1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team

American college football season November 2016 February 2026 1979 Oklahoma Sooners football Oklahoma Sooners Logo 1979-2000.png Big Eight Conference Big 8 3 3 11–1 7–0 Barry Switzer 7th Galen Hall 7th Wishbone Rex Norris 2nd 5–2 George Cumby Darrol Ray Billy Sims Paul Tabor Sherwood Taylor Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Big 8 championOrange Bowl champion Orange Bowl W 24–7 vs. Florida State 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.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 a 7–0 conference record to earn the Conference title outright under head coach Barry Switzer who took the helm in 1973.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=1979 1979 Football Season June 30, 2010 SoonerStats.com This was Switzer's seventh conference title and fourth undefeated conference record in seven seasons. The team was led by All-Americans Billy Sims and George Cumby. After winning the conference title outright, it earned a trip to the 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. The Sooners started the season with a four consecutive wins before losing to Texas and then won their remaining seven games. Sims and J.C. Watts both posted for 100-yard games in the Orange Bowl.http://www.orangebowl.org/orange_bowl/1980s.aspx Sooners Spoil Seminole Uprising June 30, 2010 Orange Bowl Committee https://web.archive.org/web/20100924061436/http://www.orangebowl.org/orange_bowl/1980s.aspx September 24, 2010 dead Sims led the nation in scoring with 138 points (based on per game average of 12.0, which includes 132 in 11 games).http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2009/2009FBS.pdf 2009 Division I Football Records Book: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Records July 9, 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association 47 Sims led the team in rushing with 1670 yards, Watts led the team in passing with 821 yards, Freddie Nixon led the team in receiving with 293 yards, Cumby led the team with 160 tackles and Bud Hebert posted 4 interceptions.http://www.big12sports.com/fls/10410/pdfs/football/record_book.pdf?&DB_OEM_ID=10410 2009 Football Record Book Big 12 Conference June 30, 2010 175 Billy Sims set numerous Oklahoma offensive records that still stand including career 200-yard games, single-season rushing touchdowns (tied)http://www.big12sports.com/fls/10410/pdfs/football/record_book.pdf?&DB_OEM_ID=10410 2009 Football Record Book Big 12 Conference June 30, 2010 166 Schedule 1979 AP September 15 w y 3 Iowa Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 21–6 72,531 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-oklahoma-su/157930040/ Springfield Leader and Press Oklahoma survives scare from Iowa September 16, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 22 w y 3 Tulsa Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 49–13 72,451 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-sooners-julius/157765228/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Sooners' Julius Caesar conquers Tulsa, 49–13 September 23, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 29 w y y 3 Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX 63–21 30,442 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-sooners-clobber-ric/157775879/ Lincoln Journal Star Sooners clobber Rice September 30, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 w 3 Colorado Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 49–24 72,512 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-island-independent-oklahoma-do/157942230/ The Grand Island Independent Oklahoma downs Colorado... October 7, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 l y y 3 Texas 4 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX rivalry ABC 7–16 72,032 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-texas-defense-stifles-soon/157780460/ The Columbian Texas defense stifles Sooners October 14, 1979 October 24, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 w y 8 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS 38–6 27,257 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-ou-rallies-to-dance/157938891/ The Kansas City Star OU rallies to dance over K-State October 21, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 27 w 7 Iowa State Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 38–9 72,069 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-island-independent-sims-crushe/157941209/ The Grand Island Independent Sims crushes Cyclones October 28, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 3 w y 7 Oklahoma State Bedlam Series Lewis Field Stillwater, OK 38–7 51,453 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-sooners-triumph/157943522/ Wisconsin State Journal Sooners triumph, 38–7 November 4, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 w 6 Kansas Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 38–0 71,882 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-oklahoma-too-muc/157940541/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Oklahoma too much for Kansas November 11, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 w y 7 Missouri rivalry Faurot Field Columbia, MO 24–22 69,973 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-sooners-escape-missouri/157943154/ St. Petersburg Times Sooners escape Missouri November 18, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 24 w 8 Nebraska 3 rivalry Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ABC 17–14 72,516 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-1979-nebraska-oklah/95110885/ Lincoln Journal Star Oklahoma does it again, spoils NU title hopes, 17–14 November 25, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com January 1, 1980 w y y 5 Florida State 4 Orange Bowl Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL NBC 24–7 66,714 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-oklahoma-ends-florid/157860049/ The Palm Beach Post Oklahoma ends Florida State's streak January 2, 1980 October 26, 2024 Newspapers.comhttp://www.soonerstats.com/football/seasons/schedule.cfm?seasonid=1979 1979 OU Football Season Schedule - SoonerStats - Historical scores, records, and stats for Oklahoma Sooners football, basketball, baseball, and softball Personnel 1979 Oklahoma Sooners f 75 G JR Terry Crouch y 59 T SR Darrell Irvin y 11 RB SR Fred Nixon y 66 T JR Louis Oubre yes y 22 HB JR David Overstreet y 7 QB SO Kelly Phelps y 24 SE SR Steve Rhodes Steve Rhodes (American football) y 20 RB SR Billy Sims yes y 73 T SR Paul Tabor yes y 1 QB JR J. C. Watts yes y 76 G SO Steve Williams Steve Williams (wrestler) y 32 RB FR Stanley Wilson Stanley Wilson (running back) y 40 RB FR Chet Winters y 36 DL FR John Blake John Blake (American