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Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Printable Version

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Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-29-2025

I just realized that Saturday--while Stanford was struggling to put away a bad SJSU team--was the 45th anniversary of Stanford's victory against a very good Oklahoma team.

I found these highlights on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnEXpJl-Uj0

OU, coached by Barry Switzer, finished 10-2, went undefeated in the Big 8, beat FSU in the Orange Bowl, and was ranked #3 in the final AP poll.

1980 was my first year at Stanford. IIRC, I was at an event for freshmen and someone occasionally announced the score of the game. It's possible it wasn't on local TV. In any case, although I read all about it in the Stanford Daily, this is the first time I have seen any footage from that game.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - gailtate - 09-29-2025

(09-29-2025, 10:30 AM)Papa John Wrote:  I just realized that Saturday--while Stanford was struggling to put away a bad SJSU team--was the 45th anniversary of Stanford's victory against a very good Oklahoma team.

I found these highlights on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnEXpJl-Uj0

OU, coached by Barry Switzer, finished 10-2, went undefeated in the Big 8, beat FSU in the Orange Bowl, and was ranked #3 in the final AP poll.

1980 was my first year at Stanford. IIRC, I was at an event for freshmen and someone occasionally announced the score of the game. It's possible it wasn't on local TV. In any case, although I read all about it in the Stanford Daily, this is the first time I have seen any footage from that game.

I was there, looking live, with a throng of my Bay Area compatriots and it was a roadie to remember. Rain? Who cared? We were aleady wet, so to speak. Watching Elway slice and and dice the dazed-and-cofused Sooners was beyond description. A Stanford moment to savor to say the least. Must add: the Sooner Faithful were as cordial, hospitable, polite and gracious as any hosts could have been. They were admittedly shell shocked but classy beyond belief. Unforgettable weekend.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-29-2025

I was at the 1984 Stanford-OU game in Norman. It was early September so I was still home in KS and able to make the 5-hour drive to Norman, after picking up a fellow Stanford compadre in Wichita. Stanford scored on the opening drive and an OU fan sitting in front of me told me that she would rip my hands off if I continued cheering so loudly for my team. Fortunately for me, I had few reasons to cheer after that as Stanford didn't score again that day.

Chip.burns@glenborough.com - sunnyside sudser - 09-29-2025

I was there as well.  Unforgettable.  The card handled the wet footing and slippery ball much better than ou did.  Our attack was light years ahead of what they were used to seeing back there.  After the disappointing loss to bc the week before this was a real shocker.  

The sooner crowd wasn’t sure what to make of our drunken rag tag crew in shorts, flip flops and trash bags but I’ll second Gail’s take on their hospitality. They just couldn’t believe what they saw. 

Still buddies with one of our o lineman from that day.  They figured out early that the big 8 officials were not too sophisticated in reffing the passing game. At first we held on because we were blocking great athletes but soon figured out we could get away with murder on that front. The game within the game.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-29-2025

Here's Ivan Maisel's story from the September 29, 1980 Stanford Daily:

https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1980/09/29?page=1&section=MODSMD_ARTICLE1

I love his opening line: "Neither cold nor rain nor the gloom of not having Darrin Nelson--and certainly not the vaunted Oklahoma defense--could prevent Stanford from its appointed touchdowns Saturday."

And for the young ones who might be wondering...yes, back then we were the Stanford Cardinals.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Spiny_Norman - 09-29-2025

What a fantastic trip down memory lane! I was born and raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After my family, my first love was OU football. In fact, I was pulling for OU in 1978 when they hung on against Steve Dils and a game Stanford squad in a tight 35-29 Sooner victory at Stanford. 

But two years later, I was going to be a Stanford sophomore. And I was all in for Stanford football. My pal Jim McGovern drove up from San Antonio to meet me in Norman. After the game, we would load my stuff in his car and head out to Palo Alto for the start of school. We witnessed a miracle on the football field that day, a day that still gives me a warm fuzzy feeling despite the damp, rainy conditions. 

Stanford had a lot of offensive talent that season including WR Andre Tyler, WR Ken Margerum, RB Mike Dotterer, TE Chris Dressel and LT Brian Holloway, all of whom would play in the NFL (plus the guy at QB). 

And yet, while Stanford was a good bet to have at least one unfathomable loss per season (Stanford lost at BC the prior week 30-13), the teams of that era were also known for improbable upsets. That's what made Stanford football fun (and maddening). They could lose to the bottom of the conference or beat the best in the country. 

This game may be the most fun I ever have had at a football game from start to finish. Well, tied with the 2016 Rose Bowl for most fun. Not only did I love all of the success that Stanford was having on the field vs. OU, I got to enjoy the schadenfreude of the shock of my OU friends. #48 for OU, the linebacker, Mike Coast? He was two years ahead of me in junior high school. He wasn't a mean guy at heart, but he was a bit of a bully as big guys, especially football dudes, often can be at that age. I was reaching higher levels of joy watching his frustration as the OU defense could not stop Stanford. It peaked at about the 23:00 mark when a sure interception went right through his hands to Andre Tyler for a TD. Watch Coast's reaction. Glorious! 

