Texas vs. OU 1976

[Etex Horn]

I attended this game while a student at UT.  Texas had been beaten every year since 1970 by the Sooners.  Some damn good Texas teams in early '70s, but always the Sooners prevailed. Darrell K. Royal was a proud man and helluva football coach. By 1976 he was sick of Switzer's Sooners and losing to them. Truthfully, he was sick of losing to them from 1971 on. But the '76 game...Wishbone against Wishbone. Texas came into the '76 season highly touted, lost early to Boston College, big underdog against OU that year.  But, to the point, the '76 Texas/OU game was the hardest hitting, most physical football game I've ever witnessed. I've been to one Super Bowl, numerous Texas/OU games and numerous high school games, but the hardest hitting game I ever witnessed was Texas/OU 1976,  Darrell had the boys ready on defense...never remember seeing Switzer and his stud Wishbone backfield shut down like they were that day. I cant remember a more courageous performance by a Texas defense. It was quite a spectacle. I have never witnessed a Texas defense playing better than they did that day.  Game ended in a 6-6 tie. Everyone went home pissed. Fights in the parkinglot between fans. Hardest hitting football game I ever saw.      

 

[streettopeschel]

that was a tie that truly felt like a loss. we got 'em the next year though in one of the great games in the series.

 

[harpethhorn]

that was a tie that truly felt like a loss. we got 'em the next year though in one of the great games in the series.

Was there too that day. Never sicker after a tie in my life. Guess DKR felt the same, as he (as rumor has it) threw up right afterthe game ended.

Two things I recall-

(1) late in 4th QTR buddy seated next to me said "We hold on to the ball and we've got 'em" Couple plays later we fumble inside our 35 yd-line. 

(2) Before the game both coaches came out w/President Ford between them escorting both to midfield. Neither Switzer or Royal spoke to each other. Could feel the tension. Then some Sooner yelled out: "So who's that SOB next to Switzer?!" 

 

[Santa Gertrudis]

I attended this game while a student at UT. Texas had been beaten every year since 1970 by the Sooners. Some damn good Texas teams in early '70s, but always the Sooners prevailed. Darrell K. Royal was a proud man and helluva football coach. By 1976 he was sick of Switzer's Sooners and losing to them. Truthfully, he was sick of losing to them from 1971 on. But the '76 game...Wishbone against Wishbone. Texas came into the '76 season highly touted, lost early to Boston College, big underdog against OU that year. But, to the point, the '76 Texas/OU game was the hardest hitting, most physical football game I've ever witnessed. I've been to one Super Bowl, numerous Texas/OU games and numerous high school games, but the hardest hitting game I ever witnessed was Texas/OU 1976, Darrell had the boys ready on defense...never remember seeing Switzer and his stud Wishbone backfield shut down like they were that day. I cant remember a more courageous performance by a Texas defense. It was quite a spectacle. I have never witnessed a Texas defense playing better than they did that day. Game ended in a 6-6 tie. Everyone went home pissed. Fights in the parkinglot between fans. Hardest hitting football game I ever saw.

I was at that game as a kid and my dad poured a beer down the back of an Okie fan that cut in front of my family in line. Okie quickly backed down and apologized and went to the back of the line.

 

[Duke C #11]

I also remember that game, but I thought the OU defense holding the '77 UT offense to 13 points was as impressive of a defensive performance as I have ever seen. Honestly, the most talented defense I have ever seen in cfb was the '77 OU version.

 

[streettopeschel]

I also remember that game, but I thought the OU defense holding the '77 UT offense to 13 points was as impressive of a defensive performance as I have ever seen. Honestly, the most talented defense I have ever seen in cfb was the '77 OU version.

perhaps but keep in mind our first 2 QBs were lost for the season early in the game. I think it's more remarkable a 3rd string walk-on won the game. With some help from that certain RB of course.

 

[Capn Hook]

I remember that game well, and if I recall correctly, we pretty much gave them the tie (or maybe it was the refs).  We were ahead 6 zip late in the game and had to punt from deep in our end of the field.  OU got the ball about the 50 and then two 15 yard penalties gave them a chip shot TD.  Luckily they missed the EP on a bad snap.

After the game the UT fans were walking around with their heads down while the OU fans acted like they had won, even though they were overwhelming favorites.

Duke, how can you say that the OU defense did a marvelous job in 77 against our third team QB who hadn't played enough to letter?

 

[Etex Horn]

Texas had the ball in the 4th quarter, leading 6-0 and hoping to run the clock out. Seldom used RB Ivey Suber fumbled the ball and OU recovered at the Texas 30.  It took OU ten plays to punch in a touchdown.  As the Sooners were preparing for the extra point, Texas MLB Lionel Johnson talked a lot of smack to the OU snapper, told him he was going to mess up the snap (I read this in the next day's Austin American-Statesman). Whatever Johnson said worked...the snap was bad, no extra point and thus the tie.      

 

[streettopeschel]

Tough ending for DKR but he was hired with the directive 'beat ou' and he went 12-7-1

 

[Duke C #11]

The OU defense was the reason Randy McEachern even played. Randy had very little to do except hand the ball to Earl, who took and dished out as much punishment as I've ever seen in a college game.