1985 Oklahoma Sooners football team

American college football season January 2022 February 2026 1985 Oklahoma Sooners football Oklahoma Sooners Logo 1979-2000.png Big Eight Conference Big 8 1 1 11–1 7–0 Barry Switzer 13th Jim Donnan 1st Wishbone Gary Gibbs 5th 5–2 Tony Casillas Kevin Murphy Eric Pope Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Consensus national championBig 8 championOrange Bowl champion Orange Bowl W 25–10 vs. Penn State The 1985 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. This year was Barry Switzer's 13th season as head coach. The Sooners ended this season with 11 wins and a sole loss coming to the Miami Hurricanes in Norman, in a game in which the Sooners lost starting quarterback Troy Aikman for the season. The Sooners were forced to place their trust in freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway and a physical defense featuring three All-Americans, who led them to a Big 8 Conference title and a national championship. This was Oklahoma's sixth national championship and 34th conference championship in school history.http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-1985-national-champs.html University of Oklahoma Official 1985 Championship Page SoonerSports.com University of Oklahoma Athletic Department August 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070718200723/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-1985-national-champs.html July 18, 2007 dead Schedule 1985 AP Central September 28 7:00 p.m. w y y 2 Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN TBS 13–7 62,446 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ou-minnesota-postgame-1985/135144885/ Tulsa World Sooners escape Gophers, 13–7 September 29, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 5 11:30 a.m. w y 2 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS Raycom 41–6 23,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-second-rankes-so/170580615/ The Des Moines Register Second-ranked Sooners maul Kansas State, 41–6 October 6, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 12 12:00 p.m. w y y 2 Texas 17 Red River Shootout Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX ABC 14–7 75,587 https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-sooners-stuf/170267333/ The Corpus Christi Caller-Times Sooners stuff Longhorns October 13, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 19 2:30 p.m. l y 3 Miami (FL) Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ABC 14–27 73,102 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-angelo-standard-times-hurricanes-blo/170222009/ San Angelo Standard-Times Hurricanes blow away OU October 20, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 26 1:30 p.m. w 10 Iowa State Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 59–14 74,207 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-freshmen-spark-okalhoma-to-6/170583267/ The Courier Freshmen spark Okalhoma to 643 yards in 59–14 win October 27, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 2 1:30 p.m. w 9 Kansas Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 48–6 75,008 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-freshman-leads-sooners-t/170581441/ St. Petersburg Times Freshman leads Sooners to 48–6 rout of Kansas November 3, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9 11:30 a.m. w y 7 Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry HSE 51–6 50,321 https://www.newspapers.com/article/okmulgee-daily-times-sooners-nail-tigers/170580213/ Okmulgee Daily Times Sooners nail Tigers 51–6 November 10, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 16 1:30 p.m. w y 7 Colorado Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 31–0 74,145 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-ou-defense-gets-its/170584448/ The Daily Oklahoman OU defense gets its shutout, 31–0 November 17, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 23 2:30 p.m. w 5 Nebraska 2 rivalry Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ABC 27–7 75,554 https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-sooners-steamr/170585366/ Austin American-Statesman Sooners steamroll Cornhuskers November 24, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 