2006 Oklahoma Sooners football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2006
Team=Oklahoma Sooners


Conference=Big 12 Conference
Division=South
ShortConference=Big 12
CoachRank=11
APRank=11
Record=11–3
ConfRecord=7–1
HeadCoach=Bob Stoops
OffCoach=Kevin Wilson
DefCoach=Brent Venables
OScheme=Multiple/Northwestern Spread
DScheme=Multiple/4-2-5/4-3
Stadium=Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Champion=Big 12 Champions
Bowl= Fiesta Bowl
BowlResult=Lost 42–43 (OT)The 2006 Oklahoma Sooners football team (variously "Oklahoma", "OU", or the "Sooners") represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 2006-2007, winning the Big 12 Conference Championship. The team was coached by Bob Stoops, led on offense by quarterback Paul Thompson, and played their homes games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The previous year's team ended the with eight wins and four losses, third in the Big 12 South standings and 22nd in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls.

The season began on a bad note when the starting quarterback and an offensive lineman were kicked off the team the day before fall practice started. The Sooners lost two of their first five games including a controversial loss to the Oregon Ducks and a loss to the defending national champion Texas Longhorns. They followed those losses with eight consecutive wins. The Sooners won their fourth conference championship under Bob Stoops to make 40 conference championships total. [cite web | url=http://soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-conf-titles.html | publisher=SoonerSports.com | accessdate=2007-09-12 | title=OU Football Tradition - 40 Conference Championships ] They played Boise State University in the Fiesta Bowl and lost in what many consider one of the "greatest" bowl games of all time.cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2007/01/boises-thrilling-win-landmark-moment.html |title=College Football Blog: Boise's Thrilling Win a Landmark Moment |author=Mandel, Stewart |publisher="Sports Illustrated" |date=January 2, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-10 ] cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/arash_markazi/01/02/inside.boise/index.html |author=Markazi, Arash| title=Behind the scenes with Boise |publisher="Sports Illustrated" |date=January 2, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-10 ] cite news | last=Dufresne | first=Chris | title=A perfectly incredible ending | publisher="Los Angeles Times" | date=January 2, 2007 | p=D1 | archiveurl=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1188055711.html?dids=1188055711:1188055711&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+2%2C+2007&author=Chris+Dufresne&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=D.1&desc=FIESTA+BOWL+%7C+BOISE+STATE+43%2C+OKLAHOMA+42+(OT)%3B+A+perfectly+incredible+ending%3B+Broncos+finish+their+season+13-0+by+using+a+handful+of+trick+plays+to+defeat+the+Sooners. | archivedate=2007-12-11 | url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nufiesta2jan02,1,6349132,full.story?coll=la-headlines-sports ] The Sooners' defense again ended the season nationally ranked finishing number one is several categories in the conference. Following the season, Adrian Peterson was selected seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. In addition to Peterson, Rufus Alexander and C. J. Ah You were also drafted into the National Football League (NFL).

Preseason

After the previous year's 8–4 season, the Sooners looked to return to past success in 2006. Standout running back Adrian Peterson came into the season healthy and was also on the Maxwell Award watch list. [cite web | title=OU's Bomar, Peterson make Maxwell Award watch list | accessdate=2006-07-05 | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2484583 | publisher=ESPN.com ] Star linebacker Rufus Alexander, (a Bednarik Award hopeful, [cite web | title=Alexander on Bednarik List | date=2006-06-15 | url=http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/061506aaa.html | work=SoonerSports.com|publisher=University of Oklahoma Athletic Department|accessdate= 2007-08-21 ] ) returned for his senior campaign as did defensive ends C.J. Ah You, Larry Birdine, and Calvin Thibodeaux (Ah You and Birdine were Ted Hendricks Award hopefuls. [cite web | title=Ah You, Birdine on Hendricks List | date=2006-06-19 | url=http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/061906aaa.html | work=SoonerSports.com |publisher=University of Oklahoma Athletic Department |accessdate =2007-08-21] ) Reggie Smith was also named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list. [cite news | title=Notebook | first=Guerin | last=Emig | publisher=Tulsa World | date=2006-08-05 ]

