Red River Rivalry Gives Heupel, Oklahoma A Chance To Grab National Spotlight

Oct. 2, 2000

NORMAN, Okla (AP) - Quarterback Josh Heupel has some unfinished business to take care of in the annual "Red River" rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas.

But personal redemption must take a backseat to helping 10th-ranked Oklahoma remain unbeaten in a key Big 12 Conference battle against No. 11 Texas.

The teams are meeting for the 95th time in a rivalry that dates to 1900. Texas has won the last three games between the schools and leads the all-time series 55-34-5.

"Through my experience of coaching on both sides of this game is that it is two states, two institutions and two football programs with as much pride in their team as anybody in college football history," Longhorns coach Mack Brown said. "During the 1984 game that I was involved with, in which Texas was ranked No. 1 and Oklahoma No. 2, the two teams played to a tie, but the thing that I remember the most was that it was an absolute downpour, and not one person left the stadium."

Last season, Heupel almost single-handedly buried the Longhorns in the first quarter of their annual battle. He completed 11 of his first 12 passes for 181 yards, staking the Sooners to a 17-0 lead. But the turning point came early in the second quarter, when Texas defensive end Aaron Humphrey drilled Heupel as he tried to throw.

The Longhorns eventually settled down, intercepted Heupel three times and rallied to record a 38-28 victory. Major Applewhite threw for three touchdown passes while Texas' defense limited Heupel to 130 yards in the final three quarters.

This time around, Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 Big 12 South) can grab the inside track to the Big 12 championship game with a victory in Dallas. Heupel took advantage of seven turnovers by Kansas on Saturday, throwing for 346 yards and a touchdown to lead the Sooners to a 34-16 victory. He has thrown for 1,246 yards and eight touchdowns with only four interceptions.

Heupel also has spread the wealth offensively, with six receivers already owning 10 or more receptions. Oklahoma's rushing game is also clicking, averaging more than 158 yards per game.

The Longhorns (3-1, 1-0 South) also have an explosive offense, led by Applewhite. He threw for 291 yards and three TDs as Texas ripped Oklahoma State 42-7 on Saturday. Freshman flanker Roy Williams had five receptions for 175 yards, including a 96-yard scoring play that broke open a 10-7 game early in the second half.

"Without much experience he played outstanding on Saturday," Brown said of the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Williams. "I thought he came a million miles since the season started."

Williams, who has 13 catches for a team-high 318 yards, leads an explosive trio of receivers that also features Montrell Flowers and B.J. Johnson. They have combined for 29 catches and 392 yards with two scores.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Red River Rivalry Gives Heupel, Oklahoma A Chance To Grab National Spotlight

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