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1939 ORANGE BOWL
Tennessee 17, OU 0 - January 2, 1939 at Miami, Fla.
This was the first Orange Bowl that featured two national powers as both teams were undefeated and untied. To lure the Sooners to Miami, the Orange Bowl director circled the Norman campus, leaving chalk messages that promoted the game. Tennessee’s powerful ground attack was too much for the Sooners, winners of 14 straight, as the Volunteers raced to a 17-0 victory in the fifth annual Orange Bowl. The victory was the 13th straight for the Vols, who were coached by Major Bob Neyland. The game was considered to be the roughest of all bowl games played that year as both teams combined for more than 200 yards in penalties.
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1947 GATOR BOWL
OU 34, N.C. State 13 - Jan. 1, 1947 at Jacksonville, Fla.
In a game that featured two of the marquee names in college football at the time, Oklahoma blasted North Carolina State 34-13 before an overflowing crowd of 10,000 in the second annual Gator Bowl. The Sooners did not take long to get on the scoreboard, two minutes to be exact, on an Eddie Davis one-yard plunge. N.C. State roared back to even the score, but OU put the game out of reach by scoring 20 second-quarter points and coasted from there. The marquee matchup was made possible because of the Tournament of Roses committee decision to match representatives of the Western Athletic Conference (now the Pac Ten) and the Big Nine, (now the Big 10). This agreement made it possible for teams not waiting for a possible Rose Bowl berth to be picked by the Gator Bowl committee.
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1949 SUGAR BOWL
OU 14, North Carolina 6 - Jan. 1, 1949 at New Orleans, La.
It was legendary Coach Bud Wilkinson’s first bowl game as the fifth-ranked and underdog Sooners took on the third-ranked and unbeaten North Carolina Tar Heels accompanied by their All-America tailback Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice. Oklahoma upset the 'Heels with the big play coming in the first quarter as linebacker Myrle Greathouse intercepted a pass and returned it 70 yards to set up Jack Mitchell’s one-yard run. The Sooners never trailed after that.
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1950 SUGAR BOWL
OU 35, Louisiana State 0 - Jan. 1, 1950 at New Orleans, La.
Wilkinson’s team was rated second in the nation and it was the first one of his squads to post an undefeated record, 10-0. The game was one-sided and still stands as the largest margin of victory in OU bowl history. One of the many Sooner big plays was Leon Heath’s OU bowl record-breaking 86-yard TD run. The game was marred by an early-week incident where a former LSU player was caught spying on Sooner practices. It was the only time in Wilkinson’s career that he publicly blasted an opponent.
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1951 SUGAR BOWL
Kentucky 13, OU 7 - Jan. 1, 1951 at New Orleans, La.
OU won its first national championship by going a perfect 10-0 in the regular season. However, Kentucky, coached by Paul “Bear” Bryant, upset the Sooners and broke a 31-game OU winning streak. OU lost a bowl-record five fumbles in falling behind 13-0. A fourth quarter 17-yard TD pass by Billy Vessels narrowed the margin but a come-from-behind effort was foiled by an interception in the final minute of play.
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1954 ORANGE BOWL
OU 7, Maryland 0 - Jan. 1, 1954 at Miami, Fla.
It was the first game of the contract that pitted the Big Seven champion against the Atlantic Coast Conference champ. Maryland came into the game as the regular season national champion with OU rated fourth. Twice, the Terrapins had first down with the ball inside the 10-yard line, and both times the Sooner defense refused to allow any points on the scoreboard. Sooner tailback Larry Grigg scored the only TD of the game with a 25-yard scamper in the second period. The 1954 bowl game was the first bowl game in which the players had to play both ways. Sooner hero Grigg also played defensive back.
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1956 ORANGE BOWL
OU 20, Maryland 6 - Jan. 2, 1956 at Miami, Fla.
