Top Ten plays in the Stoops era, that worked against OU

[Sooner98]

This is inspired by Collier's "Top 15 plays" thread - I started thinking about all the plays that went the other way. Sorry to stir up any bad emotions with this, but hey, it's the off-season, so no biggie, right? :)


#10. 2005 - Texas Tech's "touchdown" at the goal-line on the last play of the game. Very questionable, given the way it was called, and especially coming right on the heels of two other very dubious calls in Tech's favor, on that very drive. May have been higher on the list, other than the fact that OU really didn't have much to play for at the time.

#9. 2007 - Reggie Smith muffs a punt, deep in OU's territory, late in the game against Colorado. There were several plays during the course of that game, where if any one of them had gone in OU's favor, then we win that game. This one was the one that stands out the most, though, as the most back-breaking.

#8. 2007 - Allen Patrick fumbles the handoff on the first offensive play from scrimmage, leading to a Texas Tech touchdown, and Sam Bradford being knocked out of the game. This officially de-railed OU's national championship hopes, which had just been kindled when Oregon lost to Arizona two nights before, and would have de-railed OU's Big 12 hopes, had it not been for Texas' mega-choke down the stretch.

#7. 2003 - Justin Vincent takes the handoff on the first play from scrimmage, and runs about 60 yards before being tackled deep in OU's territory, in the 2003 National Championship game against LSU. The drive didn't even end up in a touchdown, but it set the tone for the entire game. I had a terrible feeling that the game was already lost immediately after this happened, given the one-sidedness of the crowd, and the energy that the play created.

#6. 2004 - Mark Bradley fumbles a punt which he had no business going anywhere near, inside the 10 yard line, with the score still tied 7-7, against USC in the 2004 National Championship game. Possibly the biggest momentum-shifting moment in the Stoops era, if not in OU's all-time football history.

#5. 2008 - Florida makes a goal-line stand in the first half of the 2008 National Championship game, stopping OU from the one yard line, not once, but twice. My guess is that if OU had punched it in there, we would have won the game.

#4. 2006 - Oregon "recovers" an onside kick with about a minute to play, and drives down for the "winning" touchdown. So many things about this play are infuriating, which we are all familiar with, but the one that bugs me the most, is how the ref signals "OREGON BALL" when they never even saw the football to begin with (it was in Allen Patrick's hand the whole time, straight up in the air). This would have been number one on my list, except that it didn't really cost OU a national or conference championship in the end.

#3. 2007 - Fiesta Bowl vs. Boise State. Since there were three plays that happened almost back-to-back-to-back, I include them all as one. Definitely the most exciting game and finish I've ever seen in person.

#2. 2001 - Eric Crouch catches a double-reverse pass and takes it 65 yards or so, to seal the deal for Nebraska. A lot was at stake here, #2 vs. #1 in the BCS, Crouch has that signature moment to propel himself to the Heisman, etc. I was also at this game, and have never seen a more hysterical home crowd as this was happening, with the possible exception of #7 on this list.

#1. 2001 - Rashaun Woods catches a last-minute touchdown in the corner of Owen Field's south end zone. This play haunts me even to this day: I can still remember the exact feeling of disgust and nausea that I had when the ref raised his hands signaling touchdown. I had already bought my Big 12 Champioship Game tickets, and was excitedly looking forward to purchasing Rose Bowl tickets and booking my trip to Pasadena to see us take on Miami, and try to repeat as champs. All that stood in the way was an easy home win vs. the lowly construction-orange clad Cowboys. Of course, it wasn't meant to be.

[yermom]

thanks, i'm gonna be sick now

not that it matters, but i don't think Bradley really even touched that ball

i watched 9/10 of those in person. shoot me now.

[Sooner98]

0:38, not only did he touch it, he picked it up, and tried to run with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqHBocXkKbg

[yermom]

hmm.. i must be misremembering something else.

i'm not feeling any better at this point :mad:

[TheUnnamedSooner]

0:38, not only did he touch it, he picked it up, and tried to run with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqHBocXkKbg

This link blows.

[CK Sooner]

This link blows.

BqHBocXkKbg

[Salt City Sooner]

This is inspired by Collier's "Top 15 plays" thread - I started thinking about all the plays that went the other way. Sorry to stir up any bad emotions with this, but hey, it's the off-season, so no biggie, right? :)


#10. 2005 - *Texas* Tech's "touchdown" at the goal-line on the last play of the game. Very questionable, given the way it was called, and especially coming right on the heels of two other very dubious calls in Tech's favor, on that very drive. May have been higher on the list, other than the fact that OU really didn't have much to play for at the time.

