Oklahoma-Nebraska: A rivalry with a historical past of nice recollections

There's a historic nature to the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry.

They're two of essentially the most profitable applications in school soccer historical past — Oklahoma's 930 wins ranks sixth all-time amongst FBS groups and Nebraska's 909 ranks eighth. They've had a bunch of legendary coaches, ground-breaking gamers and, after all, unforgettable moments.

It was 51 years in the past, in spite of everything, that these groups met in what some nonetheless argue was the game's "Recreation of the Century."

RJ Younger, host of the "The Quantity One Faculty Soccer Present," is an Oklahoman and longtime follower of the Sooners. He dove into the historical past of the rivalry on his podcast this week, asking followers to share their favourite recollections from the series. He even shared one among his personal.

Let's dive in.

Favourite recollections from the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry

RJ Younger discusses fan responses to RJ’s query, "What’s your favourite reminiscence from the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry?"

2006 Large 12 Championship Recreation: Going freestyle

The No. 8 Sooners had been 10-2 coming into the convention title recreation in opposition to the No. 19 Huskers (9-3) that season.

Receiver Malcolm Kelly torched Nebraska, catching 10 balls for 142 yards and two touchdowns, together with a 66-yarder from Paul Thompson that gave the Sooners a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. 

Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly carries the ball in opposition to Nebraska's Andre Jones in the course of the 2006 Large 12 Championship on Dec. 2, 2006 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Picture by Brian Bahr/Getty Pictures)

Oklahoma would march to a 21-7 victory and earn a visit to the Fiesta Bowl (By the best way, that Fiesta Bowl would find yourself being one of many biggest video games in school soccer historical past, courtesy of Boise State, however that is a narrative for one more time).

For Younger, although, the Oklahoma victory itself wasn't even what was so memorable. For him, it was extra about Kelly's freestyle rap within the locker room after the sport.

"I used to have the entire thing memorized," Younger mentioned. "I graduated highschool in 2006, so this hit me totally different as a result of I did not count on any of that to occur within the locker room celebration."

Turning level for Oklahoma in 2000

For listener Judie, the highest reminiscence from this rivalry got here on Oct. 28, 2000, when she mentioned she rushed by way of her "ACT in Dale Tower to find time for the second quarter."

Whenever you look again at that day, you may perceive why the sport was such a giant deal. The Huskers had been 7-0 and ranked No. 1 within the nation on the time, and their quarterback Eric Crouch would go on to win the Heisman Trophy.

The Sooners had been good, too, nevertheless. Not solely was Oklahoma 6-0 and ranked No. 3, but it surely had simply overwhelmed then-No. 2 Kansas State the earlier week.

After Nebraska jumped out to a 14-0 lead, Oklahoma QB Josh Huepel led the Sooners on a 31-0 rampage the remainder of the best way in a 31-14 victory.

Oklahoma QB Josh Heupel runs previous Nebraska cornerback Keyuo Craver throughout their recreation on Oct. 28, 2000 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Picture by Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT)

Younger identified that the win additionally signaled a turning level within the rivalry.

"Oklahoma was sorry within the 90s," he mentioned. "As a matter of truth, the 90s Nebraska groups are, that is possibly one of the best decade for any soccer staff ever. We're speaking about Tommie [Frazier], we're speaking about Ahman Inexperienced, we're speaking about Lawrence Phillips. We're speaking about three nationwide championships in 5 years (1994, 1995, 1997)."

The victory confirmed the followers that the Sooners "actually are this good, and that was the primary time it felt to me like OU was a nationwide championship staff," Younger mentioned.

The Sooners would cap that season with a 13-2 victory over Florida State within the Orange Bowl and a nationwide title.

'OG Megatron'

For our last reminiscence, follower Ben takes us back to 1986, when a burly tight finish named Keith Jackson made the type of play you do not typically see in a run-dominant offense.

The rating was tied 17-all with 18 seconds to play, and Oklahoma held the ball on fourth-and-12. As an alternative of kicking it away, coach Barry Switzer put his belief in quarterback Jamelle Holieway, who lofted a ball to Jackson. The 6-foot-3, 248-pound tight finish hauled it in with one hand and rumbled 41 yards to arrange a game-winning area purpose.

"You don't count on that man to get the ball," Younger mentioned. "However as any Oklahoma fan will let you know, that is one of the best athlete to ever play OU soccer that no one talks about anymore. Plenty of like to Adrian Peterson, a little bit bit extra to Kyler Murray. However Keith Jackson is, for the outdated heads, that dude."

Jackson could be a first-round draft choose of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988. He would play 9 seasons for the Eagles, Dolphins and Packers, incomes 5 Professional Bowl picks. He was First-Staff AP All-Professional 3 times.

Keith Jackson led the Sooners with 15 receptions for 414 yards and 5 touchdowns within the 1986 season. (Picture by Sporting Information by way of Getty Pictures)

You may catch extra of the dialog from "The Quantity One Faculty Soccer Present" on YouTube, or by subscribing to the present on Apple podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

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