This time it was OU that carried the number one ranking into the game with Maryland ranked third, having lost just one game during the regular season. The Sooners, a perfect 10-0 and in the midst of their 47-game winning streak, trailed 6-0 at the half. The Sooners went into their famous “fast break offense” in the second half and scored three times to post their second Orange Bowl victory. It was the second national championship for Oklahoma.
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1958 ORANGE BOWL
OU 48, Duke 21 - Jan. 1, 1958 at Miami, Fla.
The 47-game winning streak had been broken earlier in the season, but the Sooners still came into the game ranked No. 4. Duke, the ACC winner, was unranked. Oklahoma got only six first downs, lost the total offense battle (328 yards to 279) and picked up an OU bowl-record 165 yards in penalties, but used two interception returns for TD, including an OU bowl record 94-yarder from David Baker, two fumble recoveries, a blocked punt and a bad snap from center to win going away. The 48 points marked an all-time OU bowl record that stood until matched by the '91 Gator Bowl team.
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1959 ORANGE BOWL
OU 21, Syracuse 6 - Jan. 1, 1959 at Miami, Fla.
Waiving the “no repeat rule” because of a new bowl contract, the Sooners played in their second consecutive Orange Bowl, defeating the Orangemen from Syracuse, 21-6. The Sooners were led by Prentice Gautt who scored the game’s first TD on the second play of the game with a 42-yard run. Gautt averaged an OU bowl-record 15.7-yards every time he touched the ball. It was the Sooners’ fourth straight Orange Bowl victory. Oklahoma ended the season ranked fifth in the nation, its only loss a one-pointer to Texas.
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1963 ORANGE BOWL
Alabama 17, OU 0 - Jan. 1, 1963 at Miami, Fla.
It was Bud Wilkinson’s last bowl game. Paul “Bear” Bryant, coaching his alma mater, repeated his victory as the coach at Kentucky in the 1951 Sugar Bowl with a 17-0 triumph. LB Lee Roy Jordan, the MVP, and quarterback Joe Namath led the Crimson Tide to the victory. The Sooners had first and goal twice in the first half, but fumbles ended OU’s chances and the Sooners never really threatened again. The lone highlight for the Oklahoma team was a visit by President John F. Kennedy to the Sooners’ locker room. Although President Kennedy claimed neutrality, it was obvious by the grimace on his face he was backing the Oklahoma team.
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1965 GATOR BOWL
Florida State 36, OU 19 - Jan. 2, 1965 at Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida State used a sophisticated passing attack to win easily. To add insult to injury, four of the Seminoles’ TD passes were thrown on fourth-down plays. Four Oklahoma players had been found ineligible the night before the game because they had signed pro contracts which was in violation of NCAA rules. FSU wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff finished the game with 13 receptions for 192 yards and four TDs.
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1968 ORANGE BOWL
OU 26, Tennessee 24 - Jan. 1, 1968 at Miami, Fla.
Oklahoma had won the Big Eight title in Chuck Fairbank’s first year as head coach. Although a slight underdog to the Vols, OU broke out to a 19-0 halftime lead. Tennessee came back to narrow the Sooner lead to 19-17 before Oklahoma defensive back Bob Stephenson picked off a pass and raced 24 yards to give OU an all important insurance TD. The Sooners desperately needed the insurance when Dewey Warren plowed in from a yard out. The Volunteers then missed a potential game-winning field goal as the gun went off.
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1968 BLUEBONNET BOWL
SMU 28, OU 27 - Dec. 31, 1968 at Houston, Texas
OU led 20-6 entering the fourth but SMU’s Chuck Hixson, passing for 281 yards, led a comeback that produced a 28-21 lead. OU, without injured QB Bob Warmack, narrowed the margin to one on a pass from Mickey Ripley, but missed a two-point conversion for the lead. One last chance came after recovering an onside kick but a field goal attempt from inside the SMU 30-yard line went wide as time expired.
