Game of the Week
College Football
  Scores/Schedules
  Rankings
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Message Board
  Teams
  Recruiting
Sport Sections

 
Friday, October 27
The Oklahoma offense: From Wishbone to wide open
By John Mackovic
Special to ESPN.com

It's an offense that has always been different. When Oklahoma broke out the wishbone, it was cutting edge. Now, 30 years later, the Sooners are again on the edge with their spread offense and air-it-out attack.

A quick look at the evolution of the Oklahoma offense over the years.

The Seventies
1971
One of the classic games of all-time as Oklahoma and Nebraska trade heavyweight punches with powerful, run dominated offenses that feature option football performed at the highest level. The defenses played hard but were no match for the offensive juggernauts as Nebraska won 35-31.

1972, '76, '78: Three years when games were decided by three points. Option offense and clever defenses were spectacular

The Eighties
1982, '84, '86: Three more years with close finishes and relative low scoring by both teams as defenses stiffened against the option.

1985:Barry Switzer abandons the Wishbone offense that had won five national championships in favor of a pass oriented attack with Troy Aikman at the helm. Aikman breaks his leg and is lost for the season after just four games. Jamelle Holieway takes over at quarterback and the offense returns to its run dominated style. The Sooners win the national championship by defeating Penn State in the Orange Bowl 25-10.

The Nineties
Gary Gibbs succeeds Barry Switzer and gradually moves away from the Wishbone offense in an effort to create a new Oklahoma presence. There are several disappointments as the offense makes many changes without establishing a bedrock.

During the John Blake era, Blake announces a return to the Wishbone offense to revitalize a sagging offense and hopefully recruit quality athletes. The offense continues to languish, and OU learns that athletes are now more in touch with big play offenses that throw the football.

1999:OU hires Bob Stoops from Florida. Stoops is known for defense and his first appointment is Mike Leach, the offensive coordinator from Kentucky, with the directive to install a wide open offense. Leach personally recruits Josh Heupel from junior college and promises him the opportunity to lead the Sooners "out of the wilderness."

2000
Mike Leach has moved on to Texas Tech as head coach, but the Sooner offense continues to dazzle football fans with its precision timing and versatility. Oklahoma football is once again known as a kingpin of college football offensive schemes, but this time they are passing the football instead of running it.

videoThe basic dive.
The most basic of all plays in the wishbone. Fullback Leon Crosswhite takes the simple handoff and dives through the line. While it nets just a few yards, it's important to run the play so defenses are forced to respect the fullback.
avi: 870 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoThe QB keeper
With the fake to the fullback hold the linebackers, Jack Mildren breaks right and once he sees the defense commit to Greg Pruitt, he keeps the ball himself. While it was for a short gain, the play forces the defense to defend three different players.
avi: 736 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoOpening up the passing game
The option opens up the passing game as well. Jack Mildren's fake to the fullback again freezes the defense for a split second, allowing Jon Harrison to find the opening and Mildren hits him for the big gain.
avi: 978 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoIt's not always the wishbone
Of course, the wishbone doesn't always mean option plays. Greg Pruitt goes 17 yards on a simple counter play but since defenses are expecting plays to run wide, counters and dives can often break the big gains.
avi: 765 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoThe classic
The classic play off the option. After a fake to the fullback, Charles Thompson breaks right and with the rush closing in, pitches to Anthony Stafford who scampers in for the TD. This is the play everyone associates with the option.
avi: 663 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoSomething a little different
It wasn't always wishbone in the late '80s. Here, the Sooners put a receiver in motion and run the draw play for a nice gain.
avi: 587 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoPlay action pass to Keith Jackson
Out of the wishbone, Charles Thompson fakes to the fullback and with Anthony Stafford staying in to block, TE Keith Jackson is able to get behind the linebackers for a big gain.
avi: 813 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoSurprise.
With the offense spread out and receivers in motion, Quentin Griffin is able to take the quick handoff and exploit the holes in the defense for the score. With so much motion and so many receivers, it's sometime easy to forget the run..
avi: 659 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoWho do you cover?
The Sooners spread four receivers allowing Curtis Fagan to sneak across the middle for a screen. With a wall of blockers, he goes in practically untouched. The formation and passing attack forces defenses to play off and allow Fagan the room to go free.
avi: 784 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoBig time players make big plays
As dangerous as the offense is, there has to be playmakers and OU has plenty. Here Josh Heupel buys time and finds Antwone Savage, who goes 74 yards for a TD. Notice the other receivers running with him and blocking. It's an unselfish offense.
avi: 1259 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

videoA blast from the past
Who says the Sooners aren't wishbone anymore? While Josh Heupel isn't exactly Charles Thompson, he works the option here pitching to Quentin Griffin for a TD.
avi: 1126 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1







ESPN.com: HELP | ADVERTISER INFO | CONTACT US | TOOLS | SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Click here for a list of employment opportunities at ESPN.com.