Top Five Oklahoma Sooner Running Backs of the BCS Era

5. Brennan Clay (2010-2013)

Sep 14, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Brennan Clay (24) before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma won 51-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 1,913 rushing yards, 379 carries, and 13 touchdowns

Accomplishments: 2014 Sugar Bowl Champion, 2011 Fiesta Bowl Champion, 2010 and 2012 Big 12 Champion

While his stats were never gaudy, Clay was a huge key to Oklahoma’s success in the final years of the BCS era. Clay, a powerful runner and a member of Oklahoma’s original ‘Cali trio,’ didn’t have the same type of success Kenny Stills and Tony Jefferson saw, but he took huge strides his junior and senior seasons.

Clay’s name is one Oklahoma State Cowboy fans can’t forget. In the 2012 Bedlam meeting, Blake Bell tied the game with a last second touchdown to send the Sooners and Cowboys to overtime. The Sooner defense held the Cowboys to a field goal with Oklahoma State’s lone overtime possession. Brennan Clay, however, relished the opportunity to score from 18 yards out in walk-off fashion to win Bedlam for the Sooners, 51-48.

Clay’s senior season was just as memorable. In the 2013 meeting between Oklahoma and TCU, Clay dialed up a 76 yard touchdown run to give Oklahoma enough cushion in the fourth quarter to beat the Horned Frogs.

After Damien Williams was dismissed late in the year, Clay was the feature back for the Sooners in 2013. While his services weren’t needed as much in Oklahoma’s 2014 Sugar Bowl victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide, he was an integral part of OU’s squad for multiple years as an extremely tough runner.