American college football season
1979 Oklahoma Sooners football Conference Big 8 Conference Coaches No. 3 AP No. 3 1979 record 11–1 (7–0 Big 8) Head coach Barry Switzer (7th season)Offensive coordinator Galen Hall (7th season)Offensive scheme Wishbone Defensive coordinator Rex Norris (2nd season)Base defense 5–2 Home stadium Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 71,187)Seasons
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] head coach Barry Switzer who took the helm in 1973.[2] [3] [2]
The team was led by All-Americans Billy Sims and George Cumby .[4] [5] 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] [3] 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] 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 [ ] Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 15 Iowa * No. 3 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK W 21–672,531[10] September 22 Tulsa * No. 3 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK W 49–1372,451[10] September 29 at Rice * No. 3 W 63–2130,442[10] October 6 Colorado No. 3 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK W 49–2472,512[10] October 13 vs. No. 4 Texas * No. 3 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX (Red River Shootout )ABC L 7–1672,032[10] October 20 at Kansas State No. 8 W 38–627,257[10] October 27 Iowa State No. 7 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK W 38–972,069[10] November 3 at Oklahoma State No. 7 Lewis Field Stillwater, OK (Bedlam Series )W 38–751,453[10] November 10 Kansas No. 6 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK W 38–071,882[10] November 17 at Missouri No. 7 W 24–2269,973[10] November 24 No. 3 Nebraska No. 8 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK (rivalry ) ABC W 17–1472,516[10] January 1, 1980 vs. No. 4 Florida State No. 5 NBC W 24–766,714[10] *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Personnel [ ]
1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
OG
75
Terry Crouch So
HB
11
Fred Nixon Sr
HB
22
David Overstreet Jr
WR
24
Steve Rhodes Sr
HB
20
Billy Sims Sr
C
73
Paul Tabor Sr
QB
1
J.C. Watts Jr
Defense
LB
28
George Cumby Sr
DT
92
Keith Gary Jr
DE
72
John Goodman Sr
S
33
Bud Hebert Sr
DE
83
Mike Joyce Sr
S
3
Darrol Ray Sr
DT
96
Richard Turner Jr
Special teams
K
John Hoge
K
Mike Keeling Fr
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) IneligibleRoster
Season summary [ ] Iowa [ ]
Iowa Hawkeyes at #3 Oklahoma Sooners
1
2
3 4 Total
Iowa 6
0
0 0 6
Oklahoma 0
7
0 14 21
at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium , Norman, Oklahoma
Date : September 15Game attendance : 72,531[11]
show
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
'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)
1
2
3 4 Total
Tulsa 0
3
10 0 13
Oklahoma 21
7
0 21 49
at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium , Norman, Oklahoma
Date : September 22Game attendance : 72,451
at Rice [ ]
#3 Oklahoma Sooners (2–0) at Rice Owls (1–2)
1
2
3 4 Total
Oklahoma 21
21
14 7 63
Rice 0
0
0 21 21
at Rice Stadium , Houston, Texas
Date : September 29Game attendance : 30,442
Colorado [ ]
Colorado Buffaloes (1–3) at #3 Oklahoma Sooners (3–0)
1
2
3 4 Total
Colorado 7
0
3 14 24
Oklahoma 7
28
7 7 49
at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium , Norman, Oklahoma
Date : October 6Game attendance : 72,512[12]
show
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 [ ] See also: Red River Rivalry
#3 Oklahoma Sooners (4–0) vs. #4 Texas Longhorns (3–0)
1
2
3 4 Total
Oklahoma
7
0
0 0 7
Texas 3
7
0 6 16
at Cotton Bowl , Dallas, Texas
Date : October 13Game attendance : 72,032
at Kansas State [ ]
#8 Oklahoma Sooners (4–1) at Kansas State Wildcats
at KSU Stadium , Manhattan, Kansas
Date : October 20Game attendance : 27,757[13]
show
First quarter
OU – Mike Keeling 38-yard field goal. Oklahoma 3–0. Drive: Second quarter
KSU – Black 1-yard run (kick failed). Oklahoma 7–6. Drive:
OU – J.C. Watts 1-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 14–6. Drive: Third quarter
OU – J.C. Watts 18-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 21–6. Drive: Fourth quarter
OU – Billy Sims 5-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 28–6. Drive:
OU – Phelps 14-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 35–6. Drive:
OU – Phelps 36-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 42–6. Drive:
Top passers Top rushers OU – J.C. Watts – 118 yards, 2 TD
KSU – Top receivers
Iowa State [ ]
Iowa State Cyclones at #7 Oklahoma Sooners (5–1)
