1972 Oklahoma Sooners football team

American college football season November 2016 February 2026 1972 Oklahoma Sooners football Oklahoma Sooners Logo 1966-79.png Big Eight Conference Big 8 2 2 11–1 6–1 or 3–4 Chuck Fairbanks 6th Barry Switzer 7th Wishbone Larry Lacewell 3rd 5–2 Tom Brahaney Greg Pruitt Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Big 8 co-championSugar Bowl champion Sugar Bowl W 14–0 vs. Penn State The 1972 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. Oklahoma was a member of the Big Eight Conference and played its home games in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where it has played its home games since 1923.http://www.soonersports.com/facilities/memorial-stadium_history.html Memorial Stadium June 30, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100628213311/http://www.soonersports.com/facilities/memorial-stadium_history.html June 28, 2010 dead mdy-all The team posted an 11–1 overall record and were 6–1 in conference, later changed to 8–4 and 3–4.http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-conf-titles.html OU Football Tradition – 42 Conference Titles June 30, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100622232057/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-conf-titles.html June 22, 2010 dead http://www.soonerstats.com/football/seasons/schedule.cfm?SeasonID=1972 1972 Football Season July 2, 2010 SoonerStats.com This was Chuck Fairbanks' last season as Sooner head coach; he left for the New England Patriots of the NFL. The Sooners' 1972 record is marred by the use of an ineligible player. In self-reporting the violations to the NCAA, Oklahoma voluntarily forfeited eight games. OKLAHOMA AGREES TO FORFEIT GAMES Gives Up Eight Victories in Football in Case Involving Player's Altered Record Gordon S. Jr. White https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1973/04/19/99142486.html?pageNumber=57 New York Times 19 April 1973 New York 2019-12-0874 https://books.google.com/books?id=TWm9DwAAQBAJ&q=forfeit Touchdown: An American Obsession Gerald R. Gems Gertrud Pfister Berkshire Publishing Group 2017 9781614728238 2019-12-08The Oklahoma Football Encyclopedia: 2nd Edition Ray Dozier Simon and Schuster 2013 9781613216200 https://books.google.com/books?id=0myCDwAAQBAJ&q=oklahoma+football+1972+ncaa+penalty+forfeit&pg=PT618 The NCAA later penalized the program by reducing scholarships, TV appearances and bowl appearances. In 2008 a blogger for Washington, DC TV station WJLA stated, "The NCAA claims that according to a now-retired statistician of the era, and a review of its database (which the NCAA admits might not be totally complete) that forfeits were NOT part of the NCAA sanctions levied against the Sooners." A commenter stated, "The 1972 forfeits by Oklahoma were sanctioned by The Big Eight. As such Oklahoma's conference record was adjusted, while their overall record was not. In older Oklahoma media guide ... Oklahoma would show their record as 11–1 with a 3–4 conference record (reflecting 3 forfeits, despite the original 7 or 8 forfeited. ...) Also, if you check the media guides of the teams Oklahoma "forfeited" to, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma State, you'll not[e] similar adjustments. Each team didn't change their overall record, but changed their conference record."dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080930213747/http://www.wjla.com/blogs/sports/after_further_review..._the_ncaa_weighs-in_on_bowden_and_paterno.html September 30, 2008 http://www.wjla.com/blogs/sports/after_further_review..._the_ncaa_weighs-in_on_bowden_and_paterno.html After Further Review...The NCAA Weighs In July 2, 2010 January 11, 2008 WJLA/NewsChannel 8 Brant, Tim Oklahoma had used players (including Kerry Jackson, the team's first black quarterback) with falsified transcripts and on April 18, 1973, voluntarily forfeited eight games.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087283/index.htm Oklahoma Penalty: Illegal Procedure: Admitting that Quarterback Kerry Jackson's high school transcript was altered, the Sooners forfeited eight of their 1972 wins July 2, 2010 April 30, 1973 Sports Illustrated Cronley, Jay https://web.archive.org/web/20121102084345/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087283/index.htm November 2, 2012 dead mdy-all Eventually, the Big Eight sanctioned the forfeit of three conference victories (Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma State),http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/36824.