30 6:30 p.m. w y 3 Oklahoma State 17 Lewis Field Stillwater, OK Bedlam ESPN 13–0 44,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-despite-ice-ok/170584737/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Despite ice, Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State December 1, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com December 7 2:30 p.m. w y 4 SMU Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ABC 35–13 73,284 https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-sooners-hammer/170266900/ Austin American-Statesman Sooners hammer Ponies December 8, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1, 1986 7:00 p.m. w y y 3 Penn State 1 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL Orange Bowl NBC 25–10 74,148 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-shreveport-journal-oklahoma-takes-ca/170222533/ The Shreveport Journal Oklahoma takes care of business January 2, 1986 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com https://www.soonerstats.com/football/seasons/schedule.cfm?SeasonID=1985 1985 University of Oklahoma Football Schedule Soonerstats.com 2007 April 18, 2007 Roster Quarterbacks 18 Troy Aikman† – Sophomore 4 Jamelle Holieway† – Freshman 16 Kyle Irvin – Sophomore 1 Eric Mitchel – Freshman 9 Glen Sullivan – Sophomore Running backs 28 Rotnei Anderson FB – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 45 Lydell Carr† FB – Sophomore 43 Chris Howard FB – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 5 Earl Johnson FB – Junior 84 Chris Youman FB – Freshman 35 Eric Bross – Freshman 33 Patrick Collins† – Sophomore 28 Ron Counter – Sophomore 23 Don Maloney – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 22 Gregg Nesbitt – Sophomore 2 Leon Perry† – Freshman 38 Chris Richards – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 27 Damon Stell – Sophomore 20 Spencer Tillman† – Junior 26 Mark White – Freshman 82 Greg Dixon – Freshman 13 Dion Wharry – Freshman 30 Robert Stanley† – Sophomore Receivers 15 Derrick Crudup – Sophomore 87 Paul Rodgers – Freshman 3 Derrick Shepard† – Junior 24 Don Smitherman – Freshman 25 Anthony Stafford† – Freshman Lee Morris – Sophomore Carl Cabbiness – Freshman 83 Jeff Jones – Freshman Tight ends 85 Darin Berryhill – Senior 88 Keith Jackson† – Sophomore 97 Aubrey King – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 89 Terry Pritchard – Freshman 67 David Frolich – Freshman 81 David Shoemaker – Freshman Lance Price – Sophomore Offensive line 74 W. Bennett G – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 62 Al Laurita G – Sophomore 71 Jeff Pickett G – Junior 63 Eric Pope†‡ G – Senior 73 Scott Harrison L – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 72 Dugan Forrest T – Freshman 58 Mickey Greene T – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 79 Mark Hutson† T – Sophomore 73 Chuck Johnson C – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 75 Greg Johnson T – Sophomore 70 Richard Marks T – Sophomore 68 Anthony Phillips† T – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 77 Caesar Rentie T – Sophomore 76 Mark Van Keirsbilck T – Freshman 65 Mike Wise L – Freshman 57 Kevin Adkins C – Junior 78 Daniel Blackwood C – Sophomore 53 Travis Simpson C – Junior 52 Ric Uhles C – Senior 59 Greg Williams C – Freshman 55 Paul Ferrer† C/G – Senior Defensive line 92 Tony Casillas†‡ NG – Senior 51 Richard Davis NG – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 93 Curtice Williams NG – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 69 Andre Williams L – Freshman 98 Dante Williams L – Freshman 61 Mike Aljoe E – Junior 47 Jeff Hake E – Junior 80 Troy Johnson E – Sophomore 46 Kert Kaspar E – Sophomore 60 Mike Mantle E – Junior 39 Kevin Murphy†‡ E – Senior 40 Darrell Reed E – Sophomore 95 Jodie Britt T – Sophomore 86 Steve Bryan T – Junior 90 Darren Kilpatrick T – Sophomore 56 Bob Latham† T – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 66 Jon Phillips T – Sophomore 96 Richard Reed T – Junior 78 Jeff Tupper T – Senior 99 Tony Woods T – 10px|Redshirt Freshman Linebackers 44 Brian Bosworth† – Sophomore 41 Tony Sebo – Freshman 54 Evan Gatewood – Junior 50 Dante Jones† – Sophomore 43 Frederick McDonald injured