#9. 2007 - Reggie Smith muffs a punt, deep in OU's territory, late in the game against Colorado. There were several plays during the course of that game, where if any one of them had gone in OU's favor, then we win that game. This one was the one that stands out the most, though, as the most back-breaking.

#8. 2007 - Allen Patrick fumbles the handoff on the first offensive play from scrimmage, leading to a *Texas* Tech touchdown, and Sam Bradford being knocked out of the game. This officially de-railed OU's national championship hopes, which had just been kindled when Oregon lost to Arizona two nights before, and would have de-railed OU's Big 12 hopes, had it not been for *Texas*' mega-choke down the stretch.

#7. 2003 - Justin Vincent takes the handoff on the first play from scrimmage, and runs about 60 yards before being tackled deep in OU's territory, in the 2003 National Championship game against LSU. The drive didn't even end up in a touchdown, but it set the tone for the entire game. I had a terrible feeling that the game was already lost immediately after this happened, given the one-sidedness of the crowd, and the energy that the play created.

#6. 2004 - Mark Bradley fumbles a punt which he had no business going anywhere near, inside the 10 yard line, with the score still tied 7-7, against USC in the 2004 National Championship game. Possibly the biggest momentum-shifting moment in the Stoops era, if not in OU's all-time football history.

#5. 2008 - Florida makes a goal-line stand in the first half of the 2008 National Championship game, stopping OU from the one yard line, not once, but twice. My guess is that if OU had punched it in there, we would have won the game.

#4. 2006 - Oregon "recovers" an onside kick with about a minute to play, and drives down for the "winning" touchdown. So many things about this play are infuriating, which we are all familiar with, but the one that bugs me the most, is how the ref signals "OREGON BALL" when they never even saw the football to begin with (it was in Allen Patrick's hand the whole time, straight up in the air). This would have been number one on my list, except that it didn't really cost OU a national or conference championship in the end.

#3. 2007 - Fiesta Bowl vs. Boise State. Since there were three plays that happened almost back-to-back-to-back, I include them all as one. Definitely the most exciting game and finish I've ever seen in person.

#2. 2001 - Eric Crouch catches a double-reverse pass and takes it 65 yards or so, to seal the deal for Nebraska. A lot was at stake here, #2 vs. #1 in the BCS, Crouch has that signature moment to propel himself to the Heisman, etc. I was also at this game, and have never seen a more hysterical home crowd as this was happening, with the possible exception of #7 on this list.

#1. 2001 - Rashaun Woods catches a last-minute touchdown in the corner of Owen Field's south end zone. This play haunts me even to this day: I can still remember the exact feeling of disgust and nausea that I had when the ref raised his hands signaling touchdown. I had already bought my Big 12 Champioship Game tickets, and was excitedly looking forward to purchasing Rose Bowl tickets and booking my trip to Pasadena to see us take on Miami, and try to repeat as champs. All that stood in the way was an easy home win vs. the lowly construction-orange clad Cowboys. Of course, it wasn't meant to be.
Excuse me while I take care of a little business now:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4YTVtMhY-n0/SBgj5LMbvZI/AAAAAAAABkA/9NOXJSU7IEk/s400/Scorpions+-+Blackout.jpg

[BoulderSooner79]

I'll dispute the importance of some of those plays. (My perception, of course).

10) I never saw a camera that convinced me Tech didn't score (or confirmed they did), so I'll go with the ref. So yes important, but the play that stuck out to me was the 4th down "conversion" pass on that drive. I thought the spot was off by a full yard and it should have been our ball and game over.

9) Yes the play was big, but only because it was the end of a terrible game. I can't blame RS for trying to make something happen in a situation where a giant snowball was already rolling down hill. The only good that came from that game was that Bob called out his assistants for a poor game plan and KW owned up to being main culprit. And he was.

#7) I don't remember that run. I do remember a long Vincent run where they did score. A play or 2 before, LSU fumbled into the left side of our D-line and we recovered. But our right end jumped offside away from the play, so it didn't count. Then the Vincent run - aargh. There was also a pick we had over-turned by a fantom defensive holding call in the 2nd half that was huge.