Nearly all major sports publications had the Sooners in the preseason Top 10,See also 2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings.] Fact|date=December 2007 but many opinions changed before the first kickoff.Fact|date=December 2007 Some had the Sooners as the preseason #1 pick including Athlon [cite web | title=Preseason Top 25 | accessdate=2006-07-05 | url=http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/8701/preseason-top-25 | publisher=Athlon Sports, Inc ] and Gold Sheet. [cite web | title=THE GOLD SHEET PRESEASON TOP 25! | accessdate=2006-07-05 | url=http://www.goldsheet.com/articles/AnnualExcerpts.php | publisher=The Gold Sheet | author=Marshall, Bruce ] The team had a lot of young talent this year. The high school scouting website Rivals.com ranked Oklahoma's 2005 recruiting class number one in the nation [cite web | url=http://rivals100.rivals.com/teamrankenrolled.asp?Year=2005&Page=1&Type=0&Sort=0 | title=2005 Team Rankings | publisher=Rivals.com | accessdate=2006-08-02 ] and the 2006 recruiting class number nine. [cite web | url=http://rivals100.rivals.com/teamrank.asp?SID=880&Sport=1 | title=2006 Team Rankings | publisher=Rivals.com | accessdate=2006-08-02 ] Most of 2006 signees redshirted and did not play in 2006. When combined with statements from the Oklahoma coaching staff, the Sooners expected to be back in contention for the national title this year. On July 24, 2006, the Sooners were a 5–1 favorite to win the National Championship.cite news | first=Jeff | last=Haney | url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sports/2006/jul/24/566643798.html | title=Jeff Haney draws a bead on a long shot to win the 2007 BCS championship | publisher=Las Vegas Sun | accessdate=2006-07-24 ]

On August 2, 2006, quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn, both sophomores, were dismissed from the team. [cite news | title=Bomar off OU football team | publisher=NewsOK.com | url=http://newsok.com/article/2824545/ | date=August 2, 2006 ] It was reported that they violated NCAA regulations regarding receiving extra compensation. It was later determined Bomar received $7,406.88 and Quinn $8,137.17.cite journal |last=Hoover |first=John E. |year=2007 |month=February |title=A Year to Remember |journal=Sooners Illustrated |volume=28 |issue=6 |pages=8–11 |id=ISSN|0279-3288 ] The loss of these two key players affected the team's placement in many publications' preseason polls as well as their chances of winning a national championship. [cite news | title=Change of direction: Suspension at OU puts Texas in familiar role | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060827/ai_n16696915 | date=2006-08-27 | accessdate=2007-12-12 | first=Jaime | last=Aron | publisher=Deseret News (Salt Lake City) ] The team turned to starting quarterback Paul Thompson (a converted wide receiver in 2005) and backup Joey Halzle to lead the team.

After investigating the Bomar scandal, on 2007-07-11, the NCAA announced a finding of "failure to monitor" the employment of student athletes and handed out penalties. These included a verdict that all wins from the 2005 Oklahoma season were vacated, changing the team's record from 8–4 to 0–4 for that year. [cite news | title=NCAA: OU must forfeit 2005 wins | url=http://newsok.com/article/3081227 | publisher=NewsOk.com | date=2007-07-11 | accessdate=2007-07-11 ] The university of Oklahoma has announced that it will appeal the finding and the vacatur of the wins from the 2005 season. [cite web | title=OU's response to the NCAA sanctions | url=http://newsok.com/article/3081535 | publisher=NewsOK.com | date=2007-07-12 | accessdate=2007-07-13]

