Oklahoma football: Historical matchup – Which Sooner record is more unbreakable?

The Oklahoma football program has many records throughout its college football lifespan. Several Sooner record holders have been drafted into the NFL. Many have seen themselves become Pro-Bowlers and even NFL Hall of Famers.

Records are all about the chase. They’re similar to those highly-sought promotions you work so hard for. The first thing that comes to mind after you receive a promotion is, “Whew, I’m glad I get to take a break now.” The next day, you find your brain thinking, “Wonder what’s next?” Records are the same; they’re meant to be broken.

Today I wanted to examine the two most impressive Oklahoma football records in the storied program’s history. I wanted to showcase them and think about which record is more likely to be broken again. Or, more impressive, can either of them ever be broken again?
Let’s return to September 20, 2003, to start this examination in Norman.

Antonio Perkins 3 punt return TDs vs. UCLA

Antonio Perkins (Perk), took his first punt back to the house at the 10:40 mark in the second quarter. This may be unfair, but it wasn’t rare to see him have a punt return touchdown. Sure, it’s incredible, but is it rare? for Perk? No way. But then they kicked him again. The Lawton Macarthur Highlander took the second punt return 84 yards to the house at the 4:45 point in the second quarter. Okay… now that’s crazy. Perk took two punt returns to the house; that guy is unreal. Surely they won’t…

Trailing 52-24 with 2:55 left in the fourth quarter, UCLA punter Chris Kluwe punted a sky-high punt strait to Perk. Following receiving the punt on the UCLA 35 yard-line, Perk got his college football record and sealed his Sooner legacy for generations to come. Perk weaved in and out of 4 tackles and then broke a final one on the way to a 65-yard punt return touchdown, his third for the day.

Perk finished the day with 277 punt return yards (An NCAA record) and 3 punt return TDs in a single game (An NCAA record).

Samaje Perine’s single game rushing record vs. Kansas

Samaje Perine entered the locker room at halftime of the Sooners’ game versus the Kansas Jayhawks with 222 rushing yards, just 186 yards short of Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon’s single-game rushing record. He opened up the second half with a 66-yard touchdown run… “This is possible.” Sooner Nation thought.

Samaje ended his fantastic day with 427 rushing yards on 34 carries and 5 touchdowns. The NCAA’s single-game rushing record was, and still is, his.

Samaje’s performance on that rainy Oklahoma day is one of college football’s most incredible individual performances. But can it ever be done again?

The University of Buffalo running back Jared Patterson rushed for 409 yards and eight touchdowns in a game versus the Kent State Flashes in 2020. Close, but if you ain’t first, you’re last. Record stands. Nelson Agholor of USC took 2 punt returns to the house in 2013. USC blocked a third and returned it to the end zone tying the team record for punt returns for scores. But the individual record still belongs to Antonio Perkins.

If I had to choose, the punt return record is more likely to be broken than the rushing record, and the reason is three-fold.

1. 1. College teams do not run the ball as much as they used to, and when they do have runs called, they’re typically run-pass-options (RPOs) that result in short passes being thrown. Last year (2022), Ole Miss led all-power five schools in rushing with 614 rush attempts and 3,473 rushing yards gained. Compare that to 2014, when Auburn led all-power five programs in rushing with 729 rush attempts and 4,596 yards. Teams simply don’t run the ball as often as they used to.
   2. Quarterbacks are more involved in rushing the ball today, lessening the rush yardage of running backs. With the advent of the spread offense and its widespread adoption, the quarterback run threat is more meaningful today than ever before. As mentioned, the RPO’s effect on rushing yards has been drastically downsized. Add that to the consistent disbursement of rushing attempts. You are less likely to see the 427 rushing yard mark hit again, especially in a power-five conference.
   3. Another reason and something to know for 2023’s college football season. Starting in 2023 (this year), first downs will no longer result in an automatic clock stoppage. Games will be shorter, and the total offense will be lower, including rushing. I don’t think Samaje has to worry about his single-game rushing record ever being broken.

Let us know what you think. Do you think Antonio Perkins will remain atop college football record books forever following his 3-punt return game in 2003, or will Samaje Perine’s rushing record be broken first? Do you think either record will ever be broken? Is there another Sooner record you know of that ranks above these? Let me know by commenting below or on Twitter at @StorminInNorman or @BrandonSelf77.