It's a 45 year old memory that still seems fresh. Thank you so much, Papa John, for finding and posting this video. I am a little wistful and sad that I can't send it to my dad who was with me that day in Norman but who is no longer here with us now.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-29-2025

Thanks for sharing your memories, Spiny Norman. Given that my awareness of Stanford sports started with that 1980 season, I think that win over OU was the biggest road win until Stanford beat #1 Notre Dame in South Bend in 1990. Of course, the Ralston and Harbaugh-Shaw glory years had more.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Spiny_Norman - 09-29-2025

(09-29-2025, 04:28 PM)Papa John Wrote:  Thanks for sharing your memories, Spiny Norman. Given that my awareness of Stanford sports started with that 1980 season, I think that win over OU was the biggest road win until Stanford beat #1 Notre Dame in South Bend in 1990. Of course, the Ralston and Harbaugh-Shaw glory years had more.

Stanford over Ohio State in Columbus in 1982 was a pretty big deal too! Imagine that, in a 4 year stretch (covering my time at Stanford), the football team beat #3 Oklahoma, #1 Washington, #13 Ohio State and tied #2 USC (coming back from a 21-0 deficit). Stanford also lost to Army, Oregon State (its only win in 1979) and a 3-8 Cal team.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - BobK - 09-29-2025

Stanford beat UCLA 21-20 1953. My first game
Stanford beat Ohio State with Hopalong Cassidy (look him Up )1956. I missed to play basketball. Never again will I miss
For a crazy reason
Big upsets

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - ADPinWDC - 09-29-2025

WOW ... Goalposts were at the backline then, and everything.  Elway.
Reagan wasn't even President yet.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - cardcrimson - 09-29-2025

(09-29-2025, 11:40 AM)Papa John Wrote:  I was at the 1984 Stanford-OU game in Norman. It was early September so I was still home in KS and able to make the 5-hour drive to Norman, after picking up a fellow Stanford compadre in Wichita. Stanford scored on the opening drive and an OU fan sitting in front of me told me that she would rip my hands off if I continued cheering so loudly for my team. Fortunately for me, I had few reasons to cheer after that as Stanford didn't score again that day.

Had a similar experience in South Bend, only we ended up obliterating the Irish. . . . Twas a hoot.
(09-29-2025, 05:18 PM)Spiny_Norman Wrote:  
(09-29-2025, 04:28 PM)Papa John Wrote:  Thanks for sharing your memories, Spiny Norman. Given that my awareness of Stanford sports started with that 1980 season, I think that win over OU was the biggest road win until Stanford beat #1 Notre Dame in South Bend in 1990. Of course, the Ralston and Harbaugh-Shaw glory years had more.

Stanford over Ohio State in Columbus in 1982 was a pretty big deal too! Imagine that, in a 4 year stretch (covering my time at Stanford), the football team beat #3 Oklahoma, #1 Washington, #13 Ohio State and tied #2 USC (coming back from a 21-0 deficit). Stanford also lost to Army, Oregon State (its only win in 1979) and a 3-8 Cal team.
The USC game was my freshman year. What a great experience! Even the drive down I5 was a hoot. . ..

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-30-2025

(09-29-2025, 05:18 PM)Spiny_Norman Wrote:  
(09-29-2025, 04:28 PM)Papa John Wrote:  Thanks for sharing your memories, Spiny Norman. Given that my awareness of Stanford sports started with that 1980 season, I think that win over OU was the biggest road win until Stanford beat #1 Notre Dame in South Bend in 1990. Of course, the Ralston and Harbaugh-Shaw glory years had more.

Stanford over Ohio State in Columbus in 1982 was a pretty big deal too! <snip>

Stanford-Ohio State was September 25, 1982. I was flying back to Stanford that day for my junior year. 3-hour drive to Kansas City, connection in Denver, onward to SFO. When I landed in Denver (anyone else remember Stapleton Airport with the world's largest pinball machine?) the game was just starting. I had to board my flight to SFO just as the first half was ending and Stanford was down 13-0. I didn't mind missing the second half because I was convinced that Stanford was going to lose, but the first thing my dormmate said when he met me at the arrival gate was "what a great win over Ohio State!" It was only then that I learned about the Elway-led comeback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8NZBH-W7wE

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - martyup - 09-30-2025

In the OK game, the third Q TD catch by Tyler would have been overturned today with video review.  The ball came out when he hit the ground (video at 19:35).

