Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Haiku

No D in Ducks-Pokes
Coach Hair Gel calls his own plays
In Bowl victory

Kelvin Sampson Limerick

Was Coach Sampson caught cheating?
His rep has taken a beating.
His word's worth less than dirt
In His trademark blue shirt.
A new coach IU is needing.

Who's the Best #14

Mike Babb (DB, 76-79) - biggest moment I recall was recovering onside kick in OU's come from behind victory in 1977 over Ohio State. Babb died during a surgery in 1982 after sustaining an injury in an alumni game.

John Connor (98-99) - limited playing time as a Sooner, but as you can see here, was only in his early teens at the time. Clearly with lots of post Sooner upside, he is poised to be the leader of the Human Rebellion.

Josh Heupel - (QB, 99-00) All-American as a Sr, led the Sooners to 14-0 perfect season in 2000. Held most passing records for the Sooners, in spite of being a JuCo transfer until Jason White got his Ph.D. at OU in football.

Derrick White (DB, 84-87)- I remember Derrick as the DB that kept chasing Michael Irvin into the end zone. A few other folks ended up chasing Irvin, whether it was DBs or the po-po. White was a 7th round pick of the Minnesota Vikings.

Rod Pegues (QB, 78-82) - chosen by the New Jersey Generals in USFL's 1983 territorial draft. So he's got that going for him, which is nice. No mention of Mr. Pegues in the Sooner record book.

Hunter Wall - (QB, 01-02) - QB from Coppell, America. Was kicked off team after redshirt freshman season. Highlight of the short career was 33 yard TD pass reception off of a fake punt against Kansas State in 2001. It was a genius call by Stoops that I cannot find on YouTube. Wall was kicked off the team in fall of 2002.

Sam Bradford - (QB, 06-present) led nation in passing efficiency as a redshirt freshman in 07and broke My Little Pony's record for most TD passes by a freshman.

Who's the Best #13?

Eric Bassey (DB, 2002-05) - game clinching fumble return against Alabama in 2003. Was supposed to be the next Roy Williams. Played more like Cowboy Roy than Sooner Roy.
Mike Knall (P, 2006-07)
R.D. Lashar (K, 1987-90) - finished career 2nd all time points scorer at LandThieves U, behind some dude named Steve Owens
Damien Mackey (DB/WR, 1999-2001) - concussions sidelined Mackey. Friends with Roy Williams, and was the reason Roy came to Norman. Caught 62 balls for 652 yards and 5 scores.
Steve Sewell (WR/RB, 1981-84) - versatile player who led the Sooners in all-purpose yards his senior year; 5th highest game total of all purpose yards in 84 against KSU, Sewell had over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the game and totalled 295. I believe he's the only person to achieve that as a Sooner; 2nd highest total of receiving yards for a RB, behind Quentin Griffin. Sewell played in a supremely talented backfield, which included Buster Rhymes, Marcus Dupree and Stanley Wilson, Played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos.
Terrance White (DB, 1994-98) 16th in career tackles by a DB.

Whos the Best #12

Monte Deere (61-62) - Led Sooners in passing in 1962, comleting 41 of 71 passes with no interceptions. As a DB wearing number 32 in 1960, Deere led the team with three interceptions. Also had one of the heavier golf bags at the Trails Golf Club from 1986-88, and I got tired of lifting that bad boy.

Cale Gundy (90-93) - leading passer of the pre-Stoops era of Sooner football. Currently is third in career passing yards and third in career TD passes.

Paul Thompson (03-06) - QB for disastrous season opener in 2005 against the mighty TCU Horned Frogs. Benched and went to WR catching passes totalling 102 yards. After Cargate, Thompson assumed helm at QB and led the Sooners to Big 12 championship. 5th in career TD passes and 6th in total passing yards.

Curtin Fagan (98-02) - Fagan is 5th in career receptions at OU, catching 135 for 1,689 yards (also 5th). Also led the team in punt returns in 2001.

Justin Fuente (95-97) - QB with the misfortune of being at OU for the Desert Era. Transferred to Murray State and was quite successful there. Presently an assistant at TCU.

Mike Winchester (84-86) - punter on national championship team in 85.

John Hammond (63-65) - completed third longest pass in OU history, for 90 yards to Lance Rentzel in 1964.