1
2
3 4 Total
Iowa State 0
0
0 9 9
Oklahoma 7
10
14 7 38
at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium , Norman, Oklahoma
Date : October 27Game attendance : 72,069
at Oklahoma State (Bedlam Series) [ ] See also: Bedlam Series
#7 Oklahoma Sooners (6–1) at Oklahoma State Cowboys
at Lewis Field , Stillwater, Oklahoma
Date : November 3Game attendance : 51,453[14]
show
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)
1
2
3 4 Total
Kansas 0
0
0 0 0
Oklahoma 3
7
7 21 38
at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium , Norman, Oklahoma
Date : November 10Game attendance : 71,882
at Missouri [ ]
#7 Oklahoma Sooners (8–1) at Missouri Tigers
1
2
3 4 Total
Oklahoma 7
0
14 3 24
Missouri 3
6
7 6 22
at Faurot Field , Columbia, Missouri
Date : November 17Game weather : 66 °F (19 °C)Game attendance : 69,973Box Score
Oklahoma's 100th win of the 1970s (Alabama only other school to do so) [15] Nebraska [ ]
#3 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #8 Oklahoma Sooners (9–1)
1
2
3 4 Total
Nebraska
0
7
0 7 14
Oklahoma 0
3
7 7 17
at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium , Norman, Oklahoma
Date : November 24Game attendance : 71,180
show
First quarter
Second quarter
OU – Mike Keeling 31-yard field goal. Oklahoma 3–0. Drive:
NEB – Jarvis Redwine 11-yard pass from Jeff Quinn (Dean Sukup kick). Nebraska 7–3. Drive: Third quarter
OU – Forrest Valora 58-yard pass from J.C. Watts (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 10–7. Drive: Fourth quarter
OU – J.C. Watts 3-yard run (Mike Keeling kick). Oklahoma 17–7. Drive:
NEB – Randy Schleusaner 15-yard run (Dean Sukup kick). Oklahoma 17–14. Drive:
Top passers Top rushers NEB
OU – Billy Sims – 28 rushes, 247 yards Top receivers
[16] [17]
Orange Bowl (vs Florida State) [ ]
Orange Bowl: #4 Florida State Seminoles (11–0) vs. #5 Oklahoma Sooners (10–1)
at Orange Bowl , Miami, Florida
Date : Game attendance : 66,714
Awards and honors [ ] All-American : Billy Sims ,[4] George Cumby ,[5] Big 8 rushing champion: Sims[4]
NCAA DI scoring champion: Sims[4]
Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year: Cumby[5] 1980 NFL Draft [ ] The following players were drafted into the National Football League following the season.[18]
Player
Position
Round
Pick
Franchise
Billy Sims RB
1
1
Detroit Lions
George Cumby LB
1
26
Green Bay Packers
Darrol Ray S
2
40
New York Jets
John Goodman DE
2
56
Pittsburgh Steelers
Fred Nixon WR
4
87
Green Bay Packers
Paul Tabor C
5
130
Chicago Bears
Darry Hebert
DB
5
179
New York Giants
Barry Burdet
LB
9
235
New England Patriots
Mike Babb
DB
11
284
Atlanta Falcons
References [ ]
^ "Memorial Stadium" . CBS Interactive . Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010 .^ Jump up to: a b "OU Football Tradition – 42 Conference Titles" . CBS Interactive . Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010 .^ Jump up to: a b c "1979 Football Season" . SoonerStats.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010 .^ Jump up to: a b c d "All-American: Billy Sims" . CBS Interactive . Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010 .^ Jump up to: a b c "All-American: George Cumby" . CBS Interactive . Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010 .^ "Sooners Spoil Seminole Uprising" . Orange Bowl Committee. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010 .^ "2009 Division I Football Records Book: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Records" (PDF) . National Collegiate Athletic Association . p. 47. Retrieved July 9, 2010 .^ "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF) . Big 12 Conference. p. 175. Retrieved June 30, 2010 .^ "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF) . Big 12 Conference. p. 166. Retrieved June 30, 2010 .^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l http://www.soonerstats.com/football/seasons/schedule.cfm?seasonid=1979 ^ "Sluggish Oklahoma Downs Iowa." September 16, 1979
^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 October 7.
^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Oct 21. Retrieved 2018-Oct-28.
^ Palm Beach Post. 1979 Nov 4.
^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 18.
^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 25.
^ DataOmaha.com Archived October 19, 2020, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 2020-Dec-06.^ "1980 NFL Draft Listing" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
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