College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Curtis Bailey
position = OL
hometown = Dallas, TX
highschool = David W Carter HS
feet = 6
inches = 6.5
weight = 347.5
40 = 5.8
commitdate = 2005-12-06
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jeremy Beal
position = DE/DT
hometown = Carrollton, TX
highschool = Creekview HS
feet = 6
inches = 2.5
weight = 244
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 2005-12-18
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chase Beeler
position = OL
hometown = Jenks, OK
highschool = Jenks HS
feet = 6
inches = 3.5
weight = 275
40 = 5.34
commitdate = 2006-01-01
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 75College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Sam Bradford
position = QB
hometown = Oklahoma City, OK
highschool = Putnam City North HS
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 195
40 = 4.67
commitdate = 2005-05-24
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Cory Brandon
position = OL
hometown = Corsicana, TX
highschool = Corsicana HS
feet = 6
inches = 6
weight = 262.5
40 = 5.2
commitdate = 2005-07-05
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chris Brown
position = RB
hometown = Alexandria, LA
highschool = Alexandria Senior HS
feet = 5
inches = 10.25
weight = 193
40 = 4.48
commitdate = 2005-12-05
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Brandon Caleb
position = WR
hometown = Fork Union, VA
highschool = Fork Union Military Academy
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 195
40 = 4.58
commitdate = 2005-08-12
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Quinton Carter
position = S/ATH
hometown = North Las Vegas, NV
highschool = Cheyenne HS
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 178
40 = 4.55
commitdate = 2005-12-19
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Brandon Crow
position = LB
hometown = Comanche, OK
highschool = Comanche HS
feet = 6
inches = 1.5
weight = 212
40 = 4.66
commitdate = 2005-11-02
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Dominique Franks
position = CB/DB
hometown = Tulsa, OK
highschool = Union HS
feet = 5
inches = 11.5
weight = 181
40 = 4.44
commitdate = 2005-11-07
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 74College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jermaine Gresham
position = TE
hometown = Ardmore, OK
highschool = Ardmore HS
feet = 6
inches = 6.5
weight = 228
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 2006-02-01
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 81College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Joey Halzle
position = QB
hometown = Huntington Beach, CA
highschool = Golden Beach CC
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 215
40 = 4.58
commitdate = 2005-12-11
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Tim Johnson
position = DE
hometown = Homewood, IL
highschool = NE Oklahoma A&M
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 260
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 2005-07-29
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Pryce Macon
position = DE/DT
hometown = Corpus Christi, TX
highschool = Carroll HS
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 254
40 = 4.78
commitdate = 2005-06-30
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Mossis Madu
position = RB/ATH
hometown = Norman, OK
highschool = Norman HS
feet = 6
inches = 0.5
weight = 190
40 = 4.49
commitdate = 2005-12-20
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Gerald McCoy
position = DT
hometown = Oklahoma City, OK
highschool = Southeast HS
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 295
40 = 4.95
commitdate = 2006-02-01
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 89College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Eric Mensik
position = TE
hometown = Rosenberg, TX
highschool = B. F. Terry HS
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 231.5
40 = 4.87
commitdate = 2005-12-11
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Sherrone Moore
position = OL
hometown = El Dorado, KS
highschool = Butler County CC
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 305
40 = 5.2
commitdate = 2006-01-07
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = DeMarco Murray
position = RB
hometown = Las Vegas, NV
highschool = Bishop Gorman HS
feet = 6
inches = 0.5
weight = 184
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2006-01-07
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 92College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jonathan Nelson
position = CB/DB
hometown = Arlington, TX
highschool = Mansfield Summit HS
feet = 5
inches = 11.5
weight = 175
40 = 4.46
commitdate = 2005-07-08
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 81College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chris Patterson
position = LB
hometown = Chicago, IL
highschool = Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
feet = 6
inches = 2.5
weight = 223
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 2003-08-08
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chad Roark
position = OL
hometown = Ada, OK
highschool = Ada HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 287
40 = 5.18
commitdate = 2005-10-25
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Daniel Tabon
position = LB/ATH
hometown = Altus, OK
highschool = Altus HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 215
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 2005-12-20
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Adrian Taylor
position = DT
hometown = Mansfield, TX
highschool = Mansfield HS
feet = 6
inches = 4.5
weight = 270
40 = 5.35
commitdate = 2006-01-09
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Adron Tennell
position = WR
hometown = Irving, TX
highschool = Irving HS
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 183
40 = 4.49
commitdate = 2005-07-21
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 85College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Brandon Walker
position = OL
hometown = Detroit, MI
highschool = Coffeyville CC
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 315
40 = 5.25
commitdate = 2006-01-28
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Malcolm Williams
position = S
hometown = Grand Prairie, TX
highschool = South Grand Prairie HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 174
40 = 4.51
commitdate = 2006-01-14
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Trent Williams
position = OL
hometown = Longview, TX
highschool = Longview HS
feet = 6
inches = 4.5
weight = 295
40 = 5.33
commitdate = 2005-12-11
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 76College Athlete Recruit End
40 = yes
year = 2006
rivals ref title = Oklahoma 2006 Football Commitments
scout ref title = 2006 Oklahoma Commits
espn ref title = 2006 Player Commitments - Oklahoma
rivals school = 57
scout s = 146
espn schoolid = 201
scout overall = t7
rivals overall = 9
accessdate = 2006-02-06
bball =
collapse = yes

