Conference Big 8 Conference AP No. 2 | Coaches No. 2 1972 record 11–1 (6–1 Big 8) | |
Head coach Chuck Fairbanks (6th year) Offensive coordinator Barry Switzer (7th year) | ||
The 1972 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1972 college football season. Oklahoma was a member of the Big Eight Conference and played its home games in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where it has played its home games since 1923. The team posted an 11–1 overall record and were 6–1 in conference, later changed to 8–4 and 3–4. This was Chuck Fairbanks' last season as Sooner head coach; he left for the New England Patriots of the NFL.
There is actually a discrepancy as to the Sooners' 1972 record. The NCAA never officially forced Oklahoma to forfeit games, having only penalized scholarships, TV appearances, bowl appearances, etc. Oklahoma had used players (including Kerry Jackson, the team's first black quarterback) with falsified transcripts and at one point volunteered to forfeit all its games. Eventually, the Big Eight asked them to forfeit three conference victories (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma State) despite the fact that the NCAA still recognizes them, but Oklahoma now recognizes these as wins and claims the 1972 conference title.
Oklahoma was led by four All-Americans: Rod Shoate (OU's second three-time All-American), Greg Pruitt, Tom Brahaney and Derland Moore. This was the first season that the Selmon brothers Lucious, Lee Roy and Dewey, all eventual All-Americans, anchored the defensive line. The Sooners played seven ranked opponents (In order, #10 Texas, #9 Colorado, #14 Iowa State, #14 Missouri, #5 Nebraska, #20 Oklahoma State, and #5 Penn State), and four of these opponents finished the season ranked. Oklahoma's only loss on the field was in the fifth game against Colorado. The team concluded its season with a 14–0 victory over Penn State in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Eve.
Pruitt led the Sooners in rushing with 1024 yards, Dave Robertson led in passing with 1136 yards, and Tinker Owens led in receiving (for the first of four consecutive seasons) with 430 yards. Pruitt led in scoring with 86 points, Shoate in tackles with 145, and Dan Ruster in interceptions with seven.
The 1972 Sooners twice posted 37 first downs, which was a school record that stood for 16 seasons.