1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team

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1979 Oklahoma Sooners football
Big 8 champion
Orange Bowl champion
ConferenceBig Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 3
APNo. 3
Record11–1 (7–0 Big 8)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorGalen Hall (7th season)
Offensive schemeWishbone
Defensive coordinatorRex Norris (2nd season)
Base defense5–2
Captains
Home stadiumOklahoma Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1978
1980 →
1979 Big Eight Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 3 Oklahoma $ 7 – 0 – 0 11 – 1 – 0
No. 9 Nebraska 6 – 1 – 0 10 – 2 – 0
Oklahoma State 5 – 2 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Missouri 3 – 4 – 0 7 – 5 – 0
Colorado 2 – 5 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
Iowa State 2 – 5 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
Kansas 2 – 5 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
Kansas State 1 – 6 – 0 3 – 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]

The team was led by

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).

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

DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 15
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
    		• W 21–672,531[10]
    September 22Tulsa*No. 3
    • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
    • Norman, OK
    		W 49–1372,451[10]
    September 29at Rice*No. 3
    		W 63–2130,442[10]
    October 6ColoradoNo. 3
    • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
    • Norman, OK
    		W 49–2472,512[10]
    October 13vs. No. 4 Texas*No. 3
    		ABCL 7–1672,032[10]
    October 20at
    KSU Stadium
  • Manhattan, KS
    		• W 38–627,257[10]
    October 27Iowa StateNo. 7
    • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
    • Norman, OK
    		W 38–972,069[10]
    November 3at
    Lewis Field
  • Stillwater, OK (Bedlam Series)
    		• W 38–751,453[10]
    November 10KansasNo. 6
    • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
    • Norman, OK
    		W 38–071,882[10]
    November 17at MissouriNo. 7
    		W 24–2269,973[10]
    November 24No. 3 NebraskaNo. 8
    • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
    • Norman, OK (rivalry)
    		ABCW 17–1472,516[10]
    January 1, 1980vs. No. 4 Florida State*No. 5
    		NBCW 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
    Pos. # Name Class
    G 75 Terry Crouch Jr
    OT 59 Darrell Irvin Sr
    RB 11 Fred Nixon Sr
    OT 66 Louis Oubre  Jr
    HB 22 David Overstreet Jr
    QB 7 Kelly Phelps So
    SE 24 Steve Rhodes Sr
    RB 20 Billy Sims  Sr
    OT 73 Paul Tabor  Sr
    QB 1 J. C. Watts  Jr
    G 76 Steve Williams So
    RB 32 Stanley Wilson Fr
    RB 40 Chet Winters Fr
    		Defense
    Pos. # Name Class
    DL 36 John Blake Fr
    LB 28 George Cumby  Sr
    DT 92 Keith Gary Jr
    DT 72 John Goodman Sr
    DB 6 Steve Haworth Fr
    S 33 Bud Hebert  Sr
    DE 83 Mike Joyce Sr
    S 3 Darrol Ray Sr
    DE 41 Mike Rilley Jr
    DT 96 Richard Turner Jr
    DE 88 Mike Weddington Fr
    		Special teams
    Pos. # Name Class
    K 9 John Hoge So
    K 99 Mike Keeling Fr
    Head coach
    Coordinators/assistant coaches
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • Injured Injured
    • Redshirt Redshirt

    Roster

    Season summary

    Iowa

    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)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Tulsa 0 3 10013
    Oklahoma 21 7 02149

    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)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Oklahoma 21 21 14763
    Rice 0 0 02121

    at

    Houston, Texas

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

    Colorado

    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

    See also: Red River Rivalry
    #3 Oklahoma Sooners (4–0) vs. #4 Texas Longhorns (3–0)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Oklahoma 7 0 007
    Texas 3 7 0616

    at

    Dallas, Texas

    At Kansas State

    #8 Oklahoma Sooners (4–1) at Kansas State Wildcats
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Oklahoma 3 0 142138
    Kansas State 0 6 006

    at

    KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas
    Game information

    Iowa State

    Iowa State Cyclones at #7 Oklahoma Sooners (5–1)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Iowa State 0 0 099
    Oklahoma 7 10 14738

    at

    Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

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

    At Oklahoma State (Bedlam Series)

    See also: Bedlam Series
    #7 Oklahoma Sooners (6–1) at Oklahoma State Cowboys
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Oklahoma 24 7 7038
    Oklahoma State 0 0 077

    at

    Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma
    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)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Kansas 0 0 000
    Oklahoma 3 7 72138

    at

    Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

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

    At Missouri

    See also: Missouri–Oklahoma football rivalry
    #7 Oklahoma Sooners (8–1) at Missouri Tigers
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Oklahoma 7 0 14324
    Missouri 3 6 7622

    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) [15]

    Nebraska

    #3 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #8 Oklahoma Sooners (9–1)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Nebraska 0 7 0714
    Oklahoma 0 3 7717

    at

    Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma
    Game information

    [16] [17]

    Orange Bowl (vs Florida State)

    Main article: 1980 Orange Bowl
    Orange Bowl: #4 Florida State Seminoles (11–0) vs. #5 Oklahoma Sooners (10–1)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Florida State 7 0 007
    Oklahoma 0 17 0724

    at

    Miami, Florida

    • Date: January 1, 1980
    • Game attendance: 66,714

    Rankings

    See also: 1979 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
    ( ) = First-place votes
    Week
    PollPre12345678910111213Final
    AP
    		3 (4)33333877678553
    Coaches Poll2 (2)3 (3)3333897777453 (1)

    Awards and honors

    NFL Draft

    Main article:
    1980 NFL Draft

    The following players were selected in the National Football League draft following the season.[18][19]

    Sooners who were picked in the 1980 NFL Draft:

    Round Pick Player Position NFL Team
    1 1 Billy Sims Running back Detroit Lions
    1 26 George Cumby Linebacker Green Bay Packers
    2 40 Darrol Ray Safety New York Jets
    2 56 John Goodman Defensive end Pittsburgh Steelers
    4 87 Fred Nixon Wide receiver Green Bay Packers
    5 130 Paul Tabor Center Chicago Bears
    5 179 Darry Hebert Defensive back New York Giants
    9 235 Barry Burdet Linebacker New England Patriots
    11 284 Mike Babb Defensive back Atlanta Falcons

    References

    1. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original
      on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
    2. ^
      CBS Interactive. Archived from the original
      on June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
    3. ^ a b c "1979 Football Season". SoonerStats.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
    4. ^
      CBS Interactive. Archived from the original
      on May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
    5. ^
      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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "1979 OU Football Season Schedule - SoonerStats - Historical scores, records, and stats for Oklahoma Sooners football, basketball, baseball, and softball".
    11. ^ "Sluggish Oklahoma Downs Iowa." September 16, 1979
    12. ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 October 7.
    13. ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Oct 21. Retrieved 2018-Oct-28.
    14. ^ Palm Beach Post. 1979 Nov 4.
    15. ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 18.
    16. ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 25.
    17. ^ DataOmaha.com Archived October 19, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-Dec-06.
    18. ^ "1980 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
    19. ^ "Oklahoma Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
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