#6) This is the one I'll disagree with you the most. I watched the line play in that game and we got dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Throw in the fact we didn't match up with their receivers and the outcome was inevitable. If Bradley doesn't fumble, they score 48 instead off 55 maybe.

[King Crimson]

bigger play against LSU is White's INT for a TD. LSU doesn't score an offensive point in the 2nd half. we give them the margin of victory on one play early in the second half, deep in our own end.

[Collier11]

I just threw up


I would put Patricks fumble higher cus if SB doesnt get hurt we likely play for a natl title that year also

[JLEW1818]

and we beat Ohio State ......

[Sooner98]

10) I never saw a camera that convinced me Tech didn't score (or confirmed they did), so I'll go with the ref. So yes important, but the play that stuck out to me was the 4th down "conversion" pass on that drive. I thought the spot was off by a full yard and it should have been our ball and game over.


I actually agree with you that there was no indisputable evidence that Tech was stopped short of the goal line, but given the fact that it was one of those plays that we will always remember going against us, I included it.



#6) This is the one I'll disagree with you the most. I watched the line play in that game and we got dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Throw in the fact we didn't match up with their receivers and the outcome was inevitable. If Bradley doesn't fumble, they score 48 instead off 55 maybe.

I put this at #6 because of 1)the magnitude of the game, 2)It was probably the single biggest moment of the game, and 3)the way that you could just tell, especially if you were there like I was, the way that ALL of the emotional energy from the OU fans and the players just disappeared, almost like flipping a lightswitch. It's no wonder the trenches were dominated after that.

[Octavian]

Gordon The Oregonian cheating the **** out of us in Eugene in broad daylight

[Hella Sideburns]

i dont think im a strong enough man to go through each of those again

[fadada1]

#6. 2004 - Mark Bradley fumbles a punt which he had no business going anywhere near, inside the 10 yard line, with the score still tied 7-7, against USC in the 2004 National Championship game. Possibly the biggest momentum-shifting moment in the Stoops era, if not in OU's all-time football history.


OK, i don't know what the hell you're talking about. i know for a fact, that this game never was played, scheduled, televised, promoted, or anything resembling being seen on a football field.

[SbOrOiNaEnR]

0:38, not only did he touch it, he picked it up, and tried to run with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqHBocXkKbg

I haven't seen that since it occurred in the end zone where I was sitting at that game. More than 4 years later, the response was the same:

1) Jaw drops

2) Yell "WHAT THE F*** ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!?"

3) Cringe

[sooner518]

[opposite day] this thread is awesome and fills me with such excitement for football season. not like that stupid Top 15 plays of the Stoops era thread. How lame was that?!?! [/opposite day]

[CrimsonJim]

Wow. Talk about a buzz kill. http://www.olevetpossehideout.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif

[Boomer38Sooner]

This post makes me want to cringe. Its crazy how 2 plays in 2007 separated us from possibly having 8 national championships and two goal line collapses in 2008 separated us from 9. I'm sick to my stomach now..

[Sooner98]

Awesome. That was my intention here. :)

[rainiersooner]

This link blows.

What link?

[BoulderSooner79]

I actually agree with you that there was no indisputable evidence that Tech was stopped short of the goal line, but given the fact that it was one of those plays that we will always remember going against us, I included it.



I put this at #6 because of 1)the magnitude of the game, 2)It was probably the single biggest moment of the game, and 3)the way that you could just tell, especially if you were there like I was, the way that ALL of the emotional energy from the OU fans and the players just disappeared, almost like flipping a lightswitch. It's no wonder the trenches were dominated after that.

They were winning the trenches already - I guess that's the "advantage" of watching it on TV and seeing replays. I know that play seemed big at the time, but in retrospect there was no big play in that game. You could toss out the top half-dozen plays and the outcome is the same. There is no amount of emotion to counter being outplayed. And you don't give up just because you're down 7 early in a title game. I've seen plays like that actually fire up a team--if the D comes in and holds them to a FG attempt. Instead, we got blown off the ball and they score in 1 play on a simple handoff from the 9. I guess I'm more comfortable thinking we got outplayed (and out coached), then accepting we fielded a bunch of quitters who threw in the towel at the first hint of adversity.

[Seamus]

This thread should be merged with the "I Pour Battery Acid On My Penie" thread.

:pop: x 0

[Crucifax Autumn]

Yep...these memories resemble the time I almost lost 4 fingers on my left hand! Only made it halfway through each of them though and can still feel 2 of them so these moments are worse!