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1970 BLUEBONNET BOWL
OU 24, Alabama 24 - Dec. 31, 1970 at Houston, Texas
The emergence of the wishbone and Greg Pruitt were late-season developments that propelled OU to four wins in its last five games and a postseason invitation. The Sooners had switched to the wishbone and they were running it to perfection by the time the bowl game rolled around. The “bone” produced 349 yards rushing and touchdown runs of 58 and 25 yards by All-American Greg Pruitt, but the Sooners still needed a late field goal by Bruce Derr to forge the tie with the Crimson Tide.
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1972 SUGAR BOWL
OU 40, Auburn 22 - Jan. 1, 1972 at New Orleans, La.
OU had lost only one game, the “Game of the Century” to Nebraska on Thanksgiving Day. Auburn featured Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan. It was run versus pass, with OU’s runners prevailing. The Sooners roared to a 31-0 halftime lead and amassed 439 yards rushing by game’s end, a new Oklahoma and Sugar Bowl record. QB Jack Mildren, playing in the final game of his brilliant college career, scored a Sugar Bowl record three times. OU finished second in the polls to Nebraska with another Big Eight team, Colorado, finishing third.
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1972 SUGAR BOWL
OU 14, Penn State 0 - Dec. 31, 1972 at New Orleans, La.
Played for the first time on New Year’s Eve, the Sugar Bowl brought the Big Eight Champion Sooners to do battle with Joe Paterno’s fifth-ranked Nittany Lions. The Sooner defense posted a shutout while allowing only 11 first downs and 49 yards rushing the entire game. It was the first year that freshmen were eligible and Sooner wide receiver Tinker Owens celebrated with five catches, good for 132 yards and one touchdown. It was also the last game for Sooner head coach Chuck Fairbanks who left for the NFL the following spring.
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1976 ORANGE BOWL
OU 14, Michigan 6 - Jan. 1, 1976 at Miami, Fla.
It was Oklahoma’s first bowl trip under legendary head coach Barry Switzer and a storybook setting. Ohio State, the No. 1-ranked team in the country, had lost in the Rose Bowl earlier in the afternoon. The upset gave the Sooners an opportunity to win the national championship if they could beat the Michigan Wolverines coached by Bo Schembechler. A 39-yard end around by Billy Brooks and a nine-yard keeper by Steve Davis were enough for a 14-6 victory and a fifth national championship.
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1976 FIESTA BOWL
OU 41, Wyoming 7 - Dec. 25, 1976 at Tempe, Ariz.
This was a mismatch that was decided early on as Oklahoma rolled up almost 500 yards in total offense and cruised to an easy victory. The Sooners led 27-0 at the third quarter mark before the reserves added two more scores in the fourth period. OU did not punt the entire game, the only time in Sooner bowl history that had happened.
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1978 ORANGE BOWL
Arkansas 31, OU 6 - Jan. 2, 1978 at Miami, Fla.
Called by Barry Switzer, “the most disappointing loss of my career,” OU was a victim of one of the biggest upsets in bowl history. When Notre Dame downed Texas in the Cotton Bowl, OU was in the running for a national championship. A big win over Arkansas might impress the voters and secure the crown for the Sooners. As a result, Switzer went against his own strategy by choosing to receive the opening kickoff rather than play defense. OU fumbled inside its own 10 on the third play of the game and Arkansas immediately scored for a lead it never relinquished.
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1979 ORANGE BOWL
OU 31, Nebraska 24 - Jan. 1, 1979 at Miami, Fla.
A truly amazing turn of events produced a rematch after Nebraska’s victory in November. The Sooners, ranked No. 1 with one loss, had lost a heartbreaker to the Cornhuskers, 17-14, on a late fumble at the NU three-yard line. When the Huskers were upset the following week by Missouri, producing a Big Eight Championship tie, the Orange Bowl officials came up with the idea of a rematch, much to the Sooners’ joy and the Huskers’ shock. It went as predicted: an Oklahoma victory.
