College football Week 10: Reunions & Elections
Oklahoma-Nebraska once was the epicenter of college football. The game that you could circle in August as the likely game of the year. The game that more often than not, lived up to such expectations.
It’s still an OK game, because of the history, but it has fallen. It has fallen far. Now it’s not one of the top 100 games in the college football season.
Here’s how far it has fallen. OU-Nebraska, the game itself, was trumped twice over the weekend, not by other games, but by events AT MEMORIAL STADIUM.
Saturday night, the OU-NU rout quickly went to the backburner, and fans focused on Texas Tech-Texas. If the Sooners had displayed the game from Lubbock on the Owen Field video board, it would have been a priceless PR move, though the Huskers might not have appreciated it.
But even before kickoff Saturday night, OU-Nebraska 2008 was overshadowed by OU-Nebraska 1971.
The reunion Friday night in the Switzer Center was one of the coolest things I’ve ever covered. There aren’t a lot of unique events left in sport. This was one.
A reunion of a game from 37 years past, hosted by the vanquished foe.
Have the ‘51 Dodgers hosted the ‘51 Giants? Has ‘92 Kentucky hosted ‘92 Duke? Have the Lakers of any years hosted the Celtics?
This was the ultimate show of respect and honor, and the ‘71 Huskers were magnanimous in their victory. There was no trash-talking, no bravado.
The only deviation from that script came from the OU side, so far as I know. During the dinner, which was closed to the media, Nebraska star Johnny Rodgers was introduced and a reference was made to his punt return for a touchdown. “Yeah, but there were two clips,” yelled a Sooner from the back. And everyone in the house broke up laughing.
Thirtysomething Sooners and twentysomething Huskers showed for the event. Photo ops were everywhere. Bob Stoops came by; I saw him with Rodgers and Chuck Fairbanks. Jeff Kinney was there, and Greg Pruitt, and 6-foot-7 John Dutton, who played 15 years in the NFL and looked like he still could.
Leon Crosswhite and Joe Wylie and Doug Dumler and, well, the names are too numerous to bear. The only downer was the guys who were missing. OU quarterback Jack Mildren and Nebraska coach Bob Devaney, who have passed. Husker quarterback Jerry Tagge, who was ill. NU nose guard Rich Glover, who didn’t make it from New Jersey.
But at the dinner, the speakers included the game’s offensive coordinators, Barry Switzer and Tom Osborne; Fairbanks; Greg Pruitt and Rodgers.
A special, special night. Nebraska won that game 35-31, but 37 years later, I think we safely can say that nobody lost.
Massive Nebraska defensive tackle Larry Jacobsen said it best: “Heck of a game to watch, hell of a game to play.”
TEN BIGGEST WINNERS OF THE WEEK
10. Utah State: One of college football’s most beleaguered programs now has now two WAC wins. The Aggies beat Hawaii 30-14 and has won four of its last seven conference games dating back to last November.
9. Backyard Brawl: West Virginia beat Connecticut and Pittsburgh beat Notre Dame, reviving the status of the old rivalry’s participants and setting up the possibility that their Nov. 28 showdown at Pitt could be for a BCS berth.
8. Central Michigan: The Chippewas lost a chance to beat a Big Ten foe in Purdue when they fell 32-25, but they didn’t let the chance pass this time. With backup quarterback Brian Brunner throwing for a day-best 485 yards, Central beat Indiana 37-34.
7. Ole Miss: The Rebels’ 17-7 victory over Auburn was big for bowls; Mississippi moved to 5-4 and dropped Auburn to 4-5, and more importantly, seemed to signal that under Houston Nutt, the pecking order in the SEC West might have changed.
6. North Texas: The Mean Green was as good a bet as any as the worst team in college football. But coach Todd Dodge got a much-needed victory over fledgling I-A member Western Kentucky, 51-40.
5. Mardy Gilyard: The Cincinnati flanker - who carved up the Sooners back in September - caught a 26-yard TD pass against South Florida, then crashed into 7-year-old Cincy fan Garrett Monroe. But Gilyard showed his humanity; he immediately picked up Monroe to make sure the kid was all right, disdaining a celebration of what proved to be a huge play in the Bearcats’ 24-10 victory.
4. Miami: The Hurricanes started 2-3 but have won four straight, including a 24-17 overtime win at Virginia. If Miami can beat Virginia Tech in Thursday Night Football on Nov. 13, the ‘Canes could play at Georgia Tech a week later with Coastal Division supremacy on the line.
3. Max Hall: Quarterback U is back. Brigham Young’s QB threw for 389 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner with 22 seconds left that gave the Cougars a 45-42 win at Colorado State.
2. Bad blood: Florida beat Georgia 49-10 to stamp itself as perhaps the nation’s best team, and Gator coach Urban Meyer repaid Georgia’s Mark Richt for a perceived slight last season. Meyer called two timeouts in the final minute to prolong the Florida celebration.