Bobby Grayson (78-81) - Grayson led the Sooners in receiving in 1980 and 1981, catching 14 passes in 1980 and 12 in 1980. Those were the days.

Best Sooner #11

I would not have thought so initially, but this number is pretty strong in Sooner lore.

• Ronnie Fletcher (1964) - completed longest pass (95 yards) in Sooner history. Father of 90s QB Patrick Fletcher. Wore #28 in 1962-64.
• Lendy Holmes (2004-07) - switched from WR to DB and has had solid career as a defender. Chased down Mike Goodson from TAMU after Musberger declared TD Aggies in 06 game.
• Ontei Jones (1998-99) wore #42 his senior year of 2000. Ontei was one of my favorite defenders in the Desert Era. He was all over the place during Blake's final year, and would hit anything. Led team in tackles as a LB in 1998, the last year of the Desert Era. Switched to DB in Stoops system and was a contributor on the national championship team.
• Teddy Lehman (2002-03) - All conference and All American LB in 02- and 03. Butkus Award winner in 2003 as well. Ranks 12th all time in tackles. Caught deflected pass and returned for TD as a result of Roy Williams leap over Texas FB Brett Robin. Ranks second in career pass deflections by a LB. Injuries have hampered his NFL career.
• Jack Mildren (1969-71) - All American QB in 1971, commanding the Sooners who led the nation in total rushing, total offense and total scoring. Ranks 7th all time in passing yards, and left campus in 71 ranked second. WL Record was 24-9-1 as a starter. Drafted by the Colts as a DB. Later was OU Lt. Governor.
• Freddie Nixon (1976-79) - ranks 8th all time in punt return yards. Led Sooners in receiving in 1979. Son Lanear Nixon also played for Sooners.Started as a RB but was moved to WR due to crowded backfield that included David Overstreet, Billy Sims, Kenny King and Jimmy Rogers, all who played in the NFL.
• Tinker Owens (1972-75) - All Big 8 Split end in 1974. Completed collegiate career ranked second in Sooner receptions (70) and receiving yards (1619). Led Sooners in receptions each of his four years.
• Otis Taylor (1988-92) - finished as 8th all time kick returner in Sooner history, and 10th in punt returns.
• Bob Warmack (1966-68) - named All Big 8 in 1967. Left campus ranked 1st all time in passing yards with 3,744 yards (held that record for 25 years), and led Sooners to a WL record of 21-9-0 during his starts.

Jersey Poll Winners

Below are the Best Sooner Footballs by jersey number, courtesy of the prestigious LandThieves voters. I'll update this as we go along.

1. JC Watts
2. Derrick Strait
3. Darrol Ray
4. Jamelle Holieway
5. Steve Davis
6. Thomas Lott
7. Brandon Everage
8. Nate Hybl
9. Mark Clayton
10. Uwe Von Schamann
11. Jack Mildren
12. Cale Gundy
13. Steve Sewell
14. Josh Heupel

Best Sooner #10

Uwe Von Schamann (76-78) - punter and kicker who is 10th in all time scoring at Oklahoma. 6th in career field goals made, and was first in career FG made when he left OU. Made 149 of 150 XP kicks. Von Foot is most noted for a huge FG against Ohio State in Columbus to win the game.
Scott Case (82-83) - 11 interceptions in his career. All Big 8 in 1983.
David Vickers (84-87) - 20th leading DB in tackles in career. Started on 85 national champ team. All Big 8 in 86.
Torrance Marshall (99-00) - Defensive leader in national championship season. Scored game winner on interceptin return against Cash Machine U. Never mind the clip by Rocky Calmus. All conference senior year. Holds single season mark for sacks by a LB.
Lance Mitchell (02-04) - All conference LB in 2004.
Steve Collins (89-92) - 19th in career passing yards
Gerald Williams (95-98) - misfortune of playing WR during Desert Era. Not mentioned in Sooner record book.

Vote in the poll, and put your comments below, if you wish.

Urinating Coach Limericks

Coach Schnupp is a household name
After the Bear-Jayhawk Game
At the end o the bar
He didn't pee far...
said he was putting out flame.

Coach Schnupps' blader was overfull
He peed next to a bar stool
The cops were right there
But he didn't care
Now he's suspended by school

Who's the Best #9

There's a clear leader on this number...