chedule

CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 09/02/2006
nonconf = yes
time = 6:00 p.m.
rank = 5
opponent = UAB
site_stadium = Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Norman, OK
tv = TBS
score = 24–17CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 09/09/2006
nonconf = yes
time = 2:30 p.m.
rank = 10
opponent = Washington
site_stadium = Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Norman, OK
tv = ABC
score = 37–20CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = l
date= 09/16/2006
nonconf = yes
time = 2:30 p.m.
rank = 11
away = yes
opprank = 18
opponent = Oregon
site_stadium = Autzen Stadium
site_cityst = Eugene, OR
tv = ABC
score = 34–33CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 09/23/2006
nonconf = yes
time = 6:00 p.m.
rank = 16
opponent = Middle Tennessee
site_stadium = Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Norman, OK
tv = PPV
score = 59–0CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = l
date= 10/07/2006
time = 2:30 p.m.
rank = 14
neutral = yes
opprank = 7
opponent = Texas
site_stadium = Cotton Bowl
site_cityst = Dallas, TX
gamename = Red River Rivalry
tv = ABC
score = 28–10CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 10/14/2006
time = 11:30 a.m.
rank = 22
opponent = Iowa State
site_stadium = Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Norman, OK
tv = FSN
score = 34–9CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 10/21/2006
homecoming = yes
time = 6:00 p.m.
rank = 20
opponent = Colorado
site_stadium = Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Norman, OK
tv = FSN
score = 24–3CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 10/28/2006
time = 11:00 a.m.
rank = 19
away = yes
opprank = 23
opponent = Missouri
site_stadium = Faurot Field
site_cityst = Columbia, MO
tv = ABC
score = 26–10CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 11/04/2006
time = 7:00 p.m.
rank = 18
away = yes
opprank = 21
opponent = Texas A&M
site_stadium = Kyle Field
site_cityst = College Station, TX
tv = ABC
score = 17–16CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 11/11/2006
time = 6:00 p.m.
rank = 17
opponent = Texas Tech
site_stadium = Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Norman, OK
tv = FSN
score = 34–24CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 11/18/2006
time = 11:00 a.m.
rank = 16
away = yes
opponent = Baylor
site_stadium = Floyd Casey Stadium
site_cityst = Waco, TX
tv = FSN
score = 36–10CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 11/25/2006
time = 1:30 p.m.
rank = 14
away = yes
opponent = Oklahoma State
site_stadium = Boone Pickens Stadium
site_cityst = Stillwater, OK
gamename = Bedlam
tv = FSN
score = 27–21CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date= 12/02/2006
time = 7:00 p.m.
rank = 10
neutral = yes
opprank = 18
opponent = Nebraska
site_stadium = Arrowhead Stadium
site_cityst = Kansas City, MO
gamename = Big 12 Championship Game
tv = ABC
score = 21–7CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = l
date= 01/01/2007
nonconf = yes
time = 7:30 p.m.
rank = 8
neutral = yes
opprank = 9
opponent = Boise State
site_stadium = University of Phoenix Stadium
site_cityst = Glendale, AZ
gamename = Fiesta Bowl
tv = FOX
score = 43–42
overtime = OT

Roster

In 2006, the Sooners competed with a relatively young team. Oklahoma listed 72 players on the roster and only nine of them are scholarship seniors. [cite news | url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/oklahoma/stories/072706dnspooulede.34ecc6e.html | title=Peterson, OU are set to strut their stuff | publisher=The Dallas Morning News Co. | accessdate=2006-07-27 | first=Brian | last=Davis | date=January 27, 2006 ] With the loss of quarterback Rhett Bomar, the squad was back to where they were at the beginning of 2005 – wondering who will be the new starting quarterback.Fact|date=December 2007 Fifth year senior Paul Thompson reconverted back to his former role of quarterback after spending 2005 as a wide receiver. Junior college transfer Joey Halzle was slotted as his backup. Thompson had talented wide receivers to look to in 2006, including Malcolm Kelly, Manuel Johnson, and Juaquin Iglesias.Fact|date=December 2007 Not to mention junior Adrian Peterson, the team's main ball carrier. Most of the Sooners' experience was on the other side of the ball. The Sooner linebackers were the most experienced players on the team. The squad was anchored by Rufus Alexander and Zach Latimer. Alexander was ranked as the third best linebacker in the country at the beginning of the season by College Football News. [cite web | title=2006 CFN All-America Linebackers | accessdate=2006-07-13 | url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/561233.html | publisher=Collegefootballnews.com ] Behind them were other key players such as Demarrio Pleasant and Lewis Baker. Sophomore Ryan Reynolds, a notable player coming out of high school, was injured in the preseason and therefore was unable to contribute in 2006. In addition to a veteran linebacker squad, Oklahoma had a number of big-name defensive ends. During the preseason, College Football News ranked Larry Birdine, Calvin Thibodeaux and C.J. Ah You in the top 25 best defensive ends for the 2006 season (ranked 14th, 20th, and 22nd, respectively). [cite web | title=2006 CFN All-America Defensive Ends| accessdate=2006-07-13 | url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/561230.html | publisher=Collegefootballnews.com ] Oklahoma was the only team with three players in the top 25.Fact|date=December 2007

Coaching staff

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pecial teams

Statistics from: cite web | url=http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/teamcume.html | title=Oklahoma Sooners - Cumulative Season Statistics | publisher=SoonerSports.com | accessdate=2007-12-05
^* National rankings: cite web | url=http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2006/Internet/ranking_summary/2006000000522.HTML | title=Oklahoma Ranking Summary | publisher=NCAA | accessdate=2007-01-17

References

External links

* [http://soonersports.com SoonerSports.com - Official OU Athletics website]
* [http://www.cfbstats.com/2006/team/522/index.html cfbstats.com - Oklahoma]