There are now 10 days left until the beginning of college football. To celebrate this auspicious and great sport I have compiled 10 great moments in MW football history. The rankings aren't necessarily top to bottom, and there are always room for opinions.
Sometimes a season is defined on one moment, sometimes that moment comes a little too early in the season. If TCU had played Oklahoma the last game of the season, this would have probably thrown the Horned Frogs in the BCS mix. Nevertheless, the season opener in Norman was one that people would not forget throughout the course of the season, nor history.
In 2005, the Sooners hadn't suffered a home loss at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium since 2001. Being ranked No. 7 in the nation, Oklahoma had an arsenal of offensive weapons: Paul Thompson at QB, Adrian Peterson at RB and Travis Wilson at WR. TCU had Tye Gunn. From the beginning it looked like Oklahoma should have had this game in the bag. Fifth year head coach Gary Patterson had his defensive game plan ready though.
After the Sooners drove to the TCU 10, Jermaine Hardison took the ball down to the 5 and fumbled the ball. TCU recovered the ball and although had to punt it after 6 plays, they got the ball safely out of their half and forced Oklahoma to drive again. The second quarter began and Oklahoma punted forcing TCU to start from their own 16. From there the scoring started for the Horned Frogs. The rush offense led the way and Tye Gunn finished the drive with a 16 yard pass to Derek Moore. After another 3 and out, TCU stormed down the field to score a field goal and keep the lead at 10-0 at halftime.
Adrian Peterson wouldn't let the Sooners go down without a fight. The former Heisman finalist rushed for 42 yards on the Sooners' first drive of the second half, finishing the touch with a touchdown. After a stalled drive from each team, TCU miffed a punt and allowed Oklahoma to start the drive at the TCU 17. With a field goal to tie the game, the upset was ready to finish in the 4th quarter.
Early in the 4th, TCU's stingy defense struck again, this time in the form of a forced fumble. With Oklahoma's backup quarterback in the game, disaster struck. TCU's defense forced a sack and fumble, with David Hawthorne picking it up and sprinting 20 yards down to the Oklahoma 17. A quick touchdown and the upset was nearly complete. With more defensive stops (1 INT, 1 TOD and 1 fumble) the upset was complete. TCU became the first team to defeat the Sooners at home since 2001.
Up next: This 83 year old rivalry took a shocking turn, as the heavy favorites fell to the underdogs in a Week 1 stunner.