Mark Clayton (00-04) - Career leader in Catches and Receiving yards in a game, season and career. All-American in 2003-04. Caught passes for 190 yards against Texas. Career yardage leader by over 1200 yards.

Tink Collins (88-92) - QB for first three years, split end for last two years . Lost out in QB race with current RB coach Cale Gundy.

Anthony Fogle (93-96) - 9th in career tackles for a DB.

Glenn Sullivan (83-85) - Third string QB during national championship season. Two sport athlete who also played baseball, making it to the AAA level in the Cubs organization.

Juaquin Iglesias (05-present) - presently 18th in career receiving yards. Likely to be in top 10 by the end of his junior year, barring injury.

Who's the Best #8

Sonny Brown - campus heartthrob (my ex had the hots for him - and darn near anyone else I fould out later) and DB during the mid 80s. Part of two big goal line stand against the Bugeaters in 1984 as the 6th ranked Sooners upset the top ranked Huskers. Also started on the National Championship team in 1985.
Chad Dainty - was on the 1996 roster. With that name, I can only imagine he transferred to a school in the WAC or Pac10.

Brandon Daniels - tremendous athlete burdened with playing quarterback in the Desert Era. Could do everything but pass the football. Played as a WR, DB and KR during Stoops first year. Led the team in receptions in 1999, and holds Sooner record for most KR yards in a game and season.

Nate Hybl - starting QB in 2001 and 2002. Has 20-3 W/L record during his tenure. Was pulled for White, then replaced White when Jason blew knee out. 4th most career passing yards in Sooner history.

Garrick McGee - highly touted Juco transfer was Sooner QB during Gibbs last year (1994). A victim of the coaching genius of Schnellenberger in 1995, he saw limited playing time his senior year.

Donte Nicholson - juco transfer DB in 03-04. Earned All Big 12 honors in Sr year.

Jerry Parks - infamous in Sooner lore for shooting teammate Zarak Peters in early 1989. There is some debate amongst Sooner historians over what is more shocking in about this event: a) that a player shot another; b) that he was kicked off the team for doing so.

Darrell Shepard - starting QB in 1981, scored 15 rushing TDs for the Sooners that year.

Vote to the right, comment below.

Best Sooner #7

Rhett Bomar - Best car selling QB at Oklahoma ever. Passed for 10 TDs and 12 interceptions in 2005. Now throwing interceptions for the Sam Houston Bearkats.

Brandon Everage - stellar safety from 2000-03. All American in 2002. Shoulder problems limited his effectiveness the last couple of years, but Brandon was tremendous at run support, and I vividly recall a game against Air Force in 2001 where he had a monster game.

Scott Hill - 1973 - 76 DB and subsequently a assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Sooners. All Conference DB his senior year. Most noted for a HUGE hit on Tony Dorsett in the 1975 game against Pittsburgh. I played golf with him once. More on that some other time.

DeMarco Murray - talented freshman RB from Las Vegas. Presently on pace to score over 200 TDs in his Sooner career.

Jerald Moore - rushed for 1000 yards in 1995 when Howard Schnellenberger was coach. He should get special consideration for that. Shared backfield with James Allen and they were a pretty potent combo. Rushed for 1600+ yards during his career. Personally, I thought he was one of the great wasted talents by the coaching staffs of the mid 90s. Played briefly in NFL.

Kelly Phelps - QB from 78-82 who started 17 games for the Sooners during his career. Most of those games were during his senior year of 1982, when the Sooners went 8-4.

Who's the Best #6

Charles Thompson - subbed for an injured Holieway against Nebraska in 1987 and led the team to victory. Split time with Jamelle Holieway in 1988. Most known for making the cover of SI in orange jumpsuit after being arrested on cocaine charges in early 1989.
Antwone Savage - talented WR and KR during 2000-2002. 4th leading receiver alltime in catches, 2nd all time in receiving yards. Had huge TD reception against KSU in 2001 game.
Jarrod Reese - QB during Blake era from my hometown. Transferred out of the program. If he didn't graduate from Seminole H.S, I wouldn't even mention him.
Thomas Lott - 2nd leading rushing QB behind Holieway, 22nd all time rusher overall. Lott QB'd the sooners from the Texas game in 1976 through the end of the 1978 season, with the exception of the start of the 77 season due to injuries. Lott led the LandThieves to a 23-5-1 record in his time, including two Big 8 co championships and an outright championship in 1977.

