The 1979 Oklahoma Sooners: An Undefeated Regular Season and Orange Bowl Victory
The 1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team, led by the legendary coach Barry Switzer, carved their name into Sooner history with a dominant season. Here’s a look back at their impressive run:
Undefeated Conference Season:
Switzer’s squad achieved a perfect 7-0 record in the Big 8 conference and an impressive 11-1 overall record. This marked Switzer’s fourth undefeated conference season in just seven years, showcasing his consistent excellence.
Offensive Juggernaut:
The Sooners were an offensive juggernaut, averaging a remarkable 31.8 points per game (ranked 3rd in the nation). This explosive offense proved to be a major advantage throughout the season, leaving defenses scrambling.
Key Players:
The team was led by All-Americans Billy Sims and George Cumby. Sims led the nation in scoring with 138 points. He also led the team in rushing with 1670 yards, J.C. Watts led the team in passing with 821 yards, Freddie Nixon led the team in receiving with 293 yards, Cumby led the team with 160 tackles and Bud Hebert posted 4 interceptions.
National Recognition:
The Sooners finished the season ranked #3 in the final AP poll.
Orange Bowl Champions:
The Sooners capped off their season with a dominant performance in the Orange Bowl, defeating the Florida State Seminoles 24-7. This convincing victory cemented their place as one of the nation’s top teams.
Legacy:
The 1979 Oklahoma Sooners solidified Coach Barry Switzer’s reputation as a coaching mastermind. Their undefeated conference record and dominant performance in the Orange Bowl cemented their place in Sooner history.
1979 Oklahoma Sooners Football Schedule:
- September 15: Iowa (W 21-6) – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
- September 22: Tulsa (W 49-13) – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
- September 29: at Rice (W 63-21) – Rice Stadium
- October 6: Colorado (W 49-24) – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
- October 13: vs. No. 4 Texas (L 7-16) – Cotton Bowl
- October 20: Kansas State (W 38-6) – KSU Stadium
- October 27: Iowa State (W 38-9) – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
- November 3: Oklahoma State (W 38-7) – Lewis Field
- November 10: Kansas (W 38-0) – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
- November 17: Missouri (W 24-22) – Faurot Field
- November 24: #3 Nebraska (W 17-14) – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
- January 1, 1980: #5 Florida State (W 24-7) – Miami Orange Bowl
This dominant 1979 season serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Oklahoma Sooners football.
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