1985 Oklahoma Sooners football team
1985 Oklahoma Sooners football | |
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Consensus national champion Big 8 champion Orange Bowl champion | |
Orange Bowl, W 25–10 vs. Penn State | |
Conference | Big Eight Conference |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 1 |
AP | No. 1 |
Record | 11–1 (7–0 Big 8) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Jim Donnan (1st season) |
Offensive scheme | Wishbone |
Defensive coordinator | Gary Gibbs (5th season) |
Base defense | 5–2 |
Captains |
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Home stadium | Oklahoma Memorial Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 1 Oklahoma $ | 7 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 11 Nebraska | 6 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oklahoma State | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iowa State | 3 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas | 2 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas State | 1 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 10 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Missouri | 1 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 10 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AP Poll
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The 1985 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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September 28 | 7:00 p.m. | at TBS | W 13–7 | 62,446[2] | |||
October 5 | 11:30 a.m. | at KSU Stadium | Raycom | W 41–6 | 23,500[2] | ||
October 12 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. No. 17 Texas* | No. 2 | ABC | W 14–7 | 75,587[2] | |
October 19 | 2:30 p.m. | Oklahoma Memorial Stadium | ABC | L 14–27 | 73,102[2] | ||
October 26 | 1:30 p.m. | Iowa State | No. 10 |
| W 59–14 | 70,124[2] | |
November 2 | 1:30 p.m. | Kansas | No. 9 |
| W 48–6 | 74,726[2] | |
November 9 | 11:30 a.m. | at HSE | W 51–6 | 50,321[2] | |||
November 16 | 1:30 p.m. | Colorado | No. 7 |
| W 31–0 | 73,611[2] | |
November 23 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 2 Nebraska | No. 5 |
| ABC | W 27–7 | 75,554[2] |
November 30 | 6:30 p.m. | at No. 17 Lewis Field | ESPN | W 13–0 | 44,000[2] | ||
December 7 | 2:30 p.m. | SMU* | No. 4 |
| ABC | W 35–13 | 72,046[2] |
January 1, 1986 | 7:00 p.m. | vs. No. 1 Penn State* | No. 3 | NBC | W 25–10 | 74,178[2] | |
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Roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive line
Defensive line
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Kickers
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† Starter at position ‡ Team Captain * Injured; did not play in 1985.
Courtesy of Soonerstats.com |
Rankings
Week | |||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
AP | 1 (23) | 1 | 2 (28) | 2 (23) | 2 (21) | 2 (13) | 2 () | 3 (12) | 10 | 9 | 7 (1) | 7 () | 5 (2) | 3 (6) | 4 (5) | 3 (5) | 1 (55) |
Coaches | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 1 (18) | 2 () | 2 (8) | 2 (14) | 2 (14) | 2 (14) | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2 (2) | 2 (2) | 2 (1) | 1 (41) |
Game summaries
After struggling in the
Nothing seemed to indicate otherwise, as the Sooners rolled past
at Minnesota
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OU | MINN | |
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First Downs | 21 | 6 |
Rushing Yards | 64–254 | 25–57 |
Passing | 7–17–0 | 8–20–0 |
Passing Yards | 67 | 121 |
Total Offense | 321 | 178 |
Fumbles Lost | 1 | 0 |
Penalties | 6–35 | 5–35 |
Time of Possession | 40:54 | 19:06 |
at Kansas State
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OU | KSU | |
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First Downs | 30 | 6 |
Rushing Yards | 76–353 | 25–21 |
Passing | 10–14–1 | 13–26–3 |
Passing Yards | 177 | 100 |
Total Offense | 530 | 121 |
Fumbles Lost | 3 | 0 |
Penalties | 10–74 | 7–64 |
Time of Possession | 37:27 | 22:33 |
vs. No. 17 Texas (Red River Shootout)
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The Sooners' offense didn't have a banner day in the 80th edition of the Red River Rivalry although they still rolled up 220 yards rushing and Troy Aikman completed four of nine passes for 67 yards. Lydell Carr led all rushers with 80 yards on 23 carries, and Patrick Collins added 61 yards on four carries. Keith Jackson had 49 yards on his two receptions.
