Sooners End Postseason Drought

Dec. 27, 1999

NORMAN, Okla. AP - It has been a long five years for Oklahoma. The Sooners have not played a postseason game since the 1994 Copper Bowl and have suffered through three losing seasons in that span.

Now Oklahoma (7-4) is back, and on Friday the Sooners will make their first appearance in the Independence Bowl when they take on Mississippi.

The Sooners' return to postseason play will be difficult, as the Rebels (7-4) have won three straight bowls, including a 35-18 win over Texas Tech in last year's Independence Bowl.

Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe said it would be a big step for his team to beat one of the nation's most storied programs. Oklahoma's 33 Bowl appearances are eighth in NCAA history.

"I know our fans will be excited about playing Oklahoma," Cutcliffe said. "Since I've been here, a lot of fans have called me about our scheduling and told me that we need to play Oklahoma, and the Independence Bowl is doing that for us."

Much of the reason for the Sooners' turnaround is the combination of first-year coach Bob Stoops and quarterback Josh Heupel. Stoops, Oklahoma's third coach since the 1994 season, brought a wide-open offensive style and winning attitude to a team that was 17-27-1 the past four seasons.

Heupel was the ideal quarterback for Stoops' system. He finished the year with 3,448 yards passing and 30 touchdowns.

Heupel's main targets were receivers Brandon Daniels and Jarrail Jackson, who combined for 1,060 yards and eight touchdowns. Oklahoma averaged 36.8 points to rank eighth in the nation.

That could be potentially devastating to a Mississippi secondary that was ranked 103rd in the nation in pass defense, allowing 248.5 yards per game. But the Rebels' rush defense compensated for the secondary's shortcomings, allowing just 76.9 yards a game.

"An area of concern for us is on defense," Cutcliffe said. "We are going to have to play probably our best game to be successful on that side of the ball."

The Rebels surrendered just 17.9 points per game this season, 17th in the nation.

Mississippi has some offensive firepower in running backs Deuce McAllister and Joe Gunn. After missing games early in the season with a shoulder injury, McAllister led the Southeastern Conference in all-purpose offense with 169.2 yards per game. His 13 touchdowns were third in the conference.

Gunn rushed for 951 yards with four touchdowns.

Despite injuries to his receivers, junior quarterback Romaro Miller passed for 1,999 yards with 14 touchdowns.

Mississippi is 2-1 all-time in the Independence Bowl. The Rebels are trying for their first four-game bowl winning streak since capturing five in a row from 1956 to 1961.

Friday's game will be the first meeting between the teams.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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