40 Facts About Oklahoma Sooners Football

A Storied Beginning

The Oklahoma Sooners football program boasts a rich history that dates back over a century. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this legendary team.

1. Program History: The Oklahoma Sooners football program began in 1895, making it one of the oldest programs in the country.
2. First Game: The first game of the Oklahoma Sooners football team was played in 1895 against Oklahoma City High School, which they lost.
3. First Coach: The first coach of the Oklahoma Sooners was Vernon L. Parrington, who led the team to nine wins and two losses in 1897.

Conference Affiliations and Records

Over the years, the Sooners have been part of various conferences, each contributing to their storied legacy.

4. Conference Affiliations: Over the years, the Oklahoma Sooners have been affiliated with several conferences, including the Independent (1895-1914), Southwest (1915-1919), Big Eight (1920-1995), and Big 12 Conference (1996-2023).
5. All-Time Record: The Oklahoma Sooners have an all-time record of 944-341-53, which places them sixth in the nation in terms of overall wins.
6. Winning Percentage: The team boasts a .725 winning percentage, also sixth all-time in college football history.
7. Bowl Record: The Sooners have a bowl record of 31-25-1, with a winning percentage of .553.
8. Playoff Appearances: Oklahoma has appeared in the College Football Playoff four times: in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
9. Playoff Record: Despite their playoff appearances, the Sooners have yet to win a playoff game, with a record of 0-4.

Championship Glory

The Sooners have a rich tradition of winning championships, both claimed and unclaimed.

10. National Championships: The Oklahoma Sooners have claimed seven national championships: three in the Big Seven (1950, 1955, 1956), three in the Big Eight (1974, 1975, 1985), and one in the Big 12 (2000).
11. Unclaimed National Titles: The team also has ten unclaimed national titles, including those from 1915, 1949, 1953, 1957, 1967, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1986, and 2003.
12. Conference Titles: The Sooners have won 50 conference championships, with the last one being in 2017.
13. Division Titles: The team has secured eight division titles, showcasing their dominance within their respective divisions.

Rivalries and Awards

Rivalries and individual accolades have also played a significant role in the Sooners' history.

14. Rivalries: Oklahoma has several notable rivalries, including those with Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Texas.
15. Heisman Winners: The Sooners have produced seven Heisman Trophy winners: Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), Jason White (2003), Sam Bradford (2008), Baker Mayfield (2017), and Kyler Murray (2018).
16. Consensus All-Americans: A total of 82 players from the Oklahoma Sooners have been named Consensus All-Americans, highlighting the team's consistent excellence.

Traditions and Symbols

The Sooners' traditions and symbols are deeply ingrained in their identity.

17. Current Uniforms: The team's current uniforms feature the iconic crimson and cream colors, which have been a part of their identity for decades.
18. Fight Song: The fight song of the Oklahoma Sooners is "Boomer Sooner," which is sung by the fans during games to boost team spirit.
19. Mascot: The team's mascot is the Sooner Schooner, a horse-drawn carriage that has been a part of Oklahoma football tradition since 1966.
20. Marching Band: The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band is the official marching band of the Oklahoma Sooners, known for their energetic performances during games.

Home Turf

The Sooners' home stadium is a fortress where many memorable moments have taken place.

21. Stadium: The Oklahoma Sooners play their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, also known as "The Palace on the Prairie." The stadium has a seating capacity of 83,489 and is one of the largest college stadiums in the U.S.
22. Field Surface: The playing surface at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is natural grass, which has been the standard for most of the stadium's history.

Leadership and Coaching

Leadership has been a cornerstone of the Sooners' success.

23. Head Coach: As of the 2022 season, Brent Venables is the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, marking his third season with the team.
24. Athletic Director: Joe Castiglione serves as the athletic director for the University of Oklahoma, overseeing all athletic programs including football.

Records and Streaks

The Sooners hold numerous records and streaks that highlight their dominance.

25. Longest Winning Streak: The Oklahoma Sooners hold the record for the longest winning streak in Division I history with 47 consecutive victories from 1953 to 1957.
26. Consecutive Home Wins: The team also holds the record for the most consecutive home wins with 39 straight victories from 2005 to 2011.
27. All-Time Points Scored: The Oklahoma Sooners have scored a total of 35,116 points in their history, making them the top-scoring team in college football.
28. Longest Scoring Streak: The team has maintained a remarkable scoring streak of 266 games, with a record of 211-55 (.793) from 1998 to the present.
29. 10+ Win Seasons: The Sooners have achieved 38 seasons with 10 or more wins, which is the highest in college football history.
30. 11+ Win Seasons: The team has also secured 23 seasons with 11 or more wins, further solidifying their dominance.
31. Undefeated Seasons: The Oklahoma Sooners have experienced 14 undefeated seasons, with the last one being in 2000.
32. Losing Seasons: Despite their overall success, the team has had only 12 losing seasons, which is the fewest in college football history.

Individual Achievements

Individual players have also left their mark on the program.

33. All-Americans: A total of 162 players from the Oklahoma Sooners have been named All-Americans, with 80 being consensus selections and 35 being unanimous choices.

Television and Media

The Sooners have a strong presence on television, bringing their games to fans nationwide.

34. TV Appearances: The team has appeared in 396 TV games, with an overall record of 277-114-5 (.706) in these televised matches.
35. Consecutive TV Games: The Sooners have played in 216 consecutive TV games starting from 2002 to the present.
36. First TV Game: The first televised game of the Oklahoma Sooners was played on October 9, 1948, against Texas on WBAP-TV in Fort Worth and Dallas.
37. First National TV Game: The first national television broadcast of an Oklahoma Sooners game was on November 8, 1952, against Notre Dame on NBC.

Travel and Conference History

The Sooners have a rich history of travel and conference participation.

38. First Air Travel to Game: The team first used air travel for a game on September 27, 1946, when they traveled to Yankee Stadium to play against Army.
39. Conference History: The Oklahoma Sooners have participated in a total of 666 conference games, with an all-time conference record of 492-152-22 (.755).
40. Big 12 Conference Titles: Within the Big 12 Conference, the Sooners have won 11 conference titles, with the last one being in 2017.

Oklahoma Sooners Football: A Legacy of Excellence

Oklahoma Sooners football stands as a testament to college football greatness. With roots tracing back to 1895, the program has amassed an impressive 944-341-53 all-time record. Boasting seven national championships and 50 conference titles, the Sooners have consistently dominated the field. Their storied rivalries with teams like Texas and Nebraska add to the excitement each season. Producing seven Heisman Trophy winners and 82 Consensus All-Americans, Oklahoma has a rich history of individual talent. The iconic Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, with its roaring fans and the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, creates an electric game-day atmosphere. Under the leadership of head coach Brent Venables, the Sooners continue to strive for excellence. From their longest winning streak of 47 games to their remarkable scoring streak, Oklahoma Sooners football remains a powerhouse in college athletics.