football) y 28 LB SR George Cumby yes y 92 DT JR Keith Gary y 72 DT SR John Goodman John Goodman (American football) y 6 DB FR Steve Haworth Steve Haworth (American football) y 33 S SR Bud Hebert yes y 83 DE SR Mike Joyce 3 S SR Darrol Ray y 41 DE JR Mike Rilley Mike Reilly (1980s linebacker) y 96 DT JR Richard Turner Richard Turner (American football) y 88 DE FR Mike Weddington y 9 K SO John Hoge 99 K FR Mike Keeling https://soonerstats.com/football/players/roster.cfm?seasonid=1979 *Barry Switzer * Gary Gibbs (LB) Galen Hall (OC) Warren Harper (LB) Merv Johnson (OL) Wendell Mosley (RB) Rex Norris (DC) Lucious Selmon (DL) Season summary Iowa Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed Iowa Hawkeyes at #3 Oklahoma Sooners September 15 Iowa 6 0 0 0 Oklahoma 0 7 0 14 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 72,531 "Sluggish Oklahoma Downs Iowa." September 16, 1979 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 Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2–1) at #3 Oklahoma Sooners (1–0) September 22 Tulsa 0 3 10 0 Oklahoma 21 7 0 21 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 72,451 At Rice Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed #3 Oklahoma Sooners (2–0) at Rice Owls (1–2) September 29 Oklahoma 21 21 14 7 Rice 0 0 0 21 Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas 30,442 Colorado Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed Colorado Buffaloes (1–3) at #3 Oklahoma Sooners (3–0) October 6 Colorado 7 0 3 14 Oklahoma 7 28 7 7 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 72,512 Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 October 7. 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 Red River Rivalry Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed #3 Oklahoma Sooners (4–0) vs. #4 Texas Longhorns (3–0) October 13 Oklahoma 7 0 0 0 Texas 3 7 0 6 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas 72,032 ABC Keith Jackson & Frank Broyles At Kansas State Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed #8 Oklahoma Sooners (4–1) at Kansas State Wildcats October 20 Oklahoma 3 0 14 21 Kansas State 0 6 0 0 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas 27,757 Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Oct 21. Retrieved 2018-Oct-28. 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 OU – KSU – Top rushers OU – J.C. Watts – 118 yards, 2 TD KSU – Top receivers OU KSU – Iowa State Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed Iowa State Cyclones at #7 Oklahoma Sooners (5–1) October 27 Iowa State 0 0 0 9 Oklahoma 7 10 14 7 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 72,069 At Oklahoma State (Bedlam Series) Bedlam Series Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed #7 Oklahoma Sooners (6–1) at Oklahoma State Cowboys November 3 Oklahoma 24 7 7 0 Oklahoma State 0 0 0 7 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma 51,453 Palm Beach Post. 1979 Nov 4. 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 Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed Kansas Jayhawks at #6 Oklahoma Sooners (7–1) November 10 Kansas 0 0 0 0 Oklahoma 3 7 7 21 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 71,882 At Missouri Missouri–Oklahoma football rivalry Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align: center collapsed #7 Oklahoma Sooners (8–1) at Missouri Tigers November 17 Oklahoma 7 0 14 3 Missouri 3 6 7 6 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri 69,973 66 F C Box Score Top passers OU – MIZ – Top rushers OU – Billy Sims – 282 yards MIZ – Top receivers OU – MIZ – Oklahoma's 100th win of the 1970s (Alabama only other school to do so)Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 18. Nebraska Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed #3 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #8 Oklahoma Sooners (9–1) November 24 Nebraska 0 7 0 7 Oklahoma 0 3 7 7 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 71,180 ABC Keith Jackson & Frank Broyles First quarter No scoring 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 NEB OU Top rushers NEB OU – Billy Sims – 28 rushes, 247 yards Top receivers NEB OU Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 25. DataOmaha.com https://web.archive.org/web/20201019150238/https://www.dataomaha.com/huskers/history/game/1979-11-24-oklahoma October 19, 2020 . Retrieved 2020-Dec-06. Orange Bowl (vs Florida State) 1980 Orange Bowl Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed Orange Bowl: #4 Florida State Seminoles (11–0) vs. #5 Oklahoma Sooners (10–1) January 1, 1980 Tuesday Florida State 7 0 0 0 Oklahoma 0 17 0 7 Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 66,714 NBC Don Criqui, John Brodie, and Bob Trumpy Rankings 1979 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 14 3 (4) 3 3 3 3 3 8 7 7 6 7 8 5 5 3 Coaches Poll 0 14 2 (2) 3 (3) 3 3 3 3 8 9 7 7 7 7 4 5 3 (1) Awards and honors All-American: Billy Sims,http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-billy-sims-1978-79.html All-American: Billy Sims June 29, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100525143926/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-billy-sims-1978-79.html May 25, 2010 dead mdy-all and George Cumby,http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-george-cumby-1977-1979.html All-American: George Cumby June 29, 2010 CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20100523224720/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/aa-george-cumby-1977-1979.html May 23, 2010 dead Big 8 rushing champion: Sims NCAA DI scoring champion: Sims Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year: Cumby NFL draft 1980 NFL draft The following players were selected in the National Football League draft following the season.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1980/draft.htm 1980 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com November 29, 2020https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/oklahoma/drafted.htm Oklahoma Drafted Players/Alumni Pro-Football-Reference.com April 23, 2023 Sooners who were picked in the 1980 NFL Draft: Oklahoma Sooners 2 Round Pick Player Position NFL team 11Billy SimsRunning backDetroit Lions126George CumbyLinebackerGreen Bay Packers240Darrol RaySafetyNew York Jets256John GoodmanDefensive endPittsburgh Steelers487Fred NixonWide receiverGreen Bay Packers5130Paul TaborCenterChicago Bears5179Darry HebertDefensive backNew York Giants9235Barry BurdetLinebackerNew England Patriots11284Mike BabbDefensive backAtlanta Falcons References 30em Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma Sooners football seasons Category:Big Eight Conference football champion seasons Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons Oklahoma Sooners football