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1980 ORANGE BOWL
OU 24, Florida State 7 - Jan. 1 1980 at Miami, Fla.
The Big Eight Champion Sooners met an undefeated Florida State team on New Year’s night. After the Seminoles took a 7-0 first-quarter lead, OU unleashed 17 second-quarter points to take the lead for good. J.C. Watts was named Orange Bowl MVP on offense. He scored on a 61-yard option play and rushed for more than 100 yards. Bud Hebert, who recorded three interceptions, earned the award on defense. Billy Sims wrapped up his brilliant collegiate career scoring on a 22-yard pitch from Watts. Oklahoma finished third in the country and won the Orange Bowl for the third time in five tries under Switzer. The Seminoles crossed midfield only two times after the first quarter and never passed the 35-yard line.
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1981 ORANGE BOWL
OU 18, Florida State 17 - Jan. 1, 1981 at Miami, Fla.
This contest featured a rematch with a great deal more excitement as OU turned to a foreign weapon, the pass, to notch its third straight Orange Bowl win. QB J.C. Watts was chosen MVP and with good reason. The Seminoles used a fourth-quarter TD to break a 10-10 tie and seemingly gain control. OU was forced to start deep in its own territory after the kickoff with little time left. Watts went to work and passed the Sooners to the 11-yard line where he hit Steve Rhodes with a TD strike to pull the Sooners to within one with less than a minute to go. Watts then proceeded to hit tight end Forrest Valora for the two-point conversion that gave the Sooners their ninth Orange Bowl victory, including three in the last four years. Oklahoma finished ranked No. 3 in the nation.
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1981 SUN BOWL
OU 40, Houston 14 - Dec. 26, 1981 at El Paso, Texas
A season that produced four losses for Oklahoma ended on a bright note with an easier than anticipated 40-14 victory over Houston. MVP Darrell Shepard, who began his career at the UH, scored two touchdowns against his former team. The Sooners scored 30 fourth-quarter points to turn a seat squirmer into a rout. Freshman Fred Sims rolled up 181 yards rushing in the game after rushing for just 179 in the regular season.
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1983 FIESTA BOWL
Arizona State 32, OU 21 - Jan. 1, 1983 at Tempe, Ariz.
The magic of Marcus Dupree ran out as the Sun Devils rallied for 14 fourth-quarter points to win the first meeting between the two. Dupree ran wild early, amassing 239 yards before recurrent leg injuries forced him out in the third quarter. The turning point came when Oklahoma punter Michael Keeling could not get his punt away and was forced to throw an illegal pass. The Devils took over at the OU 43 and later scored when Darryl Clack raced 15 yards for at TD.
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1985 ORANGE BOWL
Washington 28, OU 17 - Jan. 1, 1985 at Miami, Fla.
Brigham Young was No. 1 in the polls, but Sooner head coach Barry Switzer had argued that the Sooners should be No. 1 because of a tougher schedule. A win over a fine Husky team would solidify that claim. However, Washington refused to cooperate and turned a 17-14 fourth-quarter deficit into a 28-17 triumph. The game was marked by a bizarre incident when, after an Oklahoma field goal, the Sooner Schooner raced onto the field as called for by tradition. The only problem was the drivers apparently had not received the proper permission for the trip. The team was penalized 15 yards and the loss of the three points.
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1986 ORANGE BOWL
OU 26, Penn State 10 - Jan. 1, 1986 at Miami, Fla.
A swarming defense, a record field goal performance and two big plays helped the Oklahoma Sooners defeat Penn State to capture both the Orange Bowl and the program’s sixth national championship. Butkus Award winner Brian Bosworth had 13 solo tackles and the Oklahoma secondary picked off four Penn State passes to thwart any rallies. Tim Lashar booted an Orange Bowl record four field goals to give the Sooners an early lead. Lydell Carr and Keith Jackson then provided big plays, a 61-yard jaunt by Carr and a 71-yard pass play from Jamelle Holieway to Jackson.