On the game's third play, Oklahoma's All-American nose guard Tony Casillas went down with a sprained right knee. The Oklahoma defense, even without Casillas, manhandled Texas. The Sooners held the Longhorns to just 70 yards in total offense, 17 on the ground for an average of less than half a yard per their 35 carries, and just four first downs. They got into Oklahoma territory only three times, twice to the 49-yard line and once to the 46, and one of those trips was thanks to another fumble. In addition, the Sooners picked off three passes, and Texas was held to no first downs in the second half. Brian Bosworth finished the game with 14 tackles, 11 of them unassisted, and a leaping interception of quarterback Todd Dodge.[7][8]
Texas | OU | |
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First Downs | 4 | 14 |
Rushing Yards | 35–17 | 66–220 |
Passing | 4–15–3 | 4–9–0 |
Passing Yards | 53 | 67 |
Total Offense | 70 | 287 |
Fumbles Lost | 0 | 2 |
Penalties | 5–30 | 3–20 |
Time of Possession | 24:44 | 35:16 |
Miami (FL)
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The third-ranked Sooners (3-0) returned home to play their first game in Norman, hosting unranked
Oklahoma came into the contest with the nation's most aggressive defense (leading to their comparisons to the
Miami had lost their '85 opener to Florida, 35-23, before reeling off four straight wins against unranked opponents. The Hurricanes were the nation's top offensive team, and they were sporting a pro-style passing attack, orchestrated by junior quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who had backed up Bernie Kosar the last time the Hurricanes had won the National Championship. Alonzo Highsmith and Melvin Bratton lined up in the backfield, and the acrobatics of top-flight wide receivers Michael Irvin and Brian Blades helped the team average 36.2 points per game. The Hurricane defense came in after a shutout of Cincinnati, permitting an average of only 16 points per game, featuring junior tackle Jerome Brown and cornerback Bennie Blades.
In front of a sellout crowd of 75,008 at Memorial Stadium, Miami's Jerome Brown broke through and sacked Aikman on the 29-yard line with 9:18 left in the first half and broke his ankle. Aikman, who had been six of eight passing for 131 yards, would be lost for the season.
Testaverde and company took over, scorching the Oklahoma secondary with 270 yards passing and the 'Canes rambled for 105 on the ground. They played mistake-free football and didn't give up any turnovers. Brown led the Miami defensive effort with 16 tackles, a blocked field goal, and the sack on Aikman. And on the other side, pressed into duty as a true freshman, Holieway had rushed for only 57 yards on 17 carries and attempted just six passes.[9][10]
Furious about the loss, both of the game and their starting quarterback, Oklahoma proceeded to go on a rampage, pasting Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri and Colorado by a combined score of 189-26, before playing host to Nebraska in a game that would ultimately decide the Big 8 Championship.
Miami | OU | |
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First Downs | 17 | 20 |
Rushing Yards | 39–105 | 63–211 |
Passing | 17–28–0 | 7–14–1 |
Passing Yards | 270 | 151 |
Total Offense | 375 | 362 |
Fumbles Lost | 0 | 1 |
Penalties | 4–30 | 5–48 |
Time of Possession | 26:57 | 33:03 |
Iowa State
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In freshman Jamelle Holieway's first start at quarterback, the Sooners rolled up 542 yards rushing and 643 yards of total offense in a dominant win over Iowa State.[11][12]
ISU | OU | |
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First Downs | 15 | 25 |
Rushing Yards | 41–122 | 64–542 |
Passing | 15–27–0 | 2–5–0 |
Passing Yards | 128 | 101 |
Total Offense | 250 | 643 |
Fumbles Lost | 1 | 1 |
Penalties | 8–65 | 7–81 |
Time of Possession | 31:21 | 28:39 |
Kansas
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KU | OU | |
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First Downs | 14 | 22 |
Rushing Yards | 40–63 | 58–424 |
Passing | 14–33–3 | 5–8–0 |
Passing Yards | 112 | 101 |
Total Offense | 175 | 525 |
Fumbles Lost | 1 | 3 |
Penalties | 9–69 | 3–30 |
Time of Possession | 33:30 | 26:30 |
at Missouri
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OU | MU | |
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First Downs | 24 | 12 |
Rushing Yards | 66–341 | 37–62 |
Passing | 8–17–1 | 15–25–2 |
Passing Yards | 168 | 157 |
Total Offense | 509 | 219 |
Fumbles Lost | 2 | 4 |
Penalties | 6–38 | 4–35 |
Time of Possession | 32:49 | 27:11 |
