Top 10 Historic Moments in Red River Rivalry History

From miracle comebacks to stunning upsets, the Red River Rivalry has given us countless unforgettable moments. Here are the top 10 that define this legendary matchup.

#10: The 2008 Shootout (Oklahoma 45, Texas 45… Then Texas 45, Oklahoma 35)

The Game That Changed Everything

October 11, 2008 - A game that would determine the National Championship picture.

The Setup:

Both teams undefeated (#1 Oklahoma, #5 Texas)
National title implications
Heisman Trophy race between Bradford and McCoy

The Drama:

Texas jumped to 35-17 lead
Oklahoma stormed back: 45-35
Final score: 45-35 Texas victory
Both teams finished 11-1, split Big 12 title

Why It’s Historic: Despite both teams going 11-1 and tied for the Big 12 South, the BCS computer rankings sent Oklahoma to the title game while Texas stayed home. The controversy still burns Texas fans to this day.

Legendary Quote: “We were right there, and they picked someone else.” - Mack Brown

#9: Billy Sims’ Heisman Performance (1978)

The Day a Legend Was Born

October 14, 1978 - Oklahoma 31, Texas 10

The Performance:

Billy Sims: 131 yards rushing
2 touchdowns
Dominant display of power running
Solidified Heisman campaign

Why It’s Historic: This game put Sims on the national stage. He’d go on to win the 1978 Heisman Trophy. The performance embodied everything the Red River Rivalry represented: physicality, star power, and championship stakes.

Legacy: Sims’ legacy lives on in Oklahoma lore, and this game showcased why.

#8: The “Sooner Magic” of 1984 (Oklahoma 15, Texas 15)

The Last Tie

October 13, 1984 - Final score: 15-15

The Controversy:

Texas appeared to score late TD
Officials ruled player down at 1-yard line
Time expired
Result: TIE

Why It’s Historic: This was the LAST tie in Red River Rivalry history. College football later adopted overtime rules, ensuring we’d never see another deadlock in this rivalry.

The Debate: Texas fans still argue they scored. Oklahoma fans still say they didn’t. The debate continues 40+ years later.

#7: Vince Young’s Coming-Out Party (2004)

The Beginning of a Legacy

October 9, 2004 - Texas 12, Oklahoma 0

The Moment:

Vince Young: 241 yards total offense
Defensive shutout of #2 Oklahoma
Launched Young’s Heisman campaign
Mack Brown’s program-defining win

The Impact:

Ended Oklahoma’s dominance
Started Texas’s run to 2005 national title
Introduced nation to VY
Shifted power in Big 12

What Made It Special: In a rivalry of high-scoring affairs, this defensive masterpiece stood out. Texas stuffed the high-powered Oklahoma offense and announced their arrival as a national power.

#6: The Boz and Brian (1986-1987)

When Personalities Collided

The Rivalry Within the Rivalry

Players:

Brian Bosworth (Oklahoma) - Flamboyant linebacker
Brian “Boz” became the face of OU swagger
Texas players and fans hated him

1986 Game: Oklahoma 47, Texas 12

The Boz: 3 sacks, dominated
Trash talked throughout
Texas humiliated

1987 Revenge: Oklahoma 44, Texas 9

Texas couldn’t stop Oklahoma again
The Boz legend grew
Became symbol of 1980s OU dominance

Why It’s Historic: The Boz brought WWE-level personality to the rivalry. Love him or hate him, everyone remembers him.

#5: Earl Campbell’s Dominance (1977)

The Tyler Rose Runs Wild

October 8, 1977 - Texas 13, Oklahoma 6

The Performance:

Earl Campbell: 124 yards rushing
Ground-and-pound in the rain
Physical, bruising football
Sealed Heisman Trophy

The Significance: This wasn’t just a game; it was Campbell cementing his legacy. On a muddy Cotton Bowl field, he out-muscled Oklahoma’s defense and proved he was the best player in the nation.

Historic Impact: Campbell won the Heisman a month later. This game was the defining moment of his campaign.