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090616153330/http://decaturdaily.com/detail/36824.html dead June 16, 2009 Forfeits, Voids, Vacations Make Mess of Records July 2, 2010 June 13, 2009 Decatur Daily Edwards, Mark but Oklahoma now recognizes these as wins and claims the 1972 conference title.1972 season http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208798543 soonersports.com Sooner Sports Properties November 2, 2013 Oklahoma was led by four All-Americans: Rod Shoate (OU's second three-time All-American), Greg Pruitt, Tom Brahaney and Derland Moore. This was the first season that the Selmon brothers Lucious, Lee Roy and Dewey, all eventual All-Americans,http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-all-americans.html OU Football Tradition – All-Americans July 2, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100628213711/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-all-americans.html June 28, 2010 dead anchored the defensive line. The Sooners played seven ranked opponents (In order, #10 Texas, #9 Colorado, #14 Iowa State, #14 Missouri, #5 Nebraska, #20 Oklahoma State, and #5 Penn State), and four of these opponents finished the season ranked. Oklahoma's only loss on the field was in the fifth game against Colorado. The team concluded its season with a 14–0 victory over Penn State in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Eve. Pruitt led the Sooners in rushing with 1024 yards, Dave Robertson led in passing with 1136 yards, and Tinker Owens led in receiving (for the first of four consecutive seasons) with 430 yards. Pruitt led in scoring with 86 points, Shoate in tackles with 145, and Dan Ruster in interceptions with seven.http://www.big12sports.com/fls/10410/pdfs/football/record_book.pdf?&DB_OEM_ID=10410 2009 Football Record Book Big12sports.com July 2, 2010 164 The 1972 Sooners twice posted 37 first downs, which was a school record that stood for 16 seasons.http://www.big12sports.com/fls/10410/pdfs/football/record_book.pdf?&DB_OEM_ID=10410 2009 Football Record Book Big 12 Conference July 1, 2010 164 Schedule 1972 AP September 16 w y 4 Utah State Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman OK 49–0 61,826 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-sooners-rout-utah-st/181877810/ The Palm Beach Post-Times Sooners rout Utah State September 17, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com September 23 w y 2 Oregon Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 68–3 61,862–62,240 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uN1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6191%2C5822958 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Cawood Neil Big Green suffers its blackest day September 24, 1972 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sIxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6062%2C5379218 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Sooners explode for over 700 yards in 68-3 win over Ducks September 24, 1972 18 September 30 w y 2 Clemson Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 52–3 61,210–61,826 Clemson Football Media Guide - 1973 Football Media Guides https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/fball_media/63/ Clemson University 1973 2 November 5, 2023 October 14 w y y 2 Texas 10 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX Red River Shootout ABC 27–0 72,030 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-odessa-american-ou-defense-throttles/169003921/ The Odessa American OU defense throttles Longhorns, 27–0 October 15, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 21 l y 2 Colorado 9 Folsom Field Boulder, CO ABC 14–20 52,022 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-interceptions-key-i/181955859/ The Billings Gazette Interceptions key in Colorado's win October 22, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 28 w 8 Kansas State Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 52–0 61,826 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-longview-daily-news-sooners-dump-kan/181956029/ Longview Morning Journal Sooners dump Kansas State October 29, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 4 w y 7 Iowa State 14 Clyde Williams Field Ames, IA 20–6 36,231 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-isus-majors-impres/181956175/ Lincoln Journal Star ISU's Majors impressed by Oklahoma; Fears NU most November 5, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 w 7 Missouri 14 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK rivalry 17–6 61,826 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-defense-sooner-vi/181956284/ The Commercial Appeal Defense! Sooner vise chokes Missouri November 12, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18 w y 4 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS 31–7 43,350 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-sooners-rip-k/181956440/ The San Francisco Examiner Sooners rip Kansas, 31–7 November 19, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 23 w y 4 Nebraska 5 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry ABC 17–14 76,587 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-oklahoma-spoils/181956546/ Wisconsin State Journal Oklahoma spoils Devaney's party November 24, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com December 2 w 3 Oklahoma State 20 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK Bedlam Series 38–15 61,826 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-sooners-drop-ok/181956674/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Sooners drop Okla. St. 38–15 December 3, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com December 31 w y y 2 Penn State 5 Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 14–0 80,123 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-sooners-tinker-with-pe/181878729/ Chicago Tribune Sooners 'Tinker' with Penn State Lions 14–0 January 1, 1973 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com http://www.soonerstats.com/football/seasons/schedule.cfm?seasonid=1972 1972 OU Football Season Schedule - SoonerStats - Historical scores, records, and stats for Oklahoma Sooners football, basketball, baseball, and softball Schedule/Results (1972 Oklahoma) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/251685 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 28, 2025 Game summaries Utah State Utah St 0 0 0 0 Oklahoma 21 7 14 7 September 16 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 62,546 yes Q1 OKLA Carroll 44 yard pass from Robertson (Carroll kick) OKLA 7–0 Q1 OKLA Pruitt 5 yard run (Carroll kick) OKLA 14–0 Q1 OKLA Burgel 1 yard run (Carroll kick) OKLA 21–0 Q2 OKLA Pruitt 1 yard run (Carroll kick) OKLA 28–0 Q3 OKLA Pruitt 4 yard run (Carroll kick) OKLA 35–0 Q3 OKLA Wylie 12 yard run (Carroll kick) OKLA 42–0 Q4 OKLA Washington 1 yard run (Carroll kick) OKLA 49–0 yes Palm Beach Post. 17 Sep 1972. Retrieved 2017-Jul-15. Kerry Jackson 10 Rush, 109 Yds Oregon Oregon 0 0 0 3 Oklahoma 14 21 26 7 September 23 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 62,240 Greg Pruitt 11 Rush, 103 Yds, TD Clemson #2 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Clemson Tigers Clemson 0 0 0 3 #2 Oklahoma 7 17 21 7 September 30 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma yes 1 OU Greg Pruitt 5-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick) OU 7-0 2 OU Robertson 1-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick) OU 14-0 2 OU Greg Pruitt 4-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick) OU 21-0 2 OU Rick Fulcher 32-yard field goal OU 24-0 3 OU Robertson 4-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick) OU 31-0 3 OU Greg Pruitt 1-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick) OU 38-0 3 OU Joe Washington 61-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick) OU 45-0 4 OU Powers 57-yard fumble return (Rick Fulcher kick) OU 52-0 4 CLEM Seigler 49-yard field goal OU 52-3 yes "Sooners again." Eugene Register-Guard. October 1, 1972 Tim Welch 24 Rush, 158 Yds Vs. Texas January 2021 At Colorado January 2021 Kansas State January 2021 At Iowa State January 2021 Missouri January 2021 At Kansas #4 Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas Jayhawks #4 Oklahoma 7 10 14 0 Kansas 0 0 7 0 November 18 Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas 43,350 yes 1 Oklahoma Robertson 3-yard run (Fulcher kick) Oklahoma 7-0 2 Oklahoma Crosswhite 6-yard run (Fulcher kick) Oklahoma 14-0 2 Oklahoma