1978 Oklahoma Sooners football team
Encyclopedia
The 1978 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma
in the college football
1978 NCAA Division I-A season
. Oklahoma Sooners football
participated in the former Big Eight Conference
at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
where it has played its home games since 1923. The team posted a 11–1 overall record and a 6–1 conference record to earn a share of the Conference title under head coach
Barry Switzer
who took the helm in 1973. This was Switzer's sixth conference title in six seasons.
The team was led by All-Americans Billy Sims
(who won the Heisman Trophy
), Daryl Hunt
, Reggie Kinlaw
, and Greg Roberts, After winning the conference title outright, it earned a trip to the for a rematch with conference Co-Champion Nebraska
to avenge its only loss of the season. During the season, it faced four different ranked opponents (In order, #14 , #6 , and #4 & #6 Nebraska). Four different opponents finished the season ranked. It endured its only defeat against Nebraska in their regular season match. The Sooners started the season with a nine consecutive wins before losing to Nebraska.
Sims led the nation in scoring with 132 points (based on per game average of 10.9, which includes 120 in 11 games). Sims led the team in rushing with a record-setting 1896 yards, Thomas Lott led the team in passing with 487 yards, Bobby Kimball
led the team in receiving with 207 yards, Hunt led the team with 157 tackles
and Darrol Ray
posted 8 interceptions.
The 5001 yards rushing remain second in Oklahoma football history behind the 1971 team's 5635. The defense set the school's all-time record with 28 interceptions and tied the record of 50 forced turnover
s. Daryl Hunt
set the school record for career tackles. Billy Sims
became the only Sooner to post four 200-yard games in a season. Sims' 1896 yards stood as the Sooner record until Adrian Peterson posted 1925 in 2004.
Billy Sims became the sixth junior to win the Heisman Trophy. Sims was the nation's leading rusher and scorer for 1978. He averaged 160.1 yards and 10.9 points. He set the Big Eight Conference single season rushing record of 1,762 yards on 231 carries for an average of 7.6 yards. Sims was the only back in the nation's top 50 to average 7.0 per carry, and became the first player in Big Eight history to rush for more than 300 yards in three straight games.
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in the college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
1978 NCAA Division I-A season
1978 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first season of Division I-A football; Division I-A was created in 1978 from the splitting of Division I for football only. The season came down to a rare #1 vs. #2 post-season meeting as #1 Penn State and #2 Alabama met in the New Year's Day Sugar...
. Oklahoma Sooners football
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
participated in the former Big Eight Conference
Big Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
The Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is the on-campus football facility for the University of Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Oklahoma. The official capacity of the stadium, following recent renovations, is 82,112, making it the 16th largest college stadium in the United States and the third...
where it has played its home games since 1923. The team posted a 11–1 overall record and a 6–1 conference record to earn a share of the Conference title under head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...
who took the helm in 1973. This was Switzer's sixth conference title in six seasons.
The team was led by All-Americans Billy Sims
Billy Sims
Billy Sims is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978.-Early years:...
(who won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
), Daryl Hunt
Daryl Hunt
Daryl Lynn Hunt was a professional American football player, a linebacker for six seasons for the Houston Oilers appearing in 78 career regular season games after being selected by Houston during the 6th round of the 1979 NFL Draft.-University:Hunt is considered one of the best University of...
, Reggie Kinlaw
Reggie Kinlaw
Reggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw (born January 9, 1957 is a former American football defensive tackle who played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League. He graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School....
, and Greg Roberts, After winning the conference title outright, it earned a trip to the for a rematch with conference Co-Champion Nebraska
1978 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1978 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
to avenge its only loss of the season. During the season, it faced four different ranked opponents (In order, #14 , #6 , and #4 & #6 Nebraska). Four different opponents finished the season ranked. It endured its only defeat against Nebraska in their regular season match. The Sooners started the season with a nine consecutive wins before losing to Nebraska.
Sims led the nation in scoring with 132 points (based on per game average of 10.9, which includes 120 in 11 games). Sims led the team in rushing with a record-setting 1896 yards, Thomas Lott led the team in passing with 487 yards, Bobby Kimball
Bobby Kimball (American football)
Bobby Kimball is a former wide receiver in the National Football League. He was a member of the Green Bay Packers for two seasons....
led the team in receiving with 207 yards, Hunt led the team with 157 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
and Darrol Ray
Darrol Ray
Darrol Anthony Ray is a former American football player for the New York Jets of the National Football League.-Early years:...
posted 8 interceptions.
The 5001 yards rushing remain second in Oklahoma football history behind the 1971 team's 5635. The defense set the school's all-time record with 28 interceptions and tied the record of 50 forced turnover
Turnover (football)
In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball loses possession of the ball, which is then gained by the other team. The two events that are officially classified as "turnovers" are fumbles or interceptions In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball...
s. Daryl Hunt
Daryl Hunt
Daryl Lynn Hunt was a professional American football player, a linebacker for six seasons for the Houston Oilers appearing in 78 career regular season games after being selected by Houston during the 6th round of the 1979 NFL Draft.-University:Hunt is considered one of the best University of...
set the school record for career tackles. Billy Sims
Billy Sims
Billy Sims is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978.-Early years:...
became the only Sooner to post four 200-yard games in a season. Sims' 1896 yards stood as the Sooner record until Adrian Peterson posted 1925 in 2004.
Billy Sims became the sixth junior to win the Heisman Trophy. Sims was the nation's leading rusher and scorer for 1978. He averaged 160.1 yards and 10.9 points. He set the Big Eight Conference single season rushing record of 1,762 yards on 231 carries for an average of 7.6 yards. Sims was the only back in the nation's top 50 to average 7.0 per carry, and became the first player in Big Eight history to rush for more than 300 yards in three straight games.
Schedule
Awards and honors
- All-American: Billy SimsBilly SimsBilly Sims is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978.-Early years:...
, Daryl HuntDaryl HuntDaryl Lynn Hunt was a professional American football player, a linebacker for six seasons for the Houston Oilers appearing in 78 career regular season games after being selected by Houston during the 6th round of the 1979 NFL Draft.-University:Hunt is considered one of the best University of...
, Reggie KinlawReggie KinlawReggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw (born January 9, 1957 is a former American football defensive tackle who played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League. He graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School....
, Greg Roberts, - Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
: Roberts - Billy Sims, Associated Press College Player of the Year
- Billy SimsBilly SimsBilly Sims is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978.-Early years:...
, Heisman Trophy - Billy Sims, Sports Magazine's Player of the Year
- Billy Sims, United Press College Player of the Year
- Billy Sims, Walter Camp Foundation's Player of the Year
- Big 8 rushing champion: Sims
- NCAA DI scoring champion: Sims
- NCAA team rushing leaders
- NCAA team scoring leaders
External links
- 1978 season at SoonerStats.com