resv."Sophomore" 48 Brad McBride – Sophomore 42 Paul Migliazzo† – Junior Defensive backs 8 Sonny Brown† – Junior 29 Rickey Dixon† – Sophomore 9 Lonnie Finch – Freshman 49 Scott Garl – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 7 Ledell Glenn – Junior 32 Percy Hines – Junior 6 Andre Johnson – Sophomore 36 Steve Jones – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 17 Ken McMichel – Freshman 35 Tony Rayburn† – Junior 21 Carlos Scott – Freshman 37 Todd Smith – Junior 11 Leonard Thomas – Freshman 22 Kevin Thompson – Freshman 19 Scott Thompson – Freshman 10 David Vickers† – Sophomore 14 Derrick White – 10px|Redshirt Freshman Kickers 31 Tim Lashar† – Junior 91 Todd Thomsen – Freshman 26 Darren Atyia P – Sophomore 12 Mike Winchester P† – Junior† Starter at position      ‡ Team Captain     * Injured; did not play in 1985. Courtesy of Soonerstats.com Rankings 1985 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 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 0 16 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 losing the 1985 Orange Bowl to the Washington Huskies and letting any National Championship aspirations for that year disappear (and be awarded to the BYU Cougars, the nation's only undefeated college football team that year), the defending Big 8 Champion Sooners came into the 1985 season on a mission. Led by a defense (which later drew comparisons to their NFL counterpart Chicago Bears) and quarterback sophomore Troy Aikman, the Sooners seemed poised for a run at the Orange Bowl and the National Championship.June 2026 Nothing seemed to indicate otherwise, as the Sooners rolled past Minnesota and Kansas State before beating the Longhorns in the annual Red River Shootout. at Minnesota #2 Oklahoma Sooners at Minnesota Golden Gophers No. 2 Sooners 3 7 0 3 Golden Gophers 0 0 0 7 September 28 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome yes 1 OU Lashar 21-yard field goal OU 3-0 2 OU E. Johnson 1-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 10-0 4 OU Lashar 21-yard field goal OU 13-0 4 MIN Starks 12-yard pass from Foggie (Lohmiller kick) OU 13-7 yes 1985 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team OU MINN 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 Sooners Prevail by 13-7 https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/29/sports/sooners-prevail-by-13-7.html The New York Times September 29, 1985 December 10, 2023 at Kansas State #2 Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas State Wildcats No. 2 Sooners 0 14 13 14 Wildcats 0 0 6 0 October 5 KSU Stadium 23,500 1985 Kansas State Wildcats football team SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18. OU KSU 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) Red River Shootout 1985 Texas Longhorns football team #17 Texas Longhorns vs. #2 Oklahoma Sooners No. 17 Longhorns 7 0 0 0 No. 2 Sooners 0 7 0 7 October 12 Cotton Bowl, Dallas 75,587 Source: "45-yard run gives No. 2 OU 14-7 win over Texas." Gainesville Sun. October 13, 1985 yes 1 TEX Kip Cooper 7-yard fumble return (Jeffrey Ward kick) TEX 7-0 2 10:18 OU Lydell Carr 1-yard run (Tim Lashar kick) Tied 7-7 4 12:25 OU Patrick Collins 45-yard run (Tim Lashar kick) OU 14-7 yes 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.Texas Picks Up Only Four First Downs as Oklahoma Wins, 14-7 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-10-13-sp-16001-story.html The Los Angeles Times October 13, 1985 December 10, 2023https://www.soonerstats.com/football/games/recap.cfm?GameID=849 1985 OU-Texas Game Soonerstats.com 2007 May 17, 2007 Texas OU 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) Miami Hurricanes at #3 Oklahoma Sooners Hurricanes 7 7 13 0 No. 3 Sooners 7 0 0 7 October 19 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 73,102 Overcast Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles, and Tim Brant ABC yes 1 8:44 Miami (FL) Michael Irvin 56-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Greg Cox kick) Miami (FL) 7-0 1 6:34 OU Derrick Shepard 14-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Tim Lashar kick) Tied 7-7 2 14:16 Miami (FL) Testaverde 3-yard run (Cox kick) Miami (FL) 14-7 3 8:49 Miami (FL) Cox 20-yard field goal Miami (FL) 17-7 