Sooners Set for Texas

For the 98th time, Oklahoma and Texas collide in the Red River Shootout. In the flip-flop of hosting duties, this is Texas' year to serve as the home team. The backdrop is the State Fair of Texas. This rivarly has been played at a neutral site every year since 1929 when it took up residence in Dallas, a location that is nearly equidistant between Norman and Austin.

The Sooners must travel 189 miles, the Longhorns 196. Both teams are coming off victories in their Big 12 Conference openers. OU rolled past Iowa State at Ames last Saturday, 53-7, while Texas rallied to claim a 24-20 home victory over Kansas State.

THE POLLS
Oklahoma is No. 1 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls. Texas is No. 11 in both polls.
This marks the fourth consecutive season that both teams enter the game with a national ranking. In 29 of the previous meetings, both schools were ranked. At least one of the two has been ranked in 53 of the previous games.
This is the 11th time that one of the two teams has come into the game ranked No. 1. Overall, the top-ranked team is 8-1-1 in this game. The Sooners are 5-1 when bringing the top national ranking into this game.

SERIES HISTORY
Oklahoma trails the series, 55-37-5, but has won the last three, all by double digits. In Dallas, Texas holds a 43-33-4 advantage. The Sooners are gunning for their fourth straight victory in the series, something that hasn't happened since 1985-88. The last time either of these teams took four straight from the other was when Texas did so from 1989-92.

LAST MEETING
Oklahoma rallied from a 17-11 deficit with a string of 24 unanswered points in a 35-24 victory. Quentin Griffin rushed for 248 yards, the highest total of the Bob Stoops era and the Sooner defense permitted just 10 Texas first downs while picking off three passes and logging four quarterback sacks.

THE COACHES
Oklahoma: Bob Stoops (Iowa 78), now in his fifth season with the Sooners, is 48-9 overall. He is 3-1 in bowls, 3-0 in January bowls, 2-0 in BCS games, 27-7 vs. the Big 12, 15-5 vs. the Big 12 South, 12-2 vs. the Big 12 North, 2-0 in the Big 12 Championship game, 21-2 vs. non-conference foes, 26-1 at home, 14-6 on the road, 8-2 on neutral fields and 3-1 vs. Texas. Including a Cotton Bowl win at the end of the 2001 season, Stoops is 4-1 in Dallas and at the Cotton Bowl stadium.
Texas: Mack Brown (Florida State 74) is 53-16 in his sixth year at Texas.

ON THE AIR
ABC has the regional telecast. The broadcast team is Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color) and Jack Arute (sideline). The Sooner Network has the radio call with Bob Barry, Sr., (play-by-play), Merv Johnson (color) and Mark Rodgers (sideline).

SOUTH OF THE BORDER SUCCESS
Oklahoma has won 14 of its last 15 contests against schools from the state of Texas. OU has won eight of its last 10 on Texas soil. This year's Sooner roster includes 46 natives of the Lone Star state.

OKLAHOMA'S LAST GAME
A record-setting performance by QB Jason White and a stifling defense lifted Oklahoma to a 53-7 victory at Iowa State ...
White completed 26-of-34 passes for 384 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. The TD total tied a school record set twice in 1999 by Josh Heupel while the yardage was the fourth-best ever by a Sooner quarterback in a game. White's five touchdown tosses went to four different receivers and he completed passes to eight different receivers before finally hooking up with the team's top pass catcher, Brandon Jones.
Oklahoma racked up 613 yards of total offense, the most of the Bob Stoops era and the highest total by a Sooner team since the 1991 club got 618 against Virginia in the Gator Bowl.
Iowa State's lone touchdown came on a 77-yard interception return by Jamain Billups, who picked off back-up quarterback Paul Thompson in the fourth quarter. Only once did Iowa State's offense penetrate the OU 30 and that was on a desperation pass on the last play of the first half. Eleven of ISU's 14 possessions were halted on the Cyclones' side of the 50.
The Sooner defense logged six sacks while the OU offense surrendered none.
OU had 35 first downs to just 10 for the Cyclones.

SOONERS NO. 1
Oklahoma is ranked No. 1 in both polls and was the preseason No. 1, too. It is the ninth time overall and the first time since 1987 that the Sooners have entered a year atop the AP rankings. In four of those seasons, OU went on to win the national championship.
The Sooners are 63-6-0 when carrying the No. 1 ranking.
Oklahoma has the third-longest active streak in terms of consecutive weeks in the AP rankings. Michigan tops the list at 83, followed by Miami at 61 and OU at 59.