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1987 ORANGE BOWL
OU 42, Arkansas 8 - Jan. 1, 1987 at Miami, Fla.
After nine years, Barry Switzer avenged his most embarrassing loss, coaching Oklahoma to a 42-8 rout of Arkansas. LB Danté Jones, playing in place of All-American Brian Bosworth, led the defense which held the Hogs to just 48 rushing yards. Spencer Tillman gained 109 yards rushing on just seven carries. His totals included a 77-yard TD to give OU the early 7-0 lead. Todd Thomsen set an Orange Bowl record with five punts for a 47.6-yard average.
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1988 ORANGE BOWL
Miami 20, OU 14 - Jan. 1, 1988 at Miami, Fla.
The Sooners’ hopes of winning their seventh national championship were put to rest by Miami, 20-14. The Hurricanes took the opening kickoff and moved 65 yards in eight plays for a 7-0 lead, then never looked back. The Sooner offense, which led the nation in six categories, was held to only 179 rushing yards and 255 overall. Late in the fourth quarter, the Sooners scored on a 29-yard fumblerooski which gave the Oklahoma faithful a flicker of hope. The Hurricane defenders blew it out when they sacked quarterback Charles Thompson and caused a fumble to ensure the victory.
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1989 CITRUS BOWL
Clemson 13, OU 6 - Jan. 2, 1989 at Orlando, Fla.
After a dry three quarters and the score deadlocked at 6-6, Clemson held off a late Sooner rally to post a 13-6 victory and give the ACC its first victory over the Sooners in 16 tries. On the Sooners’ last possession, OU took the ball over on its own 20 with 2:59 left on the clock. QB Jamelle Holieway, playing in his final game, scampered 11 yards on a fourth down to keep the drive alive. Holieway then completed passes of five, seven, four, 12, seven, 12 and 13 yards, to get OU inside the Tiger 14 with 12 seconds remaining. Two desperation heaves by Holieway dropped incomplete to end all Oklahoma hopes.
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1991 GATOR BOWL
OU 48, Virginia 14 - Dec. 29, 1991 at Jacksonville, Fla.
Cale Gundy unleashed one of the greatest passing efforts in school history as Oklahoma crushed Virginia, 48-14. Gundy was 25-of-31, including 11 straight completions, for 329 yards and two TDs. The Sooners scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions to put the game out of reach before halftime. The OU defense never allowed the Cavaliers inside the 20. The 48 points tied the OU bowl game record (48-21 over Duke in the '58 Orange Bowl).
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1993 JOHN HANCOCK BOWL
OU 41, Texas Tech 10 - Dec. 24, 1993 at Memphis, Tenn.
QB Cale Gundy brilliantly guided Oklahoma’s offense and the Sooner defense slowed Doak Walker Award winner Bam Morris as OU claimed a 41-10 win. The Sooners scored the first two times they had the ball. Another Gundy TD pass boosted the lead to 21-3. Just over a minute later, the game MVP hit again and Oklahoma was cruising at halftime 28-3. Meanwhile, the nation’s second-leading rusher was held to just 95 yards by the Sooner defense.
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1994 COPPER BOWL
BYU 31, OU 6 - Dec. 29, 1994 at Tucson, Ariz.
After completing its worst regular season in 30 years, and playing under a head coach who had resigned, Oklahoma ended its season with a dismal 31-6 loss. The Sooners started reserve QB Terence Brown, who had completed one of three passes on the season. Season starter Garrick McGee had contracted spinal meningitis and was unable to play. OU’s defense surrendered 485 yards and four touchdowns through the air. BYU’s John Walsh set Copper Bowl records for completions (31) and TD passes (4). Sooner linebacker Broderick Simpson was Defensive Player of the Game with 13 tackles, a sack and a broken up pass.
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