Legend of the Red October Run

Dedicated to the 2000 National College Football Champions, the Oklahoma Sooners -------------------------------------------------------------- Over fifty years, boy and man, I’ve been a Sooners fan Watched and reveled in their glories, every one; But there’s no more glorious “Sooner Magic” Than the Red October Run. The new millennium's first football season, Excited Sooners fans’ hopes did soar. They had tasted victory in Bob Stoops’ first year; Now, they wanted - no, expected - even more. There was a glint of promise in Bob’s eyes, Strength and confidence in his every word. “Our Team has shown improvement”, is what he said; “We’ll win!” is what fans heard. By September’s end, the Sooners were 4 and O, A “cupcake schedule” some anxious fans would say; Twenty-two days in October would rule their destiny. Texas, K-State, Nebraska, the teams they’d have to play. “OU’s October is a gauntlet”, said ESPN; “Play #10 and #2 and #1…and win”? So, on a rainy Saturday morning in Dallas, The Red October Run would begin. The Texas State Fair at the Cotton Bowl, Fans were welcomed by Big Tex. They screamed, “Go OU!” and “Hook’em Horns!”; But none could imagine what happened next. Heupel was a dominating General; The Sooners Offense, his relentless troops. Calmus and the Defense assured a total rout, The Coach of the Day was Bob Stoops. Sooners fans were wild, delirious with glee; But Bob seemed focused and sedate. “We’ll enjoy this victory Sunday; Then Monday, we’ll prepare for Kansas State”. No time to revel in the Glory, #2 was tough. Better than the Huskers? The possibility was real. The road to #1 went through Manhattan, And the Sooners would have to win it on the field. The sportscasters had a field day. Last year’s “coaching coup” was news again. Beasley versus Heupel was “The Match-up”. Could Heupel evade K-State’s awesome defense and find a way to win? Again, Heupel and his troops met the challenge; And as the Sooners “D” assured a hard fought win, Every Sooners fan’s heart was stirred. Could our Sooners be “Big Red” again? Mighty Nebraska, #1, was coming to Owen Field. “Biggest OU - Nebraska game in years!” Corso said. It would be 1 versus 2, a heralded gridiron epic For the coveted title of…”Big Red”. It was OU’s biggest home game ever. The campus was alive with vendors and would-be ticket buyers. Every Sooners Fan’s heart was pounding. Could the smell of #1 stoke the Sooners' fires? The Huskers struck so quickly. At 14 to nothing, Sooners fans were stunned. It was shaping up to be a long, long day; And it wasn’t going to be fun. Quickly tho’, Heupel rallied his Sooners troops. They scored and scored and scored again. The Sooners “D” built a Wall at the 50, And would not let the Huskers in. Winners, the Sooners ran and jumped with glee. Fans flooded Owen Field, milling all around, Praising and hugging their Sooners Heroes. They even tore the goal post down. Now #1, the Sooners had won it on the field. Their preparation had been well taught. Bob Stoops, all his great coaches and assistants, Took pride in how the Sooners fought. Someone once said, “Everyone loves a winner.” Everywhere you looked confirmed it’s true. OU flags fluttered. Decals, hats, and clothes abound. Come November, the Sooners and their Fans had been renewed, There’s no slighting the importance of Red October. The Sooners came together as a Team. No doubt too, without “The Red October Run” Their National Championship would still be just a dream. For the next five games, it was simply unacceptable For the Sooners to even think that they could fail; And, tho’ Heupel played injured, they won the Big 12 Championship; Great Sooners Defense had prevailed. But no one gave these Big 12 Champs the slightest chance to win Against the mighty Seminoles of Florida State. The Heisman Trophy Winner was their quarterback And their defense was touted to be great. At the coin toss, Team Captain Torrance Marshall Said to their quarterback in words most serious and sure, “You took our boy’s trophy”. Then he smiled, “Now we’re gonna take yours”. The Sooners “D” was everywhere and completely shut them down; And, when Quentin Griffin’s touchdown closed the door, Their quarterback knew that Marshall’s words rang true; The not-so-mighty ‘Noles had not been allowed to score. Yes, Bob Stoops and his Sooners knew the challenge: To win Each game ‘til Every game’s been won; Win for Sooners and their Fans the unchallenged right To revel in the Glory of being #1. Yes, my Sooners Team goes on and on, Different faces, different names; But these Sooners Champions will be well remembered For the Season they won Every game. Undefeated National Champions! Before October, who would have ever dreamed? Why, just last year, we didn’t even know the players' names; And now, they’re College Football’s Greatest Team. To overcome all adversity and rise to every challenge, The reward for such a feat is being #1; Their path to Glory born of a Sooners Legend Called The Red October Run. -----------------------------------------