Completed Event: Football at Temple on September 13, 2025 , Win , 42, to, 3
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Bedlam Remembered: 1985 Ice Bowl
November 18, 2007 | Football
NORMAN, Okla. -- Saturday's matchup between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will mark the 102nd meeting in the history of the Bedlam Series.
One of college football greatest and most-played intrastate rivalries, the two schools have squared off every year since 1910, with 1905 and 1909 marking the only seasons OU and OSU have not met since their first game in Guthrie, Okla. in 1904.
Of all the great rivalries in college football, no one has dominated their in-state opponent more than the Sooners have owned the Cowboys. Oklahoma boasts a 78-16-7 mark all-time over its neighbors from Stillwater.
But despite OU's dominance, the Bedlam Series has seen its share of memorable games over the years, perhaps none more than the 1985 Ice Bowl. Freezing rain and sleet throughout the day, combined with temperatures in the low 20s, turned OSU's Lewis Field into a skating rink. Thunder and lightning even threatened during the game, the same day winter storm warnings and tornado watches were issued at the same time in other parts of the state.
And while the game is most remembered for its harsh weather conditions, often forgotten is the fact that it featured two top 20 teams and pitted a top running back, OSU's Thurman Thomas, against OU's renowned rushing defense.
This week, the Boomerblast takes a look back at the Ice Bowl, forever frozen in time as one of the most memorable games in Bedlam Series history.
"These were the worst conditions I've ever seen any game played under."
Legendary head coach Barry Switzer pretty much said what everyone felt about this game.
The "Ice Bowl" was played in sub-zero temperatures on an ice and snow covered Lewis Field which had both teams wishing they were already heading to Florida for their bowl games. Oklahoma State had received an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl, while the Sooners had wrapped up the Big Eight title a week earlier by defeating Nebraska.
With a national championship on the line, the Sooners weren't looking past the Cowboys. Oklahoma wrapped up its first perfect conference season in five years by shutting out OSU 13-0 before a national television audience.
The Sooner defense was impenetrable, never allowing the Cowboys inside the 21-yard line and letting them across midfield only four times. Meanwhile, the OU offense took advantage of great field position to move the ball well enough to score two field goals and a touchdown.
Led by All-America noseguard Tony Casillas and linebacker Brian Bosworth, the Oklahoma defense held OSU to 131 yards in total offense. The majority of the yardage came from future NFL All-Pro Thurman Thomas, who became the first back that season to rush for 100 yards against the Sooners.
OU freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway, a southern California native playing in snow for the first time, looked like a natural, completing four of five passes for 54 yards and rushing for 51 yards in the miserable conditions.
Oklahoma began its first scoring march at the end of the first period, driving 53 yards before stalling and letting Tim Lashar kick a 27-yard field goal.
Later, with 2:20 remaining in the first half, the Sooners took advantage of a poor punt to start a touchdown drive from the OSU 22. Holieway began the drive with an 11-yard pass to Derrick Shepard. After fullback Lydell Carr had banged away for nine and two yards, Holieway lunged for seven to the OSU three. Spencer Tillman scored on the next play.
The Cowboys mounted their only real threat of the night midway through the third period, moving from their own one-yard line to the Oklahoma 21 before a missed field goal doomed them.
OU tacked on its final points when Lashar toed his second field goal, a 30-yarder with 5:44 remaining in the game.
• The game was the first in the history of the series to be played under the lights.
• The victory marked the first time the Sooners had blanked the Cowboys since 1958.
• Oklahoma extended a streak of consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown to 20.
• Following a 35-13 victory over SMU in the regular season finale, OU went on to claim its sixth national championship with a 25-10 victory over No. 1 Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
• Linebacker Brian Bosworth, noseguard Tony Casillas and defensive end Kevin Murphy earned first team All-America honors.
• Casillas became the second Sooner to earn the Lombardi Award as college football's outstanding lineman, while Bosworth was honored as the inaugural Butkus Award winner as the nation's best linebacker.
• Holieway was named Big Eight Offensive Newcomer of the Year after replacing an injured Troy Aikman four games into the season. Aikman transferred to UCLA the following year.