Who's the Best #5

Kids - The #5 is not a deep number in Sooner lore. Below are the nominees:

Steve Davis – my first Sooner autograph. 3rd leading rushing QB in Sooner history, Davis led the Sooners to 32 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie in games he started from 73-75, and led the Sooners to AP National Championships in 1974 and 75. Davis was the third most prolific passer when he left OU, passing for 2,036. He’s presently 14th on the list in total yards, and 9th in TD passes.
Earl Johnson – FB during the halcyon days of yore, aka 1982-1986. If memory serves me correctly, Earl was in a horrific traffic accident with Keith Stanberry. As a freshman in 1983 against Colorado, Johnson ran for 258 yards on 28 attempts, and rushed for over 100 yards in 4 other games that year. The injury cut short his effectiveness beyond that.
Ahmed Kabba – Left after two years. Caught big TD pass in a miserable game against Coach Fran led Frogs. Left the program early.
Brandon Shelby – Defensive Back and special teams player between 2000-05, Brandon ranks 3rd in tackles for loss by a DB in his career.
Glyn Milburn – was here for the 1988 season. I think Glyn flunked out and transferred to Stanford, where he had a successful collegiate career and then went on to the NFL.

Who's the Best #4?

The #4 is a strong number in Sooner lore, as per below:

• Pee Wee Woods – corner from 96-99, presently plays in the NFL.
• Travis Wilson – receiver from Carrollton, TX drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 3rd round. Travis played the 02-05 seasons at OU, compiling 1,300 receiving yards (14th) and 104 receptions (8th).
• Buster Rhymes – uber-talented and troubled RB/WR/KR from 1980-1984. Buster holds the career mark for KR yards, has the longest KR in Sooner history (100 yds as a frosh) and led the Sooners in receiving yards in the run oriented days of 1983. Presently 9th in career all purpose yards. Sat out 1982 season for disciplinary reasons. 4th round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1985. Drug issues derailed his NFL career, if memory serves me correctly. Plus, a rapper is named after him.
• Elvis Peacock – one of the best names in college FB history. RB from 74-77. Stands 20th all-time in rushing yards. Scored 31 TDs from 74-77. Would have had better stats, but shared backfield with Kenny King, Joe Washington and Billy Sims. First round draft pick by the Rams in 1978.
• Tommy O’Hara – one of the best Irish Sooners ever.
• P.J. Mills – WR from 93-95. I vividly remember watching PJ coast into the end zone in the Carrier Dome against the ‘cuse in 1994. The ball was punched out just before PJ scored, and Syracuse roared back to take a lead in the game, only for Garrick McGee to lead the Sooners into FG range and Scott Blanton kicked the field goal. Enough about me…
• Malcolm Kelly – will be in the NFL soon. Malcolm posted the 2nd highest receiving yardage total in OU history during the 2006 campaign. After only two seasons, Kelly ranks 11th in total career receiving yards. Wore #2 his during his freshman season (2005).
• Jamelle Holieway – came off the bench when Troy Aikman was hurt against University of Miami in 1985. Led the Sooners to national championship and three Orange Bowls. Suffered debilitating knee injury against Boone State. Holieway is the career leader in QB rushing at OU with 2,713 yards, and 8th on the career rushing TD list with 30. Holieway finished his career as the 3rd leading passer in Sooner history, but presently ranks 10th on that list.
• Antonio Perkins – wore this number before becoming a fabulous kick returner/DB wearing number 28.

Cast your votes in the poll, and comment on your choice if you wish.

Who's the Best #3

by HeadThief, LandThief Press Senior Editor-in-Charge


I believe the #3 has a little bit more suspense to it than our previous jersey polls. There's not a definitive leader, IMO.