Fulcher 35-yard field goal Oklahoma 17-0 3 Kansas Schroll 49-yard pass from Jaynes (Helbacher kick) Oklahoma 17-7 3 Oklahoma Wylie 2-yard run (Fulcher kick) Oklahoma 24-7 3 Oklahoma Carroll 24-yard pass from Robertson (Fulcher kick) Oklahoma 31-7 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1972 November 19. At Nebraska January 2021 Oklahoma State Oklahoma St 0 0 9 6 Oklahoma 14 10 0 14 December 2 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 62,363 Joe Washington 21 Rush, 109 Yds, 2 TD Leon Crosswhite 27 Rush, 106 Yds Sugar Bowl (vs Penn State) 1972 Sugar Bowl (December) Oklahoma 7 0 7 0 Penn St 0 0 0 0 Attendance: 84,031 (Tulane Stadium) OU Owens 27 yd pass from Robertson (Fulcher kick) OU Crosswhite 1 yd run (Fulcher kick) Passing: OU Robertson 3/6, 88 Yds, TD, PSU Hufnagel 12/31, 147 Yds, INT Rushing: OU Pruitt 21/86, PSU Nagle 10/22 Receiving: OU Owens 5/132, TD, PSU Scott 3/59 2018 Oklahoma football media guide. Retrieved 2019-Jan-15. Rankings 1972 NCAA University Division football rankings AP 0 14 6 (2) 4 (12) 2 (11) 2 (14) 2 (13) 2 (15) 2 (20) 8 7 8 4 4 3 2 2 UPI 0 14 3 (2) 1 (11) 2 (13) 2 (12) 2 (11) 2 (13) 2 (12) 2 (8) 6 7 4 4 3 2 2 Roster 1972 Oklahoma Sooners f 63 Jr Neil Acker T 8 So Steve Allen SE 73 So Drake Andarakes T 1 So Bill Anderson FB 74 So Jerry Arnold T 54 Sr Tom Brahaney C y 82 Sr Al Chandler OE y 17 Sr Leon Crosswhite FB y 69 Jr John McLaughlin G 85 Jr Mike McLaughlin TE 11 Fr Tinker Owens SE y 34 Sr Greg Pruitt HB y 15 Sr Dave Robertson QB 24 Fr Joe Washington HB y 60 Sr Dean Unruh G 22 Sr Joe Wylie HB/P 41 So Gary Gibbs LB y 96 Sr Ray Hamilton Ray Hamilton (defensive tackle) DE y 97 Sr Derland Moore DT y 98 Jr Lucious Selmon DT y 10 Sr John Carroll K http://soonerstats.com/football/players/roster.cfm?seasonid=1972 *Chuck Fairbanks * Galen Hall (WR) Warren Harper (LB) Gene Hochevar Jimmy Johnson (DL) Larry Lacewell (DC) Bill Michael (OL) Wendell Mosley (RB) Jerry Pettibone Barry Switzer (OC) Awards and honors All-American: Greg Pruitt,http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-greg-pruitt-1971-72.html All-American: Greg Pruitt July 2, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100525145601/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-greg-pruitt-1971-72.html May 25, 2010 dead mdy-all Rod Shoate,http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-rod-shoate-1972-73-74.html All-American: Rod Shoate July 2, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100525073705/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-rod-shoate-1972-73-74.html May 25, 2010 dead mdy-all Tom Brahaneyhttp://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-tom-brahaney-1971-72.html All-American: Tom Brahaney July 2, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100525150402/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-tom-brahaney-1971-72.html May 25, 2010 dead mdy-all and Derland Moorehttp://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-derland-moore-1972.html All-American: Derland Moore July 2, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100525215714/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-derland-moore-1972.html May 25, 2010 dead mdy-all After the season NFL draft The following players were drafted into the National Football League following the season.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1973/draft.htm 1973 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com November 29, 2020 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/oklahoma/drafted.htm Oklahoma Drafted Players/Alumni Pro-Football-Reference.com April 23, 2023 Oklahoma Sooners 2 Round Pick Player Position NFL team229Derland MooreDefensive endNew Orleans Saints230Greg PruittRunning backCleveland Browns243Al ChandlerTight endCincinnati Bengals244Leon CrosswhiteRunning backDetroit Lions4101Joe WylieWide receiverOakland Raiders5109Tom BrahaneyCenterSt. Louis Cardinals7164Ken JonesTackleSt. Louis Cardinals10238Dan RusterDefensive backNew England Patriots12292Dean UnruhTackleSt. Louis Cardinals14342Ray HamiltonLinebackerNew England Patriots17424Larry RoachDefensive backChicago Bears References External links Sports Reference – 1972 Oklahoma football season Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma Sooners football seasons Category:Sugar Bowl champion seasons Oklahoma Sooners football