Oklahoma football: Five best Oklahoma defenses since 2000

By Chip Rouse | Mar 29, 2023

Oklahoma's Jalen Redmond (31) pressures Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) in the first half during the Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov., 19, 2022.Presto Id /

2 of 6

Dec 29, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Travis Jordan (13) gets tackled by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker David Ugwoegbu (2) in the second half in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

5. 2002 Oklahoma Sooner defense

The 2002 Oklahoma team, in Bob Stoops’ fourth season as head coach, was 12-2 overall and Big 12 champions at 6-2. Overall, the Sooners finished No. 5 in both the Associated Press Top 25 and Coaches Poll.

An outstanding defense had as much to do with that success as anything. The 2002 Sooner defense was led by Brent Venables and Mike Stoops, who shared the defensive coordinator responsibilities. Oklahoma ranked 10th in total defense that season, allowing opponents 293 yards per game. In contrast, the 2022 OU defense gave up over 160 more yards per game.

The Sooner rushing defense that season allowed 108 yards per game, 14th best in the country, and185 pass yards, which ranked 25th among NCAA Division I games. The Sooners were also among the national leaders in turnovers gained with 36, 10th best in the country.

This was one of several outstanding defensive units that was part of Oklahoma football in the early 2000s.

Home/OU Football