#4: The Goal Line Stand (2000)

When Inches Changed Everything

October 7, 2000 - Oklahoma 63, Texas 14

The Defining Play:

Late in 1st half
Texas threatening to tie at 7-7
Oklahoma stuffs Texas FOUR times inside the 1-yard line
OU never looks back

The Aftermath:

Oklahoma demolished Texas 63-14
Started 8-game win streak over Texas
Launched Bob Stoops era of dominance
National championship that year

Why It’s #4: This goal-line stand wasn’t just about one game—it shifted the entire rivalry’s balance for a decade. Oklahoma owned Texas from 2000-2008.

#3: The 2018 Shootout (Texas 48, Oklahoma 45)

The New Era Begins

October 6, 2018 - Texas 48, Oklahoma 45

The Setup:

Texas struggling under Tom Herman
Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray (eventual Heisman winner)
Texas hadn’t beaten OU since 2013

The Game:

Back-and-forth thriller
Sam Ehlinger’s heroics
Texas rallies from 21-17 halftime deficit
Final drive: 48-45 Texas victory

The Celebration:

“Texas is BACK, folks!” - Tom Herman
Students rushed field (figuratively, in Dallas)
Social media exploded
Hope restored in Austin

Why It’s Historic: After years of Oklahoma dominance, Texas finally broke through. The game represented more than a win—it symbolized a possible program rebirth (even if short-lived).

#2: The “Game of the Century” (1963)

When #1 Met #2

October 12, 1963 - Texas 28, Oklahoma 7

The Matchup:

#1 Oklahoma vs #2 Texas
Both undefeated
National championship on the line
President JFK attended

The Result:

Texas dominated 28-7
Statement victory
Launched Texas to national title
Darrell Royal’s masterpiece

The Legacy: Called “Game of the Century” at the time (pre-internet hyperbole!). Texas went on to win the national championship that year.

Historical Significance: With a U.S. President in attendance and #1 vs #2 stakes, this game transcended sports and became a cultural moment.

#1: The 1939 Comeback (Oklahoma 24, Texas 12)

The Play That Started It All

October 14, 1939 - Oklahoma 24, Texas 12

The Historic Moment:

Texas led 12-0 at halftime
Oklahoma storms back in 2nd half
Final: Oklahoma 24, Texas 12

Why It’s #1: This wasn’t the highest-scoring or most dramatic game, but it set the tone for 85+ years of rivalry intensity to follow. The comeback nature, the upset, and the shift in power dynamics established the Red River Rivalry as college football’s premier grudge match.

The Launch:

Established the rivalry’s competitive nature
Proved “it’s never over”
Set precedent for decades of upsets
Made it clear: records don’t matter, only this game

Cultural Impact: This game transformed a regional matchup into a national phenomenon. It’s where the legend began.

Honorable Mentions

Games That Almost Made the List

2001: Oklahoma 14, Texas 3

OU’s crushing defensive dominance
Extended win streak to 3

1984: The Infamous Tie (15-15)

Last tie in series history
Controversial non-call

1996: Texas 30, Oklahoma 27 (OT)

First overtime game in series
James Brown’s game-winner

2013: Oklahoma 36, Texas 20

Ended Texas’s brief resurgence
“Is Texas back?” answered: No

2022: Texas 49, Oklahoma 0

Largest margin of victory in modern era
Complete domination

What Makes These Moments Special?

Common Themes

Upsets - The underdog often wins
Star Power - Heisman moments happen here
National Stakes - Championships decided
Drama - Nothing is predictable
Legacy - Players define careers here

The Rivalry’s DNA

Each historic moment shares these elements:

Unpredictability - Rankings don’t matter
Intensity - Every play matters
Stakes - Conference/national implications
Emotion - Pure, unfiltered passion
Memory - Fans remember forever

The Next Chapter

What Historic Moment Will 2025 Bring?

With both teams in the SEC, a new era begins. Will we see:

A championship-deciding game?
A Heisman-making performance?
An upset that shocks the nation?
A moment that rivals these top 10?

Only time will tell.

But based on 125+ years of history, we know this: The Red River Rivalry WILL deliver another unforgettable moment.

Create Your Own Memory

These historic moments were witnessed by fans just like you. Why not be there for the next legendary play?

The 2025 Red River Rivalry could give us:

#11 on this list
A new “Game of the Century”
Your personal unforgettable memory

Don’t just watch history—be part of it.

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Which moment is YOUR favorite? Share your Red River Rivalry memories and join the conversation! #RedRiverRivalry