Hats Off to Sooner Fans

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They Said It

"I should start by saying how much I appreciate the fans. I have a game ball here for the fans. I've always envisioned a loud and raucous crowd to influence a game and they sure did tonight. I appreciate it and the team does, too."
-- Head Coach Bob Stoops

"You come to Oklahoma to be a part of games like that. We were just so amped up and the crowd was behind us. It was an exciting night."
-- R-Freshman LB Austin Box

"That's by far the best atmosphere I have ever played in anywhere, and I think that had a huge impact. I don't think they realize how much we feed off the crowd's energy and for them to be such a big part in tonight's game really helped us. I can't remember a game where I've ever had near this much fun."
-- Sophomore QB Sam Bradford

"The one part when they were playing the music and everybody was jumping around and going crazy, that got everybody up."
-- Senior WR Manuel Johnson

"Man, did y'all hear them? Nobody left, they stayed the whole game.I'm glad they cheered the way they did. I love our fans."
-- Sophomore DT Gerald McCoy

"I don't think anyone left throughout the game. The crowd was amazing. I would give the fans a game ball too."
-- R-Freshman LB Travis Lewis

NORMAN, Okla. -- It was perhaps the loudest it's ever been.

Deafening from start to finish, the atmosphere at Memorial Stadium Saturday night showed just how much a raucous environment can impact a game, as the Sooners dismantled Texas Tech in front of a record crowd of 85,646.

Already in a frenzy with the Sooners dominating near the end of the first half, the place nearly imploded when the entire stadium began bouncing up and down to the tune of House of Pain's "Jump Around", a melody that continued to ring loud through the remainder of the game.

"Jump Around" by OU Faithful
The scene at Memorial Stadium as 85,000 fans bounce up and down to the tune of "Jump Around".

Coach Stoops acknowledged the crowd's influence on the victory, first by bowing down to every corner of the stadium before he walked off the field, then by awarding the fans a game ball at the beginning of his postgame press conference.

Stoops Gives Game Ball to Fans
Coach Stoops acknowledged the fans by giving them a game ball following the victory.

Sooner players took a celebratory victory lap after the game, giving high-fives to everyone within arms reach of the first few rows, and shouts of "Heisman, Heisman!" echoed throughout the stadium as quarterback Sam Bradford sat down with the ESPN GameDay crew following the game.

The student section, which was filled to the brim an hour-and-a-half before kickoff, remained crammed long after the final whistle had blown.

It was simply a scene that no one wanted to leave, and one that will not be forgotten for quite some time.

For your efforts Saturday night and your support all season long, we just want to say...

"Thanks fans!"

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Related News | Boomer Bytes
• From the Dallas Morning News: "A crowd of 85,646 made its presence known from the opening kickoff..."

• Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated: "Nearly the entire stadium stayed until the final gun to salute their conquering heroes even though they'd put away Texas Tech by halftime ..."

• John Hoover of the Tulsa World: "Stoops stopped in front of the churning Oklahoma student section, put his hands above his head and bowed down to the fierce tribe..."

• Steven Jones of the OU Daily: "It's that kind of excitement, that kind of support, and that kind of love that makes college football what it is..."

• Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: "The stadium speakers blared the song "Jump Around" by House of Pain, and nearly every OU fan started bouncing up and down..."

• Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star: "'That's the most fun I ever had playing a football game,' Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford said. The party was on..."

• John Shinn of the Norman Transcript: "Owen Field was overfilled Saturday night. Most expected to see a game they'd never seen before..."

• John Rohde of the Oklahoman: "After being called out, Sooner football fans responded with a shout out..."

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