1973 Oklahoma Sooners football team

The 1973 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. Oklahoma participated as members of the Big Eight Conference and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where it has played its home games since 1923.[1] The team posted a 10–0–1 overall record and a 7–0 conference record to earn the Conference outright title under first-year head coach Barry Switzer.[2][3] This would be the first of eight consecutive Big Eight Conference championships for the Sooners with Switzer as head coach.[2]

1973 Oklahoma Sooners football
National Champion(CFRA, Sagarin)
Big 8 champion
ConferenceBig Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
APNo. 3
Record10–0–1 (7–0 Big 8)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorGalen Hall (1st season)
Offensive schemeWishbone
Defensive coordinatorLarry Lacewell (4th season)
Captains
Home stadiumOklahoma Memorial Stadium (capacity: 61,836)
1973 Big Eight Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 3 Oklahoma $ 7 –0 –010 –0 –1
No. 7 Nebraska 4 –2 –19 –2 –1
No. 18 Kansas 4 –2 –17 –4 –1
No. 17 Missouri 3 –4 –08 –4 –0
Oklahoma State 2 –3 –25 –4 –2
Colorado 2 –5 –05 –6 –0
Kansas State 2 –5 –05 –6 –0
Iowa State 2 –5 –04 –7 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The team was led by three All-Americans: Rod Shoate (Oklahoma's second three-time All-American)[4] the oldest of the Selmon brothers, Lucious,[5] and Eddie Foster.[5] The Selmon brothers Lucious, Lee Roy and Dewey started on the defensive line.[6] The team went undefeated on a schedule that included seven ranked opponents (In order, #1 USC, #17 Miami, #13 Texas, #13 Colorado, #10 Missouri, #18 Kansas, and #10 Nebraska). Five of these opponents finished the season ranked. The team tied with USC in the second game of the season before winning nine consecutive contests. It began the season ranked number 11 and steadily climbed in the polls as the season progressed.[3]

Joe Washington led the team in rushing with 1173 yards, Steve Davis led the team in passing yard for with 934 yards, Tinker Owens led the team in receiving with 472 yards, Davis led the team in scoring with 108 points, Shoate led the team in tackles with 126, and Randy Hughes led the team in interceptions with 5.[7]

Prior to the season in August, the Sooners were put on probation by the Big Eight Conference, which included a two-year ban on bowl appearances, and a two-year ban on television appearances (1974, 1975).[8]

Schedule
DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 15at Baylor*No. 11
W 42–1441,573
September 29at No. 1 USC*No. 8
T 7–783,986
October 6No. 17 Miami (FL)*No. 6
W 24–2062,040
October 13vs. No. 13 Texas*No. 6
ABCW 52–1372,032
October 20No. 16 ColoradodaggerNo. 3
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
W 34–761,826–62,580[9]
October 27at Kansas StateNo. 3
W 56–1429,523
November 3Iowa StateNo. 3
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
W 34–1761,876
November 10at No. 10 MissouriNo. 3
W 31–365,515
November 17No. 18 KansasNo. 3
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK
W 48–2060,961–64,122
November 23No. 10 NebraskaNo. 3
  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Norman, OK (rivalry)
ABCW 27–062,257
December 1at Oklahoma StateNo. 2
W 45–1850,964
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[3]

Personnel
1973 Oklahoma Sooners football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
OL 74 Jerry Arnold Jr
RB 20 Bob Berg Jr
WR 82 Billy Brooks Jr
RB Grant Burget
RB Waymon Clark
OL Kyle Davis
QB Steve Davis
OT 77 Eddie Foster (C) Sr
RB Jerry Foster
RB Randy Harris
QB 7 Scott Hill Fr
WR Wayne Hoffman
RB David James
RB Steve Jenkinson
RB Jim Littrell
QB Jeff Mabry
RB Danny McClure
RB Joe McReynolds So
WR 11 Tinker Owens So
OL John Roush
RB Clyde Russell
RB Joe Washington
OL Terry Webb
RB Tim Welch
RB Gary Young
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DE 88 Gary Baccus (C) Sr
DL Jimbo Elrod
DB Randy Hughes
DB Durwood Keeton
DB Terry Peters
DB Ken Pope
DB Clyde Powers
DT 91 Dewey Selmon So
DT 93 Lee Roy Selmon So
NG 98 Lucious Selmon (C) Sr
LB Rod Shoate
LB Dave Smith
DL Mike Struck
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K Tony DiRienzo
K 8 Rick Fulcher Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