1. Graham Harrell: Don’t discount the Texas Tech quarterback from the Heisman race; 36 of 53 for 474 yards and the game-winning drive in the so-far game of the year, a 39-33 victory over Texas. Now Harrell gets two more spotlight games, against OSU and OU.
DARROL RAY’S BARBEQUE
Because of the OU-Nebraska reunion, I didn’t make my usual Friday night dinner pilgrimage. But I’ve got another dining adventure to offer.
On Thursday, I met an old friend, Brent Clark, for lunch. Brent is a Norman lawyer who has authored two books about OU football.
Anyway, he suggested we meet a Ray’s Smokehouse BBQ. It’s a new joint in Norman run by former Sooner star Darrol Ray.
Darrol Ray was always one of my favorite players. A free safety from 1976-79, he was in the great OU signing class of 1975. A superb ballplayer, Ray ranks No. 4 on OU’s career interception list, with 15. He was one of those guys who should have made all-American but didn’t. Then Ray played five years with the New York Jets, starting 69 games and making 21 NFL interceptions.
Ray has been in the restaurant business for years, and Ray’s Smokehouse is very good. I had a chopped beef sandwich that was excellent.
You’re likely to find Ray there; he stopped by to chat, and Barry Switzer stopped in for some take-out while we were there. “A barbeque man!” Switzer said to me.
Caught in the act. A barbeque man indeed. And I’ve got a new place to go. 1514 W. Lindsey in Norman.
REALITY RANKINGS
College football rankings, based not on what we think teams will do, but what they have done.
1. Penn State: Surprising, I know. But probably can’t stay No. 1.
2. Florida: Gators will be tough to beat in this ranking, with a road game at Florida State and the SEC title game against probably Alabama.
3. Texas: I know, Tech fans will yelp, but this ranking makes sense. ‘Horns beat OU on a neutral field and OSU in Austin. Tech has the big home win over Texas but still faces the meat of its schedule.
4. Alabama: If Bama wins at LSU, it might be No. 1.
5. Southern Cal: Hard for the Trojans to jump a bunch.
6. Texas Tech: If Tech sweeps the Okies, it’s a runaway No. 1.
7. Oklahoma: Sooners still can rise far.
8. Georgia: Bulldogs are pretty much done. They’re living off earlier wins.
9. Oklahoma State: If OSU wins in Lubbock, it moves into top three.
10. Utah: If Utes beat TCU and BYU, they’re going to the BCS.
11. Boise State: In a rough spot. Broncos could get trumped by Utah or TCU for the lone BCS spot guaranteed a top-12 mid-major.
12. Michigan State: This surprises me, but the Spartans are 7-2 and have played a solid schedule.
13. TCU: Horned Frogs are helping OU every week.
14. Ohio State: If Buckeyes don’t win out, Rose Bowl might have to look outside the Big Ten for a team to play USC. And the Buckeyes go to Northwestern and Illinois before hosting Michigan.
15. California: Golden Bears might be second-best team in Pac-10. We’ll find out. Cal goes to USC this week and Oregon State next.
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
Saturday morning, I left the house early, about 7:45 a.m. I was going to help do some painting at my church, Lakeside Church of God in east Norman. I was supposed to be there at 8 a.m. but I thought I might risk being a little late to vote.
I went by the Cleveland County Election Board for early voting. I was there at 7:55. Voting started at 8. And the line stretched more than two blocks long. North on Peters three quarters of a block, the full block west on Main Street and then back south down Jones.
I didn’t stop - a can of paint had my name on it - but I felt proud. I always do on election days. What a great sight. A pristine November morning, and my fellow citizens lined up to cast their ballots.
I went back Monday morning to vote early, but again, no time to wait. I returned Monday evening and this time plunged in. I took a spot in line about 5:15 p.m. in front of Danny’s TV on Main Street.
My wait was about 75 minutes, and I can’t remember when I had a better time.
I stood in line with William Wakefield, director of OU bands. We chatted for almost an hour before he introduced himself, but we had the most wonderful conversation.
We talked football and New York City and marching bands and Oklahoma life. Here’s what I learned: Remember that great Pride of Oklahoma tradition, where the band members dress up in costume for a halftime show around Halloween? They don’t do it anymore because too many people complain about certain costumes, and trying to regulate what 400 musicians might wear onto the field is too cumbersome a task. Oh well.
The weather was immaculate; 72, 73 degrees. The sun was setting, creating a scene fit for a painting, and Main Street seemed alive and so did I.
I’m never prouder to be an American than I am on election day. The campaigns embarrass me; the election invigorates me.
Standing on Main Street in my hometown, under magnificent autumn trees, with fellow Americans who didn’t complain once about the long wait, I felt sorry for the people who turn this fabulous experience into something so bitter.