Colorado
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CU | OU | |
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First Downs | 6 | 24 |
Rushing Yards | 39–75 | 81–360 |
Passing | 4–12–1 | 3–10–0 |
Passing Yards | 34 | 39 |
Total Offense | 109 | 399 |
Fumbles Lost | 0 | 3 |
Penalties | 5–45 | 3–20 |
Time of Possession | 25:34 | 34:26 |
No. 2 Nebraska
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Nebraska came into Norman ranked second in the nation, with the nation's highest scoring offense with 39.1 points per game and the best rushing attack in the country with 395 yards per game. This high-powered offense was led by fullback Tom Rathman, one of the best in Nebraska history who had rushed for over 800 yards that season. Together with quarterback McCathorn Clayton and junior I-back Doug DuBose, whose 1,115 rushing yards made 1985 his second straight season over 1,000, the Cornhuskers were poised for a national title run. Junior linebacker Marc Munford was the leading tackler for the Huskers for the second straight year and led the defense, together with tackle Jim Skow and defensive back Brian Washington.[16]
The home team struck quickly. On their second possession of the game, Oklahoma was faced with a second down-and-six at its 12, and they ran a tight end reverse. Freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway, starting just his fifth game and in charge of a wishbone that was the third best rushing offense in the land, optioned to the left and gave a reverse handoff to big sophomore tight end Keith Jackson, who raced untouched down the right sideline 88 yards for a touchdown, the sixth longest run in school history.[16]
Tom Osborne was forced to reach into his bag of tricks in the second quarter, as Nebraska executed a perfect double reverse. Clayton flipped the ball to DuBose who headed right, and DuBose handed the ball to wingback Van Sheppard who carried it 52 yards before being brought down inside the Sooner ten. The Oklahoma defense, led by senior nose tackle Tony Casillas and sophomore linebacker Brian Bosworth, did not budge. The Cornhuskers, stifled at the point of attack, were forced to kick a field goal. Sophomore kicker Dale Klein missed a 23-yard field goal attempt and the Huskers were kept off the board after their best offensive series of the game.[16]
In fact, the only time the Huskers would score that day was on defense, and then only as a side note. Freshman backup quarterback Eric Mitchel bobbled a handoff, and Nebraska defensive tackle Chris Spachman caught the Sooner fumble in midair and rambled 76 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown with only 26 seconds left. The Sooners had won 27-7.[16]
The Oklahoma defense was devastating, holding the nation's highest scoring offense without a point. Bosworth had nine tackles, Murphy sacked the quarterback twice, including the stopper on one of the goal line stands, and Casillas was all over the Nebraska backfield. They held the Huskers to just 161 yards on 42 carries, led by Sheppard's 65 yards and with DuBose gaining only 46 on 16 carries. It was the second straight year that the Sooners had held the Huskers to just a touchdown and the first time they had accomplished that feat in back-to-back games in 27 years.[16]
Holieway was spectacular, directing the wishbone as if he were far more experienced than his true freshman status. He was virtually flawless as he rushed for 110 yards on 25 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns. Keith Jackson ran for 136 yards on just three carries and scored once. Together they accounted for 246 yards on the ground, representing more than half the team's 461 total yards. This marked the first time in 11 years that two Sooners had crossed the century mark rushing against the Huskers.[16]
NU | OU | |
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First Downs | 10 | 19 |
Rushing Yards | 42–161 | 70–423 |
Passing | 4–15–3 | 1–4–0 |
Passing Yards | 63 | 38 |
Total Offense | 224 | 461 |
Fumbles Lost | 1 | 2 |
Penalties | 2–20 | 3–13 |
Time of Possession | 25:34 | 34:26 |
At Oklahoma St
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Oklahoma | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
Oklahoma St | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at
- Date: November 30
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
- Game weather: low 20s
- Game attendance: 44,000
- TV: ESPN
- [17]
Game information | ||
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"The Ice Bowl"
Tim Lashar sets Oklahoma single season school field goal record.
