Sooner Scrapbook: 1975 OU vs. Michigan

1975 OU vs. Michigan

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Nothing takes a viewer back in time quite like old video clips. A vintage photograph captures a moment in time but only video can truly immerse the viewer in the aura of the past. Join us as we travel back to witness the Sooners in action in these classic video clips from YouTube.

Two blue bloods of college football met on New Year's Day, 1976, when the Oklahoma Sooners battled Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The matchup would mark Barry Switzer's first bowl game as head coach of the Sooners.

The 1975 Sooners were ranked No. 3 behind top-ranked Ohio State and No. 2 Texas A&M. The Aggies had suffered a loss to Arkansas the first weekend of December but the wire services would not conduct another poll until after the bowl games. Ohio State was heavily-favored in the Rose Bowl against UCLA but dropped a 23-10 stunner to the Bruins.

Prior to kickoff, the Oklahoma fans roared when the upset from Pasadena was announced to the crowd. The door was open for the Sooners in the night game at the Orange Bowl.

The two videos below show the first and second halves of the Orange Bowl game between No. 3 Oklahoma (10-1) and No. 4 Michigan (8-0-2) on January 1, 1976.

A myriad of stars, with names familiar to any Sooner fan, were in action that night in Miami. You'll hear the announcers refer to OU quarterback (and Orange Bowl offensive MVP) Steve Davis (No. 5), halfback Joe Washington (No. 24), defensive tackle (and 1975 Outland and Lombardi winner) Lee Roy Selmon (No. 93), defensive tackle Dewey Selmon (No. 91), halfback Elvis Peacock (No. 4), receiver Tinker Owens (No. 11), defensive end Jimbo Elrod (No. 54), guard Terry Webb (No. 66) and receiver Billy Brooks (No. 82).

Oklahoma would go up, 14-0, before fumbling the ball midway through the fourth quarter and allow the Wolverines a gift TD. UM's two-point try was snuffed out and the Sooner defense would clamp down to preserve the win, 14-6.

The following day, the AP and UPI polls had Oklahoma No. 1 and the Sooners claimed their fifth National Championship. OU was the first program in college football history to win back-to-back titles twice (1955-1956 and 1974-1975). Lee Roy Selmon would go on to become the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft later that spring.

The biggest plays in the game are indicated on the timelines below the videos from the original NBC telecast. As a bonus, you can also enjoy the Pride of Oklahoma's halftime performance here.

First Half
Highlights in timeline:
0:48 - Announcers react to No. 1 Ohio State's loss
1:01 - Scott Hill makes INT for game's first turnover
2:11 - Excellent punt by Tinker Owens
2:48 - Lee Roy Selmon clamps down on UM runner
5:55 - Joe Washington quick kicks from end zone
6:55 - Huge pass from Davis to Tinker Owens
7:08 - Crazy 39-yard run for TD from Billy Brooks

Second Half
Highlights in timeline:
2:19 - Sidney Brown intercepts Michigan in end zone
2:50 - Closeup of Joe Washington's silver shoes
3:33 - Tackle for loss by Dewey Selmon
3:41 - Sack by Jimbo Elrod & Lee Roy Selmon
4:50 - Steve Davis scores OU's second touchdown
6:04 - Tackle for loss by Jimbo Elrod
6:44 - Washington escapes a safety
6:54 - OU fumbles to give Michigan easy touchdown
8:27 - Joe Washington makes a move
9:48 - Barry Switzer and Bo Schembechler shake

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Sooner Scrapbook: 1975 OU vs. Michigan

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