[Aries]

not that it matters, but i don't think Bradley really even touched that ball


I'm not sure, but this may be what was on your mind...

My memory of discussion after the game was that there was speculation that the reason Bradley picked the ball up when he did is because he may have thought that the ball had touched him, and if he did not field it and USC recovered, it would have been their ball anyway. So the theory was, he felt he had no choice but to field and attempt to return it. Followed by much discussion about whether it had actually touched him BEFORE that point, or not.

[jumperstop]

I thought I would come and see what this thread was about but all it did was bring back bad memories. I am physically sick to my stomach now.

[BoulderSooner79]

Come 'on - it's just a game. Maybe you're just hungover or pregnant or something.

[JLEW1818]

Just a game??? ha

[EstablishedSooner1967]

i need a bottle of whiskey and a gun... thank!

[OSUAggie]

You people are weak.

I can rattle off a top-50 of moments in a given year that's more gut-wrenching than any of this ****.

[SoonerDood]

You people are weak.

I can rattle off a top-50 of moments in a given year that's more gut-wrenching than any of this ****.

yeah, but you all are used to losing.;)

[CrimsonJim]

^ Winnar!!

[JLEW1818]

77-0

so we shut out the aggies in 03, and shut out the horns in 04... not bad

[TahoeSOONER]

If you think this thread sucks then you needed a reality check on your football mindset. Yes, it sucks reliving all these painful moments and Bowl loses but when the good times roll around you appreciate them that much more.

As many of ya'll know, the ups and downs are one of the many reason CFB is the greatest game on earth.

Sooners fans have been spoiled with the greatness of the program but we've seen our fair share of let downs, the burden of playing for Championships. I for one wouldn't change a damn thing.

[the_ouskull]

I just threw up

I would put Patricks fumble higher cus if SB doesnt get hurt we likely play for a natl title that year also

Then, after seeing the way we "played" against West Virginia, I'm glad that we lost that game. I'd rather lose against Tech in October/November than see a "really, really good" team beat us even harder in January than an only "good" team in W.V. did...

the_ouskull

[badger]

You people are weak.

I can rattle off a top-50 of moments in a given year that's more gut-wrenching than any of this ****.

Why can't more Poke fans be cool like you... NYC Poke's cool too... so is Stunned Aggie, whatever happened to him... seriously. Why can't ya be cool?

[MiccoMacey]

I guess I'm more comfortable thinking we got outplayed (and out coached), then accepting we fielded a bunch of quitters who threw in the towel at the first hint of adversity.

100% agree. No one quit after that play...it became the largest scapegoat in history.

We got our a$$es handed to us...end of story.

[TheUnnamedSooner]

BqHBocXkKbg

Still blows.

[PLaw]

With respect to #6, I thought it was generally understood (if not man law) that this would never be spoken of again - just too painful. Would you please remove it from the list or simply put TGOWWDS at #6. Too much bad Karma still hanging around from that one.

BOOMER

[RedstickSooner]

I'm not sure, but this may be what was on your mind...

My memory of discussion after the game was that there was speculation that the reason Bradley picked the ball up when he did is because he may have thought that the ball had touched him, and if he did not field it and USC recovered, it would have been their ball anyway. So the theory was, he felt he had no choice but to field and attempt to return it. Followed by much discussion about whether it had actually touched him BEFORE that point, or not.

Er, I'd always thought the issue was that it touched a USC player, and therefore, was a free play for him.

I've yet to see any evidence which convinces me I'm wrong -- but maybe some of y'all have. I watched the game in person, and was at the other end of the field (over by the ESPN broadcast spot) so I couldn't see it at all with my own eyes, and trying to see stuff on the in-game replay screen didn't much help.

[MojoRisen]

That is correct, hit a USC players foot abd Bradley thought he had a free play.

[OKLA21FAN]

how did this play not make the list?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yerLvBMrDII
:gary:

[JLEW1818]

haha ^^^

[Crucifax Autumn]

I'm glad we found out "what's up"!

[Crucifax Autumn]

That is correct, hit a USC players foot abd Bradley thought he had a free play.

I agree...however:

Bradley was an idiot for even thinking about touching that ball regardless of whether it hit a condom first or not and it was estremely stupid to even be in the vivinity at all with that kinda punt coverage surrounding him...Acting like he's Little Joe or some shat. Just dumb football period unless you ARE an all-time great...and really, in the grand scheme of things...dumb anyway!

