The Red River Shootout

Probably one of the most celebrated rivalries in college football is the Texas/Oklahoma game-aka “The Red River Shootout”.  The mid-season contest is played annually at the Texas State Fair and traditionally inside the cotton bowl. This rivalry will be played for the 112th time, with Texas holding the series lead at 61-44-5. However, within the past 33 years, Oklahoma leads the series 18-13-2. And since 1946, both teams are deadlocked at 34-34. Needless to say, this is a pretty even series. This Saturday, both teams head coaches are getting their first taste in this rivalry as the head man and both will find out really quick what this game means to it’s team and their fans.

Great games in this series

1900- The very first game between Texas and Oklahoma came at a time when the two teams didn’t even use their respective nicknames. Texas was known as “Varsity” and was a very good team at the time, while Oklahoma was still trying to find their identity. Texas won 28-2.

1958- The 1950’s were kind to the Sooners, as they dominated the Longhorns and college football for most of the decade. However, former sooner Darrell Royal was now the head coach at Texas and he knew how important this game meant.  His Longhorn team defeated the Sooners by one point, ending a decade long skid.

1963- Oklahoma was number 1. Texas was number 2. That match up could not be bigger. It was only the seventh time that two teams ranked like this were playing during the regular season. Texas held on to win and went on to win their first National Championship.

1977- This was the game where Earl Campbell carried the Longhorns on his back. In the first half, Texas lost their starting and backup quarterback to injury. Yet, the Longhorn defense held their ground and behind a future heisman running back, the Longhorns won 13-6.

2000- Y2K was the year of the Sooner. Bob Stoops showed the world that not only is Oklahoma back, but they trailed blazed Mack Browns Longhorns 63-14. They held the Longhorns to -7 rushing yards. This was the most lopsided win in the series history. Oklahoma went on to win the National Championship against Florida St.

2005- This was Vince Young’s swan song. Teammate Jamaal Charles put on a clinic against the sooners and set a freshman rushing record that day. He set the longest rush from scrimmage in the series with his 80 yard dash against the sooner defense that was banged up and non-existent. Texas went on to win the National Title against USC.

2007- Sam Bradford vs. Colt McCoy. Jamaal Charles vs. DeMarco Murray. This game was built up before the season even started and it was one for the record books. A game that had so many turnovers and lead changes, it lived up to the billing. Bradford and Murray stole the show and helped Oklahoma defeat the Longhorns 28-21.