Oklahoma Football: 30 Best Games in School History

Dec 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; A general view as players warm up for the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl between the Oklahoma Sooners and Clemson Tigers at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 2, 1989 – Clemson 13, Oklahoma 6

When Clemson and Oklahoma met in the 1989 Citrus Bowl in Orlando, it was just the third time ever they had played each other in football. Both teams sported an identical 9-2 record and both were ranked in the top 20 that season (the Sooners at No. 10 and Clemson No, 13).

This game marked the end of a highly successful era in Oklahoma football. It was to be Barry Switzer last game as head coach of the Sooners, a post he had held for 16 seasons. This also would be the Sooners last bowl appearance for at least two years resulting from sanctions imposed by the NCAA for rules violations.

Oklahoma would appear in only three bowl games in the next 10 years.

It was a game of field goals in the opening half. Tim Lashar put the Sooners up by three early, kicking a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter. Clemson matched that and then added a second field goal in the second quarter to give the Tigers a three-point 6-3 advantage going into halftime.

Oklahoma tied the game in the third quarter on a 30-yard field goal, but Clemson marched 80 yards in 15 plays in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to seven points at 13-6. With Jamelle Hollieway in his final game at quarterback for the Sooners, Oklahoma advanced the ball down to the Clemson 14-yard line in the closing seconds of the game. Holieway took three shots to the end zone throwing the ball, but all three fell to the turf incomplete as time expired.

To underscore what a strange game this was for Oklahoma, the Sooner offense had more passing yards (138) than rushing yards (116). That is something that was unheard of during Switzer’s time as head coach.

Next: Oct. 7, 2000 - Oklahoma 63, Texas 14