All the Democrats who say they’re moving to Canada if a Republican wins the White House; all the Republicans who say that no matter who wins the election, Obama will never be their president, shame on you.
I went into the voting booth, voted for four Democrats and three Republicans, voted to retain all but one judge; voted to yes on two state questions and no on two others.
And walked out into the November night feeling better about America than I’ve felt in a long, long time.
TEN BIGGEST LOSERS OF THE WEEK
10. Wisconsin: The Badgers aren’t a bad team. They just can’t win. Wisconsin lost 25-24 at Michigan State and fell to 1-5, dead last in the Big Ten.
9. Baylor: Victories over ranked foes are rare for the Bears. But Baylor was tied 28-28 with No. 14 Missouri and had the ball after an interception of Chase Daniel. But lined up to go for it on 4th-and-4, Baylor committed a false start penalty, and coach Art Briles decided to punt. Missouri then marched to the game-winning field goal.
8. Louisville: The Cardinals lost to Syracuse - Syracuse! - 28-21 and now play the Big East’s three best teams, Pitt, Cincinnati and West Virginia, all in a row. Louisville is 5-3 overall but 1-2 in the Big East and could be headed for the second straight dismal finish in Steve Kragthorpe’s two seasons.
7. Fresno State: Fresno State once led the mid-major parade this season. But that was a long time ago. The Bulldogs lost 38-35 to Louisiana Tech on Saturday, dropping them to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the WAC.
6. Tulsa: The Golden Hurricane probably wasn’t headed for the BCS. Utah, TCU and Boise State stand in the way along Mid-Major Boulevard. But its all moot anyway for TU after a 30-23 loss at Arkansas that means the Liberty Bowl is as good as Tulsa can do.
5. Notre Dame: Believe it or not, the Irish had a chance at the BCS. At 5-2, Notre Dame had Pitt coming to South Bend, followed by games against Boston College, Navy and Syracuse. Nine wins might have lifted Notre Dame into the BCS discussion. But after four overtimes, Pitt emerged with a 36-33 victory, and with USC awaiting Nov. 29, the Irish seem headed for the Gator Bowl.
4. Ron Prince: I don’t think Kansas State will fire its coach, who is 16-18 in three years. But I won’t swear to it with many more performances like this - a 52-21 browbeating at Kansas. It was 31-0 at halftime.
3. Minnesota: True story. The Gophers were on the radar of the BCS, with a record of 7-1 and a remaining schedule that included three home games and no heavyweights. Then Northwestern’s Brendan Smith returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown with 12 seconds left to beat Minnesota 24-17, and good-bye BCS talk.
2. State of Washington: Remember 1987, when Kansas went 1-9-1 and Kansas State 0-10-1, and those teams tied 17-17? No way will the state of Washington match the Sunflower State futility. There are no ties anymore. But Washington U.’s and Washington State’s slump reached new depths Saturday. UW lost 56-0 at Southern Cal and WSU lost 58-0 at Stanford. That’s a combined 114-0 if you’re scoring at home.
1. Phil Fulmer: A hapless 27-6 loss at South Carolina sealed the fate of Tennessee’s national-championship coach, who Monday announced he had lost his job. Offensive ineptitude doomed Fulmer; the Vols are 114th in scoring, 17.0 points a game, in front of only Central Florida, Mississippi State, Army, Washington, Washington State and Wyoming.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
After the OU-Nebraska reunion Friday night, I motored up to the Community Christian-Windsor Hills 8-man game. You’ve probably seen the lights of CCS’ field, which sits hard by Interstate 35, between Norman and Moore.
My niece, Chelsea Williams, was up for a homecoming honor, so the whole family was there. I arrived midway through the second quarter and had the most delightful time.
I saw some old friends and met some new people. Tim Lashar was there. On the CCS sidelines were ex-Sooners Vince Carter and Josh Norman, who are CCS coaches.
And I got to chat with Dewey Selmon, his wife Kathryn and daughter Shannon. Shannon is married to Carter, and Selmon’s adopted son plays for CCS.
Great night. At the reunion, I got to chat with Eddie Foster and his wife Kim. Eddie was an offensive tackle on those early Sooner teams. The Fosters are a wonderful family. Foster was Joe Wylie’s college roommate; Wylie agreed to be on our NewsOK.com Pre-Game Show on Campus Corner, and the Fosters brought the Wylies over to make sure they found our stage.
On Friday night, an hour after chatting with the Fosters, I sat with Dewey and Kathryn Selmon.
Two events, same night, and I get to chat with my two favorite old Sooners.
I’ve got a heck of a job. And I live in a heck of a place.
Related posts:
- College Football Week 14: Controversy reigns
- The Week That Was in College Football
- College Football Week 6: Big scores & barbeque
- COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 7: OU-Texas tales
- College Football Week 5: The House That Boone Built & Brazilian food
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Heck of an article. Could have been written back in the day. Makes me wish for simpler days.