MAKING THEIR POINT(S)
Oklahoma scored at least 50 points in each of its last three games (52 vs. Fresno State, 59 vs. UCLA, 53 vs. Iowa State). That hadn't happened since the last three games of the 1956 season -- 67-14 over Missouri, 54-6 over Nebraska and 53-0 over Oklahoma State. That 56 club won the national championship. Never have the Sooners put up 'half-a-hundred,' as Barry Switzer used to say, in four straight games.
OU has scored on its first possession in all five games -- four field goals and one touchdown.

FLYING THE SOONER SKIES
Oklahoma 'worst' passing day (vs. UCLA) resulted in 243 yards. Last year's Sooner team exceeded 243 yards just four times ...
OU hasn't thrown more than 14 incompletions in a game this season. Sooner opponents have had more than 14 misfires in four of the five contests. OU averages one interception every 44.8 passing attempts, the foes average one every 19.8 attempts.
OU's 'worst' completion percentage this season was 61.1% at Alabama (22-of-36).
It's far too early to begin discussing records, but it's worth a mention that this team's completion percentage of .681 would obliterate the current school mark of .642 set in 2000. Four of the five top completion percentage marks at OU have been set since Bob Stoops arrived. The record for interception avoidance was set in 1992 when 2.5% of the aerials were picked. This team is currently at 2.2%.

YES, THERE IS A RUNNING GAME
Oklahoma's passing game has been potent. So much so that some have questioned the effectiveness of the running game. But the numbers point in a different direction ...
OU has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in four of its five games.
Over the last three contests, the Sooners have rushed for an average of 174.0 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry.

OU TOPS BIG 12 GRAD RATES
University of Oklahoma has announced that its students athletes achieved a record graduation rate of 74%, leading the Big 12 Conference. The graduation rate was announced as part of a national release by the NCAA. This report, which measures the class that entered in 1996, recognizes OU as one of 15 institutions that will receive a $20,000 achievement award sponsored by USA Today. The OU rate, which showed a 40% hike, experienced the greatest increase in I-A. OU also announced a record rate in football of 65%, which ranks No. 2 in the Big 12 behind Baylor's 75%. Eleven of 17 football players graduated. Four of the six who did not transferred in good academic standing.

THE WHITE STUFF
QB Jason White tore his left ACL in the 2001 game at Nebraska. He then tore his right ACL in last season's game against Alabama. In neither case was he injured by contact.
He has drilled 112-of-166 passes (.675) for 1,472 yards with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions. He threw two of his picks against UCLA and was hit on the release both times.
White is now No. 10 on OU's career passing list with 2,234 yards. He has played in 16 games.
In his nine career starts combined, White is 169-of-257 (.658) for 2,046 yards and 18 TDs with six interceptions. He did not play past the mid-point of the second quarter in two of those starts. OU is 8-1 in White's starts.
The 64-yard TD from White to Brandon Jones (vs. North Texas) was a personal long for both. White's 56-yard pass to Mark Clayton (vs. Fresno St.) was the second-longest of his career.
Has at least one completion of 45 yards in every game this season.
Rates high in several NCAA stats:No. 3 in passing efficiency (170.15), No. 15 in total offense (293.20), No. 3 in points responsible for (19.20), No. 16 in completions per game (22.40).

BEST FIVE-GAME QB STARTS
Here is a look at the best five-game starts by Oklahoma quarterbacks ...
Jason White's efficiency rating of 170.15 and his 67.5 completion percentage have never been exceeded at this point of the season.
His 16 touchdowns are No. 2.
His three tie for No. 2, but are lowest among those with at least 10 TD tosses.
*Only QBs with at least 50 attempts were considered ...

PERKING UP
Data on punt returner extraordinaire Antonio Perkins ...
He ranks No. 11 in the nation in average per return at 15.48. He's tops in touchdowns with three.
His three TD returns against UCLA gave him six for his career, just one off the longest-standing NCAA record, which also happens to be a Sooner record. OU's Jack Mitchell was the first of several to set the NCAA mark of seven from 1946-48. All six of Perkins' career returns have covered more than 50 yards.
With 999 career punt return yards, Perkins ranks No. 2 at OU behind Jarrail Jackson, who had 1,238 from 1996-99.