• Four other Sooners, OT Anthony Phillips, OG Mark Hutson, TE Keith Jackson and DE Darrell Reed were also named to the All-Big Eight first team.
One of college football greatest and most-played intrastate rivalries, the two schools have squared off every year since 1910, with 1905 and 1909 marking the only seasons OU and OSU have not met since their first game in Guthrie, Okla. in 1904.
Of all the great rivalries in college football, no one has dominated their in-state opponent more than the Sooners have owned the Cowboys. Oklahoma boasts a 78-16-7 mark all-time over its neighbors from Stillwater.
But despite OU's dominance, the Bedlam Series has seen its share of memorable games over the years, perhaps none more than the 1985 Ice Bowl. Freezing rain and sleet throughout the day, combined with temperatures in the low 20s, turned OSU's Lewis Field into a skating rink. Thunder and lightning even threatened during the game, the same day winter storm warnings and tornado watches were issued at the same time in other parts of the state.
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And while the game is most remembered for its harsh weather conditions, often forgotten is the fact that it featured two top 20 teams and pitted a top running back, OSU's Thurman Thomas, against OU's renowned rushing defense.
This week, the Boomerblast takes a look back at the Ice Bowl, forever frozen in time as one of the most memorable games in Bedlam Series history.
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November 30, 1985: The Ice Bowl |
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Legendary head coach Barry Switzer pretty much said what everyone felt about this game.
The "Ice Bowl" was played in sub-zero temperatures on an ice and snow covered Lewis Field which had both teams wishing they were already heading to Florida for their bowl games. Oklahoma State had received an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl, while the Sooners had wrapped up the Big Eight title a week earlier by defeating Nebraska.
With a national championship on the line, the Sooners weren't looking past the Cowboys. Oklahoma wrapped up its first perfect conference season in five years by shutting out OSU 13-0 before a national television audience.
The Sooner defense was impenetrable, never allowing the Cowboys inside the 21-yard line and letting them across midfield only four times. Meanwhile, the OU offense took advantage of great field position to move the ball well enough to score two field goals and a touchdown.
Led by All-America noseguard Tony Casillas and linebacker Brian Bosworth, the Oklahoma defense held OSU to 131 yards in total offense. The majority of the yardage came from future NFL All-Pro Thurman Thomas, who became the first back that season to rush for 100 yards against the Sooners.
OU freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway, a southern California native playing in snow for the first time, looked like a natural, completing four of five passes for 54 yards and rushing for 51 yards in the miserable conditions.
Oklahoma began its first scoring march at the end of the first period, driving 53 yards before stalling and letting Tim Lashar kick a 27-yard field goal.
Later, with 2:20 remaining in the first half, the Sooners took advantage of a poor punt to start a touchdown drive from the OSU 22. Holieway began the drive with an 11-yard pass to Derrick Shepard. After fullback Lydell Carr had banged away for nine and two yards, Holieway lunged for seven to the OSU three. Spencer Tillman scored on the next play.
The Cowboys mounted their only real threat of the night midway through the third period, moving from their own one-yard line to the Oklahoma 21 before a missed field goal doomed them.
OU tacked on its final points when Lashar toed his second field goal, a 30-yarder with 5:44 remaining in the game.
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Game Notes |
• The game was the first in the history of the series to be played under the lights.
• The victory marked the first time the Sooners had blanked the Cowboys since 1958.
• Oklahoma extended a streak of consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown to 20.
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The Aftermath |
• Following a 35-13 victory over SMU in the regular season finale, OU went on to claim its sixth national championship with a 25-10 victory over No. 1 Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
• Linebacker Brian Bosworth, noseguard Tony Casillas and defensive end Kevin Murphy earned first team All-America honors.
• Casillas became the second Sooner to earn the Lombardi Award as college football's outstanding lineman, while Bosworth was honored as the inaugural Butkus Award winner as the nation's best linebacker.
• Holieway was named Big Eight Offensive Newcomer of the Year after replacing an injured Troy Aikman four games into the season. Aikman transferred to UCLA the following year.
• Four other Sooners, OT Anthony Phillips, OG Mark Hutson, TE Keith Jackson and DE Darrell Reed were also named to the All-Big Eight first team.
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