SMU
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SMU | OU | |
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First Downs | 14 | 27 |
Rushing Yards | 51–206 | 75–377 |
Passing | 8–15–2 | 3–8–0 |
Passing Yards | 76 | 40 |
Total Offense | 282 | 417 |
Fumbles Lost | 2 | 2 |
Penalties | 5–31 | 3–30 |
Time of Possession | 25:59 | 34:01 |
vs. No. 1 Penn State (Orange Bowl)
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Earlier in the day, UCLA had crushed #4 Iowa 45-28 in the Rose Bowl. SEC champion Tennessee and Miami were playing in the Sugar Bowl, with the Hurricanes allowed an outside shot at the title with a Penn State loss. The Sooners needed either a win combined with a Miami loss or a blowout victory to claim the title during the 1986 Orange Bowl.[21]
On their opening possession, Oklahoma reached into their bag of tricks and a handoff to Keith Jackson was flipped to Anthony Stafford, but linebacker Shane Conlan was ready for it, stuffing the play for a two-yard loss. This set the initial tempo of the game, as the Penn State defense showed itself to be ready for the speedy Sooner wishbone option.[21]
The game was very close, and remained a defensive struggle into the 4th quarter, but Oklahoma proved to be too much for the Lions, particularly after it was announced at the half that Tennessee was pounding Miami to the tune of 28-7 in the Sugar Bowl. The Sooner defense played inspired football, Tim Lashar nailed four critical field goals, Keith Jackson caught a 71-yard bomb from Jamelle Holieway in stride, and Lydell Carr put the nail in the coffin with a brilliant 61-yard touchdown scamper with 1:42 remaining on the clock.[21][22]
The Sooners scored a 25-10 victory over the top team in the land in the 1986 Orange Bowl and the team's sixth National Championship.
PSU | OU | |
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First Downs | 14 | 12 |
Rushing Yards | 36–103 | 52–228 |
Passing | 18–34–4 | 3–6–0 |
Passing Yards | 164 | 91 |
Total Offense | 267 | 319 |
Fumbles Lost | 1 | 1 |
Penalties | 6–49 | 7–45 |
Time of Possession | 31:23 | 28:37 |
Awards and honors
All-Americans
- Brian Bosworth, Linebacker – Irving, Texas
- Tony Casillas, Noseguard – Tulsa, Okla.
- Kevin Murphy, Defensive end – Richardson, Texas
Individual award winners
- Dick Butkus Award
- Tony Casillas – Lombardi Award
Postseason
NFL draft
The following players were drafted into the National Football League following the season.[23]
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Team |
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1 | 2 | Tony Casillas | Defensive tackle | Atlanta Falcons |
2 | 40 | Kevin Murphy | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
5 | 116 | Jeff Tupper | Defensive end | St. Louis Cardinals |
References
- ^ "University of Oklahoma Official 1985 Championship Page". SoonerSports.com. University of Oklahoma Athletic Department. Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "1985 OU Football Season Schedule - SoonerStats - Historical scores, records, and stats for Oklahoma Sooners football, basketball, baseball, and softball".
- ^ "1985 University of Oklahoma Football Schedule". Soonerstats.com. 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2007.
- ^ "Sooners Prevail by 13-7". The New York Times. September 29, 1985. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
- ^ "45-yard run gives No. 2 OU 14-7 win over Texas." Gainesville Sun. October 13, 1985
- The Los Angeles Times. October 13, 1985. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "1985 OU-Texas Game". Soonerstats.com. 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ "MIAMI BEATS SOONERS, 27-14". The New York Times. October 20, 1985. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
- ^ "1985 OU-Miami Game". Soonerstats.com. 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- The Los Angeles Times. October 27, 1985. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
- ^ SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
- ^ SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
- ^ Gainesville Sun. November 17, 1985
- ^ a b c d e f "1985 OU-Nebraska Game". Soonerstats.com. 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1985 Dec 01.
- ^ SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
- ^ "Sooners leave Cowboys cold, 13-0." Eugene Register-Guard. 1985 Dec 01. Retrieved 2020-Nov-22.
- ^ SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
- ^ a b c "1986 Orange Bowl". Soonerstats.com. 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ "1986 Orange Bowl Official Recap". Orangebowl.org. 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.