TURNOVERS TURNED OFF
Oklahoma has not lost a fumble this season (Ball State is the only other team that can make that claim). Between 362 total plays and 41 returns, that's 403 ball-handling opportunities. The Sooners have put the ball on the ground five times, but recovered all five. OU opponents have fumbled 11 times and lost three.
OU has had fewer turnovers than its opponent in 14 of 19 games over the last two seasons.
OU ranks No. 7 nationally in turnover margin at +1.40.

CATCHING ON
Oklahoma entered this season minus the top four pass catchers in school history (by receptions). RB Quentin Griffin, WR Curtis Fagan, WR Antwone Savage and TE Trent Smith all finished their eligibility last season. Couple that with the fact that Will Peoples, the top returning receiver with 39 catches a year ago, missed the first two games with a mild knee/ankle ailment, and the early-season performance by the receiving corps has been impressive ...
Through his first two seasons of eligibility, Brandon Jones had nine receptions for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Through five games this season, he has 28 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. In the opener against North Texas, Jones caught 10 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown. He also had a career-long grab of 64 yards in that game.
Mark Clayton, a junior, is fashioning some impressive career numbers. In 30 games, he has 93 receptions for 1,324 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has five career 100-yard receiving games. He is the first Sooner to exceed 100 yards in five games. Clayton's 56-yard reception against Fresno State was the longest of his career and his third of 50 or more yards.
Jejuan Rankins' three-yard touchdown reception from Jason White in the first quarter of the opener against North Texas was the first reception and touchdown of his career. The last player to score a touchdown on his first career pass reception was Arthur Guess in 1987 against Tulsa on a 21-yard play. Rankins later caught another TD in the game.
Mark Bradley had his first career reception at Alabama. He actually caught two passes in the game -- one for 35 yards and another for 44.

TREY GOOD FOR THREE
K Trey DiCarlo is off to a fast start this season...
He has made 9-of-10 field goals.
Five of his field goal makes came from 40 yards or longer. He had just three makes from at least 40 yards all of last season. He's 5-of-5 from 40 or longer this season.
Equaled his career-long field goal with a 46-yarder in the opener against North Texas.
His miss at Alabama ended a string of six consecutive field goal makes dating back to the Rose Bowl. He has made 16 of his last 18 field goal attempts and now ranks No. 7 on the school's career list with 25.
He has nine multiple field goal games including three this season.
He has 16 touchbacks on kickoffs. Last year, he had just nine all season.

JAMAUL
Oklahoma right tackle Jammal Brown is having an All-America type season. Through five games, he has 49 knockdowns and no sacks allowed.

WILL THAT BE PAPER OR PLASTIC?
Oklahoma has launched 179 passing attempts this season, but has suffered just four sacks. The Sooner defense has 18 sacks.
The Alabama game was the ninth in which a Stoops team did not surrender a sack, then the Iowa State game became the 10th (OU did not give up a sack to ISU in either game over the last two seasons). The others were the 1999 games against Indiana State, Texas A&M, Missouri and Iowa State; the 2000 game against Texas Tech; the 2001 game at Air Force and the 2002 outings against Texas Tech and Colorado.
OU's defense registered six sacks at Alabama and at Iowa State. Here's a look at the big sack games during Bob Stoops' time with the Sooners ...
Jan. 1, 2002 Arkansas (Cotton Bowl) 9 sacks
Nov. 23, 2002 Texas Tech   7 sacks
Oct. 4, 2003 Iowa State   6 sacks
Sept. 6, 2003 at Alabama   6 sacks
Jan. 1, 2003 Washington State (Rose Bowl) 6 sacks
Sept. 30, 2000 Kansas   6 sacks

ABOUT THE SOONER DEFENSE
OU ranks No. 2 nationally in total defense (245.4), No. 4 in pass efficiency defense (83.67), No. 4 in passing defense (141.20), No. 14 in scoring defense (15.0) and No. 27 in rushing defense (104.2).
From 1999-02, no college team had more interceptions than Oklahoma's 88. The Sooners also gave up just 88 touchdowns in that time, second only to Southern Miss' 78.
Oklahoma has forced at least one turnover in 51 of the 57 games (Stoops' tenure) and has at least one interception in 39 of the last 45 contests. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that OU has had multiple interceptions in 12 of the last 17 contests.
Sooner opponents have completed 50% of their passes just 22 times in the 57 games coached by Stoops.
OU foes have scored 14 or more points just 22 times in the last 57 games.
Under Stoops, the Sooners have five shutouts. Opponents failed to score more than seven points in 20 of the 57 games.
Last season, Oklahoma led the nation with 24 interceptions. It was the third straight season the team posted 20, a first at OU.
Over its last three bowl games, all in January and two as part of the BCS, OU has given up a grand total of 19 points. Only two touchdowns have been scored against the Sooner defense.

