1977 Oklahoma Sooners football team

1977 Oklahoma Sooners football
Big 8 champion
Orange Bowl, L 6–31 vs. Arkansas
ConferenceBig Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 6
APNo. 7
Record10–2 (7–0 Big 8)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorGalen Hall (5th season)
Offensive schemeWishbone
Defensive coordinatorLarry Lacewell (8th season)
Base defense5–2
Captains
Home stadiumOklahoma Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1976
1978 →
1977 Big Eight Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 7 Oklahoma $ 7 – 0 – 0 10 – 2 – 0
Iowa State 5 – 2 – 0 8 – 4 – 0
No. 12 Nebraska 5 – 2 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
Colorado 3 – 3 – 1 7 – 3 – 1
Missouri 3 – 4 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Kansas 2 – 4 – 1 4 – 6 – 1
Oklahoma State 2 – 5 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Kansas State 0 – 7 – 0 2 – 9 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1977 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. Oklahoma was a member of the Big Eight Conference and played its home games in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where it has played its home games since 1923.[1] The team posted a 10–2 overall record and a 7–0 conference record to earn the Conference title under head coach Barry Switzer who took the helm in 1973.[2][3] This was Switzer's fifth conference title and third undefeated conference record in five seasons.[2]

The team was led by All-Americans George Cumby,[4] Daryl Hunt,[5] Reggie Kinlaw,[6] and Zac Henderson[7] Cumby was named Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year.[4] After winning the conference title outright, it earned a trip to the Orange Bowl where it lost to Arkansas Razorbacks.[3] During the season, it faced five ranked opponents (In order, No. 4 Ohio State, No. 5 Texas, No. 16 Iowa State, No. 11 Nebraska, and No. 6 Arkansas). Four of its opponents ended the season ranked. It endured its only regular season defeat in the Red River Shootout against Texas.[3] The Sooners started the season with a four consecutive wins before losing to Texas and then won the next six before their unsuccessful bowl game.[3]

Elvis Peacock led the team in rushing with 812 yards, Dean Blevins led the team in passing with 385 yards, Steve Rhodes led the team in receiving with 272 yards, Uwe von Schamann led the team in scoring with 89 points, Hunt led the team in tackles with 159 tackles and Henderson posted 7 interceptions.[8]

  1. ^ "Memorial Stadium". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "OU Football Tradition – 42 Conference Titles". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d "1977 Football Season". SoonerStats.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference AAGC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference AADH was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference AARK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference AAZH was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "2009 Football Record Book" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. p. 175. Retrieved June 30, 2010.