The 1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1979 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 an 11–1 overall record and a 7–0 conference record to earn the Conference title outright under head coach Barry Switzer who took the helm in 1973. This was Switzer's seventh conference title and fourth undefeated conference record in seven seasons.
The team was led by All-Americans Billy Sims and George Cumby. After winning the conference title outright, it earned a trip to the Orange Bowl for a bout with Florida State. During the season, it faced three different ranked opponents (In order, #4 Texas, #3 Nebraska and #4 Florida State). All three of these opponents finished the season ranked. It endured its only defeat of the season against Texas in the Red River Shootout. The Sooners started the season with a four consecutive wins before losing to Texas and then won their remaining seven games. Sims and J.C. Watts both posted for 100-yard games in the Orange Bowl.
Sims led the nation in scoring with 138 points (based on per game average of 12.0, which includes 132 in 11 games). Sims led the team in rushing with 1670 yards, 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. Billy Sims set numerous Oklahoma offensive records that still stand including career 200-yard games, single-season rushing touchdowns (tied)
Schedule
Personnel
Season summary
Iowa
Tulsa
At Rice
Colorado
Oklahoma faced its former coach Chuck Fairbanks for the first time since his departure following the 1972 season.
vs Texas
At Kansas State
Iowa State
At Oklahoma State (Bedlam Series)
Kansas
At Missouri
Oklahoma's 100th win of the 1970s (Alabama only other school to do so)Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 18.
Nebraska
Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 25. DataOmaha.com . Retrieved 2020-Dec-06.
Orange Bowl (vs Florida State)
Rankings
Awards and honors All-American: Billy Sims, and George Cumby, Big 8 rushing champion: Sims NCAA DI scoring champion: Sims Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year: Cumby
NFL draft
The following players were selected in the National Football League draft following the season.
Sooners who were picked in the 1980 NFL Draft: 11Billy SimsRunning backDetroit Lions126George CumbyLinebackerGreen Bay Packers240Darrol RaySafetyNew York Jets256John GoodmanDefensive endPittsburgh Steelers487Fred NixonWide receiverGreen Bay Packers5130Paul TaborCenterChicago Bears5179Darry HebertDefensive backNew York Giants9235Barry BurdetLinebackerNew England Patriots11284Mike BabbDefensive backAtlanta Falcons
References