2008 ou football guide

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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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* * * * * *1950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS

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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

2008 OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL GuIDE

* * * * * *1950 1955 1956 1974 1975 1985 2000 NAT IONAL CHAMPIONS



2008 SEASONBOOM

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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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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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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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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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SWIT

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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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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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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


Steve Owens


Billy Sims


Jason White

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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

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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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6570

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.

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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.



2008 SEASONBOOM

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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

5



2008 SEASONBOOM

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RyAN REyNOLDS

6


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64

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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

uIN

IGLE

SIAS

6


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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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2008 SEASONBOOM

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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.

7



2008 SEASONBOOM

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8


7 NA

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2008 ou football guide

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