Game summaries

At Baylor
#11 Oklahoma Sooners at Baylor Bears
1 234Total
• #11 Oklahoma 21 1407 42
Baylor 0 068 14
Scoring summary
1OklahomaDavis 3-yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 7-0
1OklahomaFoster recovered fumble in end zone (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 14-0
1OklahomaWashington 7-yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 21-0
2OklahomaWashington 13-yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 28-0
2OklahomaClark 50-yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 35-0
3BaylorDancer 6-yard pass from Jeffries (run failed)Oklahoma 35-6
4OklahomaDavis 27-yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 42-6
4BaylorKent 28-yard pass from Armstrong (Kent run)Oklahoma 42-14

[10]

At USC

Miami (FL)
1 234Total
Miami (FL) 7 1300 20
• Oklahoma 7 0143 24
Scoring summary
1OKLADavis 6 Yard Run (Fulcher Kick)Oklahoma 7–0
1MIAThompson 5 Yard Run (Huffman Kick)Tie 7-7
2MIAMitchell 79 Yard Pitchout Interception (Huffman kick)Miami (FL) 14-7
2MIAThompson 4 Yard Run (kick failed)Miami (FL) 20-7
3OKLADavis 13 Yard Run (Fulcher Kick)Miami (FL) 20-14
3OKLAOwens 52 Yard Pass from Davis (Fulcher Kick)Oklahoma 21-20
4OKLAFulcher 30 Yard Field GoalOklahoma 24-20

[11]

vs Texas
See also: Red River Rivalry
#6 Oklahoma Sooners (2–0) vs. #13 Texas Longhorns (2–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Oklahoma 7 14 141752
Texas 3 3 0713

at Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,204
  • TV: ABC
  • Box Score

Worst loss in Darrell Royal's coaching career [12]

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Oklahoma PassingSteve Davis5/6, 185 Yds, 2 TD
RushingJoe Washington12 Rush, 117 Yds
ReceivingTinker Owens4 Rec, 163 Yds, 2 TD
Texas PassingMarty Akins5/9, 64 Yds, INT
RushingRoosevelt Leaks20 Rush, 82 Yds
ReceivingPat Kelly4 Rec, 71 Yds

Colorado
1 234Total
Colorado 7 000 7
• Oklahoma 7 7713 34
Scoring summary
1COLMatthews 3-yard run (Lima kick)Colorado 7–0
1OKLAHoffman 37-yard pass from Davis (Fulcher kick)Tie 7–7
2OKLAHughes 90-yard interception return (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 14–7
3OKLADavis 1-yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 21–7
4OKLAClark 9-yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 28–7
4OKLARussell 12-yard run (kick failed)Oklahoma 34–7

[9]

At Kansas State
1 234Total
• Oklahoma 21 14147 56
Kansas St 0 770 14
  • Date: KSU Stadium
  • Location: October 27
  • Game attendance: 34,500
Scoring summary
1OKLAWelch 1 yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 7–0
1OKLAHoffman 13 yard pass from Davis (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 14–0
1OKLADavis 22 yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 21–0
2KSUHolman 4 yard pass from Grogan (Brumley kick)Oklahoma 21–7
2OKLADavis 27 yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 28–7
2OKLAWashington 1 yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 35–7
3OKLAWashington 6 yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 42–7
3OKLABrooks 34 yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 49–7
3KSUGrogan 2 yard run (Brumley kick)Oklahoma 49–14
4OKLABerg 9 yard run (Fulcher kick)Oklahoma 56–14

[13]

Iowa State
1 234Total
Iowa St 14 300 17
• Oklahoma 7 1377 34
Scoring summary
Q1OKLAWashington 30 yard run (Fulcher kick)OKLA 7–0
Q1ISUKrefple 16 yard pass from Stanley (Goedjen kick)Tie 7–7
Q1ISUKrefple 9 yard pass from Stanley (Goedjen kick)ISU 14–7
Q2ISUGoedjen 22 yard field goalISU 17–7
Q2OKLAJones 2 yard run (kick failed)ISU 17–13
Q2OKLABrooks 68 yard pass from Davis (Fulcher kick)OKLA 20–17
Q3OKLAHoffman 5 yard pass from Davis (Fulcher kick)OKLA 27–17
Q4OKLAWashington 1 yard run (Fulcher kick)OKLA 34–17

Joe Washington 136 Rush Yds [14]

