed DL Richard Reed DB Jim Rockford DB Keith Stanberry DL Jeff Tupper	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K Tim Lashar	Head coach Barry Switzer Coordinators/assistant coaches Mack Brown (OC) Gary Gibbs (DC) Merv Johnson (OL) Charlie Sadler (DL) Lucious Selmon (OLB & DE) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Game summaries

Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total Stanford 7 0 0 0 7 • Oklahoma 7 6 6 0 19 Date: September 8 Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Game attendance: 73,417

^[20]

Pittsburgh

1 2 3 4 Total • Oklahoma 0 21 0 21 42 Pittsburgh 3 0 7 0 10 Date: September 15 Location: Pitt Stadium Game attendance: 40,075

^[21]

Baylor

1 2 3 4 Total Baylor 0 7 0 8 15 • Oklahoma 7 10 17 0 34 Date: September 22 Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Game attendance: 75,018

^[22]

Kansas State

1 2 3 4 Total Kansas St 3 0 3 0 6 • Oklahoma 0 7 7 10 24 Date: September 29 Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Game attendance: 72,017

^[23]

Texas

1 2 3 4 Total Texas 7 3 0 5 15 Oklahoma 0 0 15 0 15 Date: October 13 Location: Cotton Bowl Game start: 2:50 p.m. CDT Game attendance: 75,587 Game weather: Rain TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles

^[24]

Iowa State

1 2 3 4 Total • Oklahoma 3 0 0 9 12 Iowa St 0 7 0 3 10 Date: October 20 Location: Cyclone Stadium

^[25]

Kansas

1 2 3 4 Total Oklahoma 3 0 0 8 11 • Kansas 0 10 3 15 28 Date: October 27 Location: Memorial Stadium Game attendance: 27,460

^[26]

Missouri

1 2 3 4 Total Missouri 0 0 0 7 7 • Oklahoma 7 21 14 7 49 Date: November 3 Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Game attendance: 75,357

^[27]

Colorado

1 2 3 4 Total • Oklahoma 7 21 7 7 42 Colorado 0 10 0 7 17 Date: November 10 Location: Folsom Field Game attendance: 34,673

^[28]

Nebraska

#6 Oklahoma at #1 Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total • Oklahoma 7 0 0 10 17 Nebraska 0 7 0 0 7 Date: November 17 Location: Memorial Stadium Game attendance: 76,323 Referee: Vance Carlson Television network: ABC

Scoring summary Q1 OKLA Bradley 1 yard run (Lashar kick) OKLA 7–0 Q2 NEB J. Smith 1 yard run (Klein kick) Tie 7–7 Q4 OKLA Lashar 32 yard field goal OKLA 10–7 Q4 OKLA Bradley 29 yard run (Lashar kick) OKLA 17–7

^[29]

Oklahoma State

#3 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9–1) vs. #2 Oklahoma Sooners (8–1–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oklahoma St	0	7	7	0	14
Oklahoma	0	7	10	7	24

at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

• Date: November 24
• Game attendance: 76,198
• TV: ABC
• Box

Game information

First quarter No scoring Second quarter OU – Keith Jackson 6-yard pass from Danny Bradley (Tim Lashar kick). Oklahoma 7–0. OSU – Jamie Harris 1-yard pass from Rusty Hilger (Larry Roach kick). Tie 7–7. Third quarter OSU – Malcolm Lewis 77-yard pass from Hilger (Larry Roach kick). Oklahoma St 14–7. OU – Spencer Tillman 3-yard run (Tim Lashar kick). Tie 14–14. OU – Tim Lashar 22-yard field goal. Oklahoma 17–14. Fourth quarter OU – Spencer Tillman 20-yard run (Tim Lashar kick). Oklahoma 24–14. Top passers OSU – Rusty Hilger – 14/26, 202 yards, 2 TD, INT OU – Danny Bradley – 8/16, 102 yards, TD, INT Top rushers OSU – Thurman Thomas – 11 rushes, 29 yards OU – Spencer Tillman – 30 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TD Top receivers OSU – Malcolm Lewis – 3 receptions, 94 yards, TD OU – Derrick Shepard – 5 receptions, 51 yards

^[30]

Orange Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total • Washington 14 0 0 14 28 Oklahoma 0 14 0 3 17 Date: January 1 Location: Orange Bowl Game start: 8:20 p.m. EST Game attendance: 56,294 Referee: Jimmy Harper (SEC) TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy

Main article: 1985 Orange Bowl

See also: 1984 Washington Huskies football team

^[31]

Rankings

See also: 1984 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	16	16	15	11	7	5 (1)	3 (1)	2 (10)	2 (7)	10	9	6	2 (7)	2 (18)	2 (16)	6
Coaches Poll	11	10	12	3	4	3	2 (1)	2 (3)	3 (2)	12	9	6	3 (2)	2 (10)	2 (8)	6

Awards and honors

• All-American: Tony Casillas, ^[4]
• Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year: Casillas ^[4]
• UPI National Lineman of the Year: Casillas ^[4]
• Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year: Danny Bradley
• Big Eight Conference MVP: Danny Bradley

Postseason

NFL draft

The following players were drafted into the National Football League following the season. ^[32]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Team
1	26	Steve Sewell	Running back	Denver Broncos
4	85	Buster Rhymes	Wide receiver	Minnesota Vikings
7	189	Danny Bradley	Running back	Los Angeles Rams
8	199	Chuck Thomas	Center	Houston Oilers
12	316	Jim Rockford	Defensive back	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

References

1. "Memorial Stadium". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
2. "OU Football Tradition – 42 Conference Titles". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
3. "1984 Football Season". SoonerStats.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
4. "All-American: Tony Casillas". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
5. "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. p. 175. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
6. "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. p. 166. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
7. "Oklahoma wins opener, 19–7, over Stanford". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 9, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
8. "Oklahoma wins with new offense". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 16, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
9. "Sooners fly past Baylor". The Orange Leader. September 23, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
10. "Steve Sewell sparks Sooners to 24–6 win over Kansas St". Wichita Falls Times. September 30, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
11. "Last-second field goal gives Longhorns a tie". The Kilgore News Herald. October 14, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
12. "OU stops laughing, pulls out 12–10 win". Omaha World-Herald. October 21, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
13. "2nd-ranked Oklahoma falls to Kansas, 28–11". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 28, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
14. "Sooners crush Tigers in Powers' worst MU loss". The Press-Leader. November 4, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
15. "OU's big plays send Colorado to 42–17 loss". The Daily Oklahoman. November 11, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
16. "Sooners shuck Huskers, 17–7". Tulsa World. November 18, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
17. "Sooners reach Orange Bowl". Lincoln Journal Star. November 25, 1984. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
18. "Huskies believe title is theirs". The Miami News. January 2, 1985. Retrieved April 12, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
19. "1984 OU Football Season Schedule - SoonerStats - Historical scores, records, and stats for Oklahoma Sooners football, basketball, baseball, and softball".
20. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
21. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Sep-14.
22. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Sep-16.
23. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Sep-16.
24. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
25. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
26. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
27. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
28. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
29. Gainesville Sun. 1984 Nov 18.
30. Gainesville Sun. 1984 Nov 25. Retrieved 2021-Nov-28.
31. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
32. "1985 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.

External links

• 1984 season at SoonerStats.com