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - martyup - 09-30-2025

(09-30-2025, 12:21 PM)Papa John Wrote:  
(09-29-2025, 05:18 PM)Spiny_Norman Wrote:  
(09-29-2025, 04:28 PM)Papa John Wrote:  Thanks for sharing your memories, Spiny Norman. Given that my awareness of Stanford sports started with that 1980 season, I think that win over OU was the biggest road win until Stanford beat #1 Notre Dame in South Bend in 1990. Of course, the Ralston and Harbaugh-Shaw glory years had more.

Stanford over Ohio State in Columbus in 1982 was a pretty big deal too! <snip>

Stanford-Ohio State was September 25, 1982. I was flying back to Stanford that day for my junior year. 3-hour drive to Kansas City, connection in Denver, onward to SFO. When I landed in Denver (anyone else remember Stapleton Airport with the world's largest pinball machine?) the game was just starting. I had to board my flight to SFO just as the first half was ending and Stanford was down 13-0. I didn't mind missing the second half because I was convinced that Stanford was going to lose, but the first thing my dormmate said when he met me at the arrival gate was "what a great win over Ohio State!" It was only then that I learned about the Elway-led comeback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8NZBH-W7wE

How about that Barney Fife looking ref. 

[Image: ?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.tenor.com%2Fm%2F...e309eb40da]

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-30-2025

(09-30-2025, 02:54 PM)martyup Wrote:  In the OK game, the third Q TD catch by Tyler would have been overturned today with video review.  The ball came out when he hit the ground (video at 19:35).

I agree with you, but the rules re: what constitutes a reception were different then. I believe you just had to have possession. Note that the announcers don't comment on the fact that the ball came out when the receiver landed on it.

IIRC, there was a game in the early 90s (I think) when Stanford scored the winning touchdown on what would have definitely not been a catch today. The receiver caught the ball in the end zone and a few milliseconds later was leveled by his own player and the ball came out. Still ruled a TD, although I'm sure the opposing team--maybe Colorado?--had a different opinion.
I found it. It was against Colorado in 1993:

https://youtu.be/G5gJMBos-VY?t=3763

And I was wrong, the defender made the hit on the TE to jar the bar loose. Definitely would have been ruled an incomplete pass today, but the defender would have been ejected for targeting.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-30-2025

(09-30-2025, 04:36 PM)82lsju Wrote:  and one of the Cal TDs in Big Game in 1982 was not caught (I think the first one, in any case it was in the end zone in front of the Stanford section and it sure looked incomplete to all of us)

I'm sorry, this thread is reserved for happy memories.

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - 82lsju - 09-30-2025

(09-30-2025, 04:47 PM)Papa John Wrote:  I'm sorry, this thread is reserved for happy memories.

I deleted my original post

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - BostonCard - 09-30-2025

Papa John dateline='[url=tel:1759273977' Wrote:  1759273977[/url]']
I found it. It was against Colorado in 1993:

https://youtu.be/G5gJMBos-VY?t=3763

And I was wrong, the defender made the hit on the TE to jar the bar loose. Definitely would have been ruled an incomplete pass today, but the defender would have been ejected for targeting.

Yup, definitely not a catch, but also definitely targeting under today’s rules.

BC

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - Papa John - 09-30-2025

(09-30-2025, 06:10 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  
Papa John dateline='[url=tel:1759273977' Wrote:  1759273977[/url]']
I found it. It was against Colorado in 1993:

https://youtu.be/G5gJMBos-VY?t=3763

And I was wrong, the defender made the hit on the TE to jar the bar loose. Definitely would have been ruled an incomplete pass today, but the defender would have been ejected for targeting.

Yup, definitely not a catch, but also definitely targeting under today’s rules.

BC

Interpolating from the color commentator, all that was required back then was possession and one foot down in the field of play. The receiver accomplished both of those things so, per the color commentator, the officials made the correct call. Which was pretty bold of them, because when I saw it in real time I did not think it was a completed pass--but I also didn't/still don't know for certain what the rule was back then. If the officials had ruled an incomplete pass, it would have been 4th and goal from the 5 with 8 seconds left.

By today's rules, with the targeting it would have been 1st down and goal to go for Stanford. I think the ball would have been placed at the 2 yard-line because the targeting occurred in the end zone.

I just checked and Colorado was ranked #7 in the AP poll before that game in 1993. Which makes sense considering they had players like Kordell Stewart, Michael Westbrook, Christian Fauria and future H.eisman winner Rashaan Salaam (RIP).

RE: Stanford football @ Oklahoma, September 27, 1980 - martyup - 10-01-2025

Watching those old games, I saw a lot of hits that would have been called targeting today.  I attended the Offense/Defense football camp in Oakland, CA, six times (1972-1977).  I was an OLB/DE and we were taught (by college and NFL coaches) to tackle by leading with the crown of our helmet into the center of gravity area of the tacklee.  After perfecting that technique, I can't imagine having to deal with a new rule that made it illegal.  I would most likely been ejected from every game.

[Image: ?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.makeagif.com%2Fmedia%...a43c1f9692]