At Missouri
#3 Oklahoma Sooners at #10 Missouri Tigers
1 234Total
• #3 Oklahoma 7 3129 31
#10 Missouri 3 000 3
Scoring summary
1MUHill 42-yard field goalMU 3-0
1OUWaymon Clark 14-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 7-3
2OURick Fulcher 39-yard field goalOU 10-3
3OUJoe Washington 26-yard run (kick failed)OU 16-3
3OUBilly Brooks 63-yard pass from Steve Davis (pass failed)OU 22-3
4OURick Fulcher 30-yard field goalOU 25-3
45:51OUJoe Washington 80-yard punt return (kick failed)OU 31-3

[15]

Kansas


Nebraska
#10 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #3 Oklahoma Sooners
1 234Total
#10 Nebraska 0 000 0
• #3 Oklahoma 14 067 27
Scoring summary
16:55OUWaymon Clark 2-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 7-0
10:01OUSteve Davis 47-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 14-0
32:37OUSteve Davis 1-yard run (pass failed)OU 20-0
42:11OUSteve Davis 8-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 27-0

[16]

At Oklahoma State
See also: Bedlam Series
#2 Oklahoma Sooners at Oklahoma State Cowboys
1 234Total
• #2 Oklahoma 7 14717 45
Oklahoma State 0 3312 18
Scoring summary
1OUSteve Davis 7-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 7-0
2OUWaymon Clark 7-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 14-0
2OSUDaigle 50-yard field goalOU 14-3
22:52OUSteve Davis 9-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 21-3
3OSUDaigle 36-yard field goalOU 21-6
3OUSteve Dodd recovered punt in end zone (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 28-6
4OURick Fulcher 38-yard field goalOU 31-6
4OUSteve Davis 8-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 38-6
4OUScott Hill 10-yard run (Rick Fulcher kick)OU 45-6
4OSUCharlie Weatherbie 8-yard run (pass failed)OU 45-12
4OSUCharlie Weatherbie 5-yard run (pass failed)OU 45-18

[17]

Rankings
See also: 1973 NCAA Division I football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
AP11 т1198 (1)6 (1.5)63 (8)3 (8)3 (9)3 (7)3 (10)3 (9)2 (20)2 (16)3 (16)

Awards and honors

Postseason

NFL draft

Seven Sooners were selected in the 1974 NFL Draft.[22]

Round Pick Player Position NFL Team
485Durwood KeetonDefensive backSt. Louis Cardinals
5110Gary BaccusLinebackerNew York Giants
5119Clyde PowersDefensive backNew York Jets
9227Ken PopeDefensive backOakland Raiders
12296Eddie FosterTackleNew England Patriots
14349David SmithLinebackerPhiladelphia Eagles
16399Lucious SelmonDefensive tackleNew England Patriots

References
  1. "Memorial Stadium". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  2. "OU Football Tradition – 42 Conference Titles". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  3. "1973 Football Season". SoonerStats.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  4. "All-American: Rod Shoate". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  5. "All-American: Lucious Selmon". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  6. Seays, Lillian (2005). "LEE ROY SELMON: Small Town Boy-Next-Door Makes Good". Onyx Magazine. Archived from the original on October 30, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  7. "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. p. 164. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  8. "Oklahoma on probation for 10 grid infractions". Nashua Telegraph. (New Hampshire). Associated Press. August 9, 1973. p. 15.
  9. "Sooners cruise by Colorado; Buckeyes, Michigan triumph". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. October 21, 1973. p. 4B.
  10. "Powerful Sooners Rip Baylor in 42-14 Game." Palm Beach Post. 1973 Sept 16.
  11. Palm Beach Post. 1973 Oct 7.
  12. "Sooners Slam Texas, 52-13." Palm Beach Post. October 14, 1973
  13. "Sooners Crush Wildcats." Palm Beach Post. 1973 Oct 28.
  14. "Sooners Get Past Cyclones." Palm Beach Post. 1973 Nov 4.
  15. "Powerful Sooners Rip Missouri, 31-3." Palm Beach Post. November 11, 1973
  16. "Nebraska vs. Oklahoma 1973 -- HuskerMax".
  17. "Sooners Corral Cowboys." Palm Beach Post. December 2, 1973
  18. "All-American: Eddie Foster". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  19. "ActivePaper Archive".
  20. "ActivePaper Archive".
  21. "ActivePaper Archive".
  22. "1974 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
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