• Josh Norman – RB/WR from 1998-2001 Josh wore #30, then 31, then #3 the final two years. Josh holds the record for the most passes caught in a game (11 against Dust University in 2001), 8th in most catches in a season, and tenth in most receptions in his career.
• Darrol Ray – two-time all conference DB, also was the Sooners punter his junior year in 1978, averaging 38 yards per kick. Darrol is fourth all time in career interceptions., and tied for second for a season total, with 8 in 1978.Derrick Shepard – WR for the Sooners from 1983-86. Derrick led the Sooners in catches as a sophomore in 84, and is 17th all time in receptions and 15th in reception yards (he completed his senior year 3rd on the list). Derrick returned punts in 1983, as well as the national championship year of 1985. Derrick was a graduate assistant at OU in 1998. Derrick played for 5 years in the NFL and passed away at the age of 35 from a heart attack, while serving as an assistant coach at Wyoming University.
• Reggie Smith – a work in progress, Reggie is a junior this year. He led the Sooners in kick returns as a freshman, posting the fourth highest yardage total for a season. Reggie is the preseason Big 12 Defensive POY. Reggie was an first team all conference in 2006.
• Tony Dirienzo – kicker during the early 70s. Kicked a 60 yarder against KU in 73. Fihished his career holding nearly every kicking record for the Sooners.

Other #3's included:
Terrence Brown – QB/WR during latter Gibbs era and start of Desert era. I vaguely remember him being pressed into service at the Copper Bowl, which was GG’s last game as coach.
Eric Moore – Sooner QB off and on during the black hole era of Sooner football, he wore this number in 97-98.
Jejuan Rankins – WR from 2002-05, JJR wore this number in 2003-05. JeJuan led the team in punt returns his senior year. He had the sixth highest TD reception total in Sooner history.

Who's the Best #2

Dean Blevins – Dean might get consideration in the lifetime achievement award, but was sandwiched between Steve Davis and Thomas Lott at the QB position in the mid 70s. He did lead the Sooners in passing yards in 1976-7, but threw for less than 400 yards each season.
Tashard Choice – transferred to Ga Tech after one year to be closer to his family. Considering that he has somehow thrived under the tutelage of offensive mastermind Chan Gailey, we can only imagine what he would have done here subbing for AD when he was injured.
Malcolm Kelly – wore #2 for a year before switching to #4.
Leon Perry – fullback from 85-89, presently #20 in all time rushing yards for the Sooners.
Jim Rockford – how he played football and starred on that TV show at the same time requires some consideration.
Derrick Strait –All Conference in 2002-03, and All American in 03, Strait played four years as a DB and made several huge plays during his career, particularly his freshman year when he was named Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year. During that championship season of 2000, my simple mind can recall a game saving deflection against Chokie State, a huge interception for a score against the Bugeaters, and a deflection late in the game against Kansas State. College greatness has yet to translate into NFL success.
Corey Warren – played from 1990-1993, and finished his career #2 in receiving yards at LandThief U, and was a favorite target of QB, now RB coach Cale Gundy.
Mike Woods – DB from 1997-99

Vote to the right, and leave comments as you wish below.

Best Land Thief Footballer to wear #1

Today's the first in an occasional series of best Sooners wearing a specific jersey number. Research of who wore what is done at http://www.soonerstats.com/.

• JC Watts - starting QB of the Sooners in the late 79-80. Later became a US congressman. JC was blessed with some pretty fair running backs in his day...Billy Sims, David Overstreet, Freddie Nixon, and Stanley Wilson. JC QB's OU to 11-1 and 10-2 records in 79-80, with a pretty memorable come from behind finish in the 1981 Orange Bowl over Florida State.
• Mark Bradley - Danny's son. Mark was a standout WR for the Sooners in 2003-04, and now plays for da Bears. Mark returned a kick for a score, threw a pass for a TD, scored on a reverse, and caught a TD pass at OU during his career.
• Danny Bradley - QB of the Sooners in the early 80s. All Big 8 in 1984.
• Zac Henderson - four year starter as DB and two time All American in 76-77. Later played for the Iggles in the NFL.

Several other Land Thieves donned the #1 but didn't qualify for voting in my book, including 1) QB Eric Moore (95-96, a great kid with a cannon for an arm that didn't translate to success on the FB field), 2) QB/RB/WR Eric Mitchell, a versatile talent from the mid 80s, 3) Jarrail Jackson (96-99, most noted for key TD pass and later a punt return for a score in victory against the shorthorns in 1996), 4) Manuel Johnson (2006), 5) Ike Lewis (1989-90), 6) Terrance Simms (2000-02, hobbled by knee injury suffered against Air Force in 2001).

Feel free to cast your vote below and/or add comments.