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The History of OU Football

Writer: Cutter Seay
Cutter Seay
Oct 6
1 min read

By Evelyn Nicklen


The 1902 Football Team


Run Down!

The Sooners football team was founded in 1895, twelve years before Oklahoma became a state. Within the 103 seasons since then, the team has achieved the following:


  • 7 Heisman Trophy winners

  • 49 conference championships throughout 8 conferences

  • 7 national championships

  • 31 players and coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame





The Foundation





The first game, coached by college student John A. Harts, was a 34-0 loss. Harts then left Oklahoma to become a gold prospector, leaving the team without a coach for several games. In 1897, former Harvard player Vernon Louis Parrington took over, leading the team to its first few wins.










Their first long-term coach, Bennie Owens, led them to many victories over the years, establishing the team as respected.









Famous Rivals

With the start of college football season, OU has had many historical rivals, from the Red River Rivalry to Midwestern teams.



Oklahoma State: famous state rivalry since the early 1900s.







Mizzou: began in the 1940s when both were in the Big 12.





Texas: current and most famous/competitive OU rivalry.





Nebraska: a famous rivalry until Nebraska switched conferences.







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