As for the rest...Laying down and dying over a little momentum shift and letting it turn the entire game is NOT what Sooners should do.*








*assuming this ever happened...which we know it didn't...ever....at all.
A bunch of people from Oklahoma just went to a concert one night.

[Pricetag]

#1. 2001 - Rashaun Woods catches a last-minute touchdown in the corner of Owen Field's south end zone. This play haunts me even to this day: I can still remember the exact feeling of disgust and nausea that I had when the ref raised his hands signaling touchdown. I had already bought my Big 12 Champioship Game tickets, and was excitedly looking forward to purchasing Rose Bowl tickets and booking my trip to Pasadena to see us take on Miami, and try to repeat as champs. All that stood in the way was an easy home win vs. the lowly construction-orange clad Cowboys. Of course, it wasn't meant to be.
Luke Phillips' two 50-plus yard field goals are what killed us that day. If he had not converted those kicks after OU had stopped the 'Poke offense at a pretty manageable field position, that's just a garbage score.

[NormanPride]

How about the whole damn second half for the defense in the WVU game? It was pathetic.

[Collier11]

I put the defensive performance on our offense honestly, think about how many turnovers and 3 and outs we had in the 2nd half not to mention the failed onside...they were spent

[yermom]

Luke Phillips' two 50-plus yard field goals are what killed us that day. If he had not converted those kicks after OU had stopped the 'Poke offense at a pretty manageable field position, that's just a garbage score.

yeah, the wind was perfect for him to kick those things into the North uprights

it seems like we stopped them on the 35 twice

it was pretty pathetic that 16 points was enough to beat us at home. they really had our offense's number for like 3 years

[Sooner04]

it was pretty pathetic that 16 points was enough to beat us at home. they really had our offense's number for like 3 years
I'd say two years. We moved the ball fine in 2002. They just had Everage on the take.

When Phillips made that second kick in 2001 it made the score 13-9 and it gave me the most ominous feeling of doom I've ever felt in my stomach. It felt like I knew we were going to get beat and I was stunned. Sure enough........

[Sooner J]

Wow, #1 is probably #1 on my list too and I didn't even see it until now. I can't remeber being more depressed after a game as I was that day. I remember turning off the tv and sitting in the dark for what seemed like forever after that game. Thanks for bringing up bad memories.

[One4OU]

10. 2005 - *Texas* Tech's "touchdown" at the goal-line on the last play of the game. Very questionable, given the way it was called, and especially coming right on the heels of two other very dubious calls in Tech's favor, on that very drive. May have been higher on the list, other than the fact that OU really didn't have much to play for at the time.



I think there were worse calls made than the touchdown. The fourth down a bit earlier where the official gave the TT receiver at least a yard and a half was huge and the first down that came on a pass interferece call when it clearly was tipped were both bigger mistakes.

[BoulderSooner79]

...
As for the rest...Laying down and dying over a little momentum shift and letting it turn the entire game is NOT what Sooners should do.*
...


Agreed and that's NOT what they did. The game was decided in the coaches offices during the weeks of preparation. Granted, 'SC had more match-up advantages than we did to begin with, but that's just an opportunity for a coach to come up with a great game plan to counter. That didn't happen as they had the superior game plan too. There were lessons learned at that game and it's frustrating that we haven't experienced the payoff as yet (at least in a bowl game). But if we get #8 during Stoops tenure, I guarantee those lessons will be part of the reason. This season would be fine by me.

[cheezyq]

Gordon The Oregonian cheating the **** out of us in Eugene in broad daylight

I'm 100% on board with this, but in the interests of fairness, ALL Pac-10 officials that are in charge of enforcing the rules of a college football game are worthless. This includes the gang violence at UW last year that got Granger (and, incidentally, lol, their own QB - Locker) hurt.

I've also seen an Oregon State game where a runner was stretching out for extra yardage and is down, he releases the ball because the play is technically over, but the whistle is not blown and the defense grabs the ball and runs the other way. On replay, the play is confirmed.

Are there no optometrists on the west coast?

[BornandBred]

It's Monday morning at 9 am, my least favorite part of the week. I found this thread and out of some strange masochistic desire, read the entire thing. Now, I'm in some kind of depression that I don't think will end for the next 50-ish days. Thanks a lot.

While we're here making a list of things that make me long for a hot bath and a cold razor blade, here's one of my own:

3. Taxes.
2. Dead puppies.
1. This thread.

Have a wonderful week.