Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Five Best Sooner Football Season-Openers Over Last 70 Seasons

By Chip Rouse

Sep 5, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate after a touchdown against the Akron Zips during the third quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate after a touchdown against the Akron Zips during the third quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) is hugged by teammates after running for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Rose Bowl. Ucla won 24-23.Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) is hugged by teammates after running for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Rose Bowl. Ucla won 24-23.Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Sept. 6, 1986 – Oklahoma 38, UCLA 3

The season-opening game in Barry Switzer’s 14th season as head coach at Oklahoma was a home date for the Sooners, hosting No. 4-ranked UCLA in the AP preseason poll. The Sooners entered the game ranked No. 1 for the second straight season following their national championship season the year before.

UCLA had won the Pac-10 Conference crown in three of the previous four season and had been victorious in four consecutive bowl appearances between 1983 and 1986 (three in the Rose Bowl and one Fiesta Bowl win). The Bruins also featured a veteran head coach, Terry Donahue, who was beginning his 11th season.

The first quarter of the game was little more than a sparring match, with the Sooners taking a 3-0 lead on a field goal by Tim Lashar. UCLA tied the score four plays into the second quarter, and from that point it was all Oklahoma, as chronicled in an article on SoonerStats.com recapping the game.

The Sooners led 17-3 at the half, but more impressive, the OU wishbone offense out-rushed the Bruins 219 to 25 and out-gained them 228-89 in the opening 30 minutes. Oklahoma controlled the ball for a good 20 minutes in the first half, doubling the time of possession by UCLA.

Oklahoma took complete control of the game in the second half, continuing to pummel the UCLA defense on the ground, while shutting down the Bruins offense on the defensive end. The Sooner defense limited UCLA to 34 total yards on the ground and just 155 offensive yards overall. OU finished the game with 470 rushing yards, averaging over six yards per carry.

The 38-3 loss was the worst opening-game loss by a UCLA football team in 56 years.

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