Sooner... and Later

In 1973, Barry Switzer was named head coach of the University of Oklahoma football team. In his first game, a 42-14 romp over Baylor, Switzer gave the Sooner fans a little taste of what was to come.

The talented OU offense scored early and often against Baylor. OU quarterback Steve Davis ran for two touchdowns and Joe Washington added another. At the end of the first quarter, the Sooners led 21-0. Washington would score again and Wayman Clark had a 50-yard touchdown run, as Switzer led the Sooners into the lockerroom with a 35-0 halftime lead. The Bears bounced back and were able to score off of an OU turnover, but it was too little too late. Davis would score one more time for the Sooners and Baylor managed only one more score in the closing seconds of the game.

Davis, Washington and Clark each rushed for over 100 yards in the game to become only the second single-game trio of 100-yard rushers at OU.

Switzer went on to lead the Sooners to a 10-0-1 record and No. 3 final ranking that year, but since they were on probation, they could not participate in a bowl game.

"Although we were on probation, we wanted to show the Big Eight who the powerhouse was," Switzer said. "We had a very successful year and we accomplished what we wanted to."

Switzer went on to become OU's all-time winningest coach and led the Sooners to 12 Big Eight championships, eight bowl wins, and three national championships in 1974, 1975, and 1985. His all-time record at OU is 157-29-4, good for an .837 winning percentage.

Switzer said he thought OU would have a very good football team this year.

"They have some big games along the way," Switzer said. "The key is to stay healthy, but who can predict what's going to happen."

Currently Barry and his wife Becky live in Norman. They enjoy spending time with their three kids (Greg, Kathy and Doug) and their three grandchildren.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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