3 4:06 Miami (FL) Brian Blades 35-yard pass from Testaverde (Cox kick) Miami (FL) 24-7 3 2:34 Miami (FL) Cox 36-yard field goal Miami (FL) 27-7 4 10:28 OU Lydell Carr 1-yard run (Lashar kick) Miami (FL) 27-14 yes 1985 Miami Hurricanes football team The third-ranked Sooners (3-0) returned home to play their first game in Norman, hosting unranked Miami (4-1). The game made local headlines as a homecoming for Hurricanes coach Jimmy Johnson who was an Oklahoma defensive line coach with Switzer from '70-'72 and went 0-5 against the Sooners as the Oklahoma State head coach. Oklahoma came into the contest with the nation's most aggressive defense (leading to their comparisons to the Monsters of the Midway), which seemingly got better each week, and was led up front by All-American nose tackle Tony Casillas, whose injury against Texas forced him to miss the game. The line featured sophomore tackle Troy Johnson, sophomore end Darrell Reed, and senior end Kevin Murphy, himself an All-American candidate. Lining up behind the group was the menacing Brian Bosworth, with fellow linebackers Paul Migliazzo and Dante Jones (another talented sophomore). This group had permitted an average of only 32 yards rushing per game. Juniors Tony Rayburn and Sonny Brown, and sophomores Rickey Dixon and Derrick White, patrolled the secondary, allowing only 91 yards passing per game. In three games, the defense had allowed only 16 first downs and had permitted an average of 6.6 points per game. 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.MIAMI BEATS SOONERS, 27-14 https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/20/sports/miami-beats-sooners-27-14.html The New York Times October 20, 1985 October 12, 2017https://www.soonerstats.com/football/games/recap.cfm?GameID=850 1985 OU-Miami Game Soonerstats.com 2007 May 17, 2007 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 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 Iowa State Cyclones at #10 Oklahoma Sooners Cyclones 7 0 0 7 No. 10 Sooners 10 21 21 7 October 26 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 70,124 1985 Iowa State Cyclones football team 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.Oklahoma, Holieway Stun Iowa State, 59-14 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-10-27-sp-12853-story.html The Los Angeles Times October 27, 1985 August 22, 2022SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18. ISU OU 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 Kansas Jayhawks at #9 Oklahoma Sooners Jayhawks 3 0 3 0 No. 9 Sooners 0 20 14 14 November 2 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 74,726 SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18. KU OU 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 #7 Oklahoma Sooners at Missouri Tigers No. 7 Sooners 3 20 7 21 Tigers 0 3 3 0 November 9 Memorial Stadium 50,321 SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18. OU MU 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 Colorado Buffaloes at #7 Oklahoma Sooners Buffaloes 0 0 0 0 No. 7 Sooners 7 7 10 7 November 16 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 74,145 yes 1 OU Collins 1-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 7–0 2 OU Holieway 2-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 14–0 3 OU Holieway 20-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 21–0 3 OU Lashar 30-yard field goal OU 24–0 4 OU Tillman 5-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 31–0 yes Gainesville Sun. November 17, 1985 CU OU 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 #2 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #5 Oklahoma Sooners No. 2 Cornhuskers 0 0 0 7 No. 5 Sooners 14 3 10 0 November 23 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 75,554 Overcast Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles, and Tim Brant ABC yes 1 11:21 OU Keith Jackson 88-yard run (Tim Lashar kick) OU 7–0 1 5:52 OU Jamelle Holieway 43-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 14–0 2 1:18 OU Lashar 37-yard field goal OU 17–0 3 9:19 OU Lashar 33-yard field goal OU 20–0 3 2:26 OU Holieway 17-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 27–0 4 0:26 Neb Chris Spachman 76-yard fumble return (Klein kick) OU 27–7 yes 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.https://www.soonerstats.com/football/games/recap.cfm?GameID=855 1985 OU-Nebraska Game Soonerstats.com 2007 May 17, 2007 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. NU OU 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 1985 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team Bedlam Series Oklahoma Sooners 2; text-align:center collapsed #3 Oklahoma Sooners (8–1) at #17 Oklahoma State Cowboys (8–2) November 30 7:30 p.m. EST Oklahoma 0 10 0 3 Oklahoma St 0 0 0 0 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma 44,000 low 20s ESPN Eugene Register-Guard. 1985 Dec 01. First quarter No scoring Second quarter OU – Tim Lashar 27-yard field goal. Oklahoma 3–0. Drive: OU – Spencer Tillman 3-yard run (Tim Lashar kick). Oklahoma 10–0. Drive: Third quarter No scoring Fourth quarter OU – Tim Lashar 30-yard field goal, 5:44. Oklahoma 13–0. Drive: Top passers OU – Jamelle Holieway – 4/5, 54 yards, INT OSU – Ronnie Williams – 5/25, 32 yards, INT Top rushers OU – Lydell Carr – 24 rushes, 78 yards OSU – Thurman Thomas – 23 rushes, 100 yards Top receivers OU – Damon Stell – 1 reception, 31 yards OSU – Kenneth Brown – 1 reception, 15 yards "The Ice Bowl" Tim Lashar sets Oklahoma single season school field goal record. SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18. "Sooners leave Cowboys cold, 13-0." Eugene Register-Guard. 1985 Dec 01. Retrieved 2020-Nov-22. SMU SMU Mustangs at #4 Oklahoma Sooners Mustangs 7 0 0 6 No. 4 Sooners 0 21 7 7 December 7 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 72,046 Keith Jackson (1st half only), Frank Broyles, and Tim Brant (1st half sideline reporter/2nd half play-by-play) ABC SoonerStats.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18. SMU OU 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) #1 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. #3 Oklahoma Sooners No. 1 Nittany Lions 7 3 0 0 No. 3 Sooners 0 16 3 6 January 1, 1986 Orange Bowl 74,178 Robert Aillet (SEC) Don Criqui (play-by-play), Bob Trumpy (analyst), Bob Griese (sideline), and Jimmy Cefalo (sideline) NBC yes 1 8:17 PSU Tim Manoa 1-yard run (Massimo Manca kick) PSU 7–0 2 5 14:35 OU Tim Lashar 26-yard field goal PSU 7–3 12:26 OU Keith Jackson 71-yard pass from Jamelle Holieway (Tim Lashar kick) OU 10–7 5:20 OU Tim Lashar 31-yard field goal OU 13–7 1:49 OU Tim Lashar 21-yard field goal OU 16–7 0:01 PSU Massimo Manca 27-yard field goal OU 16–10 3 3:09 OU Tim Lashar 22-yard field goal OU 19–10 4 1:42 OU Lydell Carr 61-yard run (Lashar kick failed) OU 25–10 yes 1986 Orange Bowl 1985 Penn State Nittany Lions football team 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.https://www.soonerstats.com/football/games/recap.cfm?GameID=858 1986 Orange Bowl Soonerstats.com 2007 May 17, 2007 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. 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.http://www.orangebowl.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=67781&SPID=7659&DB_OEM_ID=11800&ATCLID=695716 1986 Orange Bowl Official Recap Orangebowl.org 2007 February 14, 2007May 2020 InternetArchiveBot yes 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 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 Brian Bosworth – Dick Butkus Award Tony Casillas – Lombardi Award Postseason NFL draft 1986 NFL draft The following players were drafted into the National Football League following the season.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/draft.htm 1986 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com November 29, 2020 Oklahoma Sooners 2 Round Pick Player Position NFL team 12Tony CasillasDefensive tackleAtlanta Falcons240Kevin MurphyLinebackerTampa Bay Buccaneers5116Jeff TupperDefensive endSt. Louis Cardinals References 2 External links Soonerstats.com breakdown of the 1985 schedule Roster for the 1985 Sooners Jamelle Holieway's 71 yard touchdown pass to Keith Jackson 1986 Orange Bowl Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma Sooners football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Big Eight Conference football champion seasons Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons Oklahoma Sooners football