6 3 NAT IONAL AWARD WINNERS
Outstanding players have dominated the landscape. Twice in the last seven years, a Sooner has been named the best defensive player in the nation.
STEVEN COLEMAN
Oklahoma’s defense suffers from a bit of an identity crisis. With a takeaway in 94 of Bob Stoops’ 105 games and 20 interception or fumble returns for touchdowns during this coach’s tenure, the defense has a reputation of, well, being a little offensive. The Sooners’ attack-style defense, long appreciated for its speed and aggressive attitude, is perhaps best known for its consistency. OU has ranked among the top 16 teams in the nation in total defense for seven consecutive years.
NIC HARRIS
Oklahoma has forced at least one turnover in 93 of 105 games (89 percent) over the last eight seasons.
The Sooner defense has at least one interception in 70 of 93 games (75 percent) over the last seven years. Sooner defenders have scored 25 touchdowns, an average of three per year, since Bob Stoops took over at Oklahoma.
40 CONFE REN CE CHAMPIONSHIPS
24 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Attacking Defense Built on Speed
1 42 ALL-A MERICANS
DOMINATING DEFENSE
Since Bob Stoops arrived in 1999, the Oklahoma defense has surrendered an average of just 17 points per game.
The Oklahoma defense has registered nine shutouts under Stoops.
7 NATIONAL C HA MPI ONSHIPS
OU’s defense allowed less than 100 rushing yards per game in four of the last six seasons.
34 2007 OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL GUIDE
* SOONERSPORTS.COM
93 70 25 17 9 4