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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 1998)
By Jay Saunders Staff writer These are not the glory years of Oklahoma football The Sooners are not booming, and their schooner doesn’t have much to ride for. The days of “Sooner Magic” are just something to read about in the OU madia guide. Oklahoma has gone through three coaches in die last four seasons. And for the first time since 1923 and 1924, the Sooners have had back-to-back losing campaigns. The coach then was Bennie Owen. Owen tinned die program around after that and ended up with die field at OU’s Memorial Stadium named after him. Current Coach John Blake, who is on the hot seat in Norman, is hoping to have something in I common with the legendary Owen - reviving a wounded program. So Blake decided to make the big changes this season. He found a new defense (46) and a new defensive coordinator (Rex Ryan). He then went and named himself defensive line coach, a position he had held with die Dallas Cowboys. But his biggest change conjures up memories of the glory days of Sooner football: die return of the wishbone. It is die first time Sooner fans will see the offense since 1990. Three running backs. Huge chunks of yardage on the ground. Long, back-breaking drives. Blake wants to bring it all back. “I am a better coach now than I was before, because I have learned a lot of things,” Blake said. “I had been thinking about (going back to the option) for a long time. It is time for us to improve and restore the Oklahoma tradition.” The wishbone first speared in Norman in the 1960s. It was inspired by a similar offense that was being used at Tfecas, the Sooners’biggest rival. The offense made an immediate impact In 1971, using the wishbone, OU went 11-1. The only loss was a 35-31 setback to Nebraska, the so-called “Game of the Century.” The effects of the wishbone can be seen all over the Oklahoma record books. All of the Sooners’ top five rushing seasons are from the wishbone era. That includes the 1971 season, in ^Oklahoma won national championships in 1974,1975 and 1985 with the wishbone. The offense made All-Americans out of running backs Joe Washington, Greg Pruitt and Billy Sims. Sims aiso won me ncismau irupuy. ^uancnmui jacK Mildren was an All-American in 1971.0U wait away from using the wishbone offense in 1990 because of coaching and player changes. It is only fitting that Blake be the coach who brings the option back toOU. Blake played on the defensive line for die Sooners from 1979 to 1982, when Barry Switzer coached a potent Oklahoma offensive attack. “We are trying to emulate OU football of the past,” Blake said. “Wearegoingto live or die by die option.” Blake said this isn’t going to exactly be the offense of the past, as die Sooners will line up in several offensive formations. Those formations include the “power-I,” the double slot and the wish bone. And there will be more passing than there was in the 1970s, when in some games die Sooners threw the ball only four or five times. “We won’t be doing the reads of the Oklahoma wishbone every - down,” Blake said. “This offense has more vmiations than any other, and will be a very complicat ed thing to defend.” OU has had pri marily a passing offense in the last few seasons. Despite that, junior De’Mond Parker has gained 2,327 over die last two seasons. The return to option football has a lot of players excit ed. That includes Parker, who Blake said will probably rush the ball 25-30 times per game this season. “I love the ball in my hands,” Parker said. I should take a lesser pounding this year with an extra blocker in die backfield.” The 5-foot-10,185-pound back out of Tulsa, Okla., is closing in on several Sooner rushing records. If Parker rushes for 1,658 yards this sea son, he will become Oklahoma’s all-time rushing leader. Parker said he hopes he can fill the shoes of past Sooner option greats. “I had some doubts about the offense,’’ Parker said, “but all those doubts are gone. I will make something happen when I touch die ball.” x aiAj&x axivx uk uukx limiting uathd wmpiay an important role in this year’s offense, but Blake said the most important position will be quarterback. There have been a lot ofbig names at that posi tion as well Mildren averaged over four yards per carry. Jamelle Holieway, who anchored die wish bone from 1985-1988, is sixth on the Sooner career rushing list with 2,699 yards. Taking control of die offense this year is junior Brandon Daniels. Daniels is no stranger to the Please see WISHBONE on 7 Jv . . ■ - ... . .:-B Have Ground Game, Will Travel When Oklahoma abandoned the wishbone offense after the 1988 season, its rushing yards went severely down, as dM the Sooners rankings. The following is a sample of five seasons: five with toe wishbone offense and five without National Championship season is in bold. With Wishbone rear 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Husning yds/game 355.2 404.7 428.8 343.4 334.6 Without Wishbone 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 194.2 182.2 198.0 198.5 209.6 necorc 11-1 11-1 11-1 9-3 9-3 9-3 6-6 5-5-1 3- 8 4- 8 i-inai AP ranking 1 3 3 14 NR* 17 NR NR NR NR ueai NU? Yes Yes . Yes No No No No No No No •Not eligible for AP polls because of probation JonFrank/DN T»_1_lil._ _il_•_1_t_!11_1_ 570 minutes of airtime for $24.99 per month. : >S 500 Off-Peak Minutes Per ^ "T r'KJbH JLong distance falling in Nebraska & Iowa (from ± __ _ Service Area) Domestic Long Dstance at $0.10 per minute ^ First Incoming Minute Free (in Home Service Area) Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting and TWWay Calling Included 100% Nationwide Digital Network No Long-Term Contract Required Sprint PCS Center 5001 O St _ 484-5400 Sprint PCS' I Limited time offer. 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