ABOUT THE SOONER OFFENSE
OU ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring offense (44.20), No. 5 in pass efficiency (168.65), No. 11 in passing offense (313.60) and No. 16 in total offense (453.80).
With 212 yards against Fresno State, Oklahoma has now exceeded the 200-yard rushing mark in eight games over the last two seasons (fell one yard shy at Iowa State).
OU ranked among the top 30 in the nation in scoring in each of Bob Stoops' four years.
Last season, the Sooners rushed for 190.6 yards per game, an increase of 71.2 yards over the previous season.
Under Bob Stoops, OU's offense has produced the career passing leader, the top four career receivers and the No. 4 career rusher in school history.
Over the last five seasons, the Sooners have scored 56 TDs that covered 25 or more yards.
The quick-striking offense has 154 scoring drives of two minutes or less under Bob Stoops.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS
A look at the OU special teams under Bob Stoops ...
Kickoff Returns -- There have been 24 returns of 25 yards or more with five touchdowns.
Punt Returns -- There have been 28 returns of 15 or more yards with 10 touchdowns.
Interceptions -- There have been 38 returns of 10 or more yards with 10 touchdowns.
Fumbles -- Two returns of 15 or more yards with two touchdowns.

ABOUT THE SPECIAL TEAMS
A look at special teams notes from Bob Stoops' era as OU's head coach ...
There have been 19 special teams touchdowns, including 12 in the last 28 regular season games. Those 12 came via four different plays -- five punt returns, two faked field goals, a blocked punt, a kickoff return and a faked punt. The special teams also own one safety.
OU has returned five kickoffs and 10 punts for touchdowns.
The Sooners have blocked 14 kicks.
The current special teams rank No. 9 in the nation in punt returns (15.48).

THIRD DOWN THOUGHTS
Both Oklahoma and its opponents have had 74 tries at third down. The Sooners converted 31, the opponents just 18.

MINUTE BY MINUTE
Oklahoma is just 42 seconds shy of having at least 30 minutes of possession time in every game this season (the Sooners had 29:18 vs. UCLA). The season-high came at Iowa State with a whopping 36:54, an advantage of 13:48.

BLAME IT ON BAMA
Ever since Alabama chalked up 19 first downs to just 13 for OU (second game of the season), the Sooners have been on a rampage. In the three games since the trip to Tuscaloosa, Oklahoma has 84 first downs to just 39 by the opponents. That number got real gaudy at Iowa State ... 35-10.

THAT'S A COMBINED 602 POUNDS ON THE PROWL
Two of OU's bigger linemen covered some serious ground in making plays this season ...
Jammal Brown (6-6, 313), OU's right tackle, ran down and tackled UCLA LB Spencer Havner at the end of a 72-yard interception return.
DT Tommie Harris (6-3, 289) covered 21 yards to tackle Iowa State receiver Jack Whitver from behind and force a fumble that OU's Derrick Strait recovered. When ISU QB Austin Flynn released the pass, Harris was four yards deep in the Cyclone backfield at the ISU 22. The tackle occurred at the ISU 43.

5 AND OH
Oklahoma is 5-0 for the fourth year in a row and the 22nd time in its history. The Sooners succeeded at reaching 6-0 17 times. OU hasn't lost a game prior to Oct. 27 since 1999.

SOONER STUFF
Under Bob Stoops, Oklahoma has held a double-digit lead in 49 of the 57 games ... the Sooners have not suffered back-to-back losses under Stoops ... OU is 34-23 in Big 12 play since the conference formed for the 1996 season, 26-7 since Bob Stoops arrived in 1999 ... twenty of the players listed on Oklahoma's depth chart are freshmen or sophomores ... the offensive line contains no seniors, but has a combined 108 starts.

For a side-by-side comparison of the two teams, please visit:
Sooner Gameday Central

If you're making the trip to Dallas, you'll need maps, directions and more:
OU-Texas Weekend

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors