Oklahoma Sooners Numbers Game: 41-50
Last week, we looked at the greatest Sooners to wear the numbers 31-40. Now, we continue with the Oklahoma Sooners numbers game series as we look a numbers 41-50. The beauty of the series is the debate that it may incite through fans alike. With this in mind, any and all comments or input are welcomed. Let us begin the debate in our latest edition of the Oklahoma Sooners numbers game.
#41 Max Boydston
The younger crowd may not fully appreciate Boydston’s contribution with his play in the 1950s. However, Boydston was a standout end for Oklahoma and was an All-American in 1954. He was also part of the Muskogee, Oklahoma gang that was pivotal in the 47-game winning streak under Bud Wilkinson. He had 850 yards from scrimmage with eight total touchdowns in his career.
#42 Rufus Alexander
In the 2005-2006 seasons, you would be hard-pressed not to hear the Rufus chant declared by the Sooner nation. Alexander was one of the most popular players during those seasons. His best season in a Sooner uniform was 2006 when he was recognized as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American selection.
#43 Rod Shoate
Shoate was one of the best linebackers in school history. In fact, he was ver transcendent for his time. He was one of the first undersized linebackers in that position in the 1970s. Larry Lacewell called Shoate the best linebacker that he had the opportunity to coach. He was a three-time all-Big Eight selection and was 32-1-1 in his collegiate career.
#44 Brian Bosworth
Even with the great number of linebackers that Oklahoma has produced, Bosworth is certainly the best in a Sooner uniform. The accolades are many for Bosworth which include a three-time Big Eight selection, two-time consensus All-American and Butkus Award winner as well as a Heisman finalist and National Champion in 1985. However, his greatest game might have been in a losing effort when he made 22 tackles against Miami in 1986.
#45 Joe Bowden
Bowden was part of a transitional period of Oklahoma football in the early 1990s where the program was trying to live up to the play of the 1970s and 1980s. Even so, Bowden was one of the best defensive players in that era for the Sooners. As a senior in 1991, he gained All-American honors by making 127 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions.
#46 Daryl Goodlow
Goodlow may have been overshadowed by some great defensive ends in school history. However, he was certainly a very good player by his own right. Goodlow was part of the 1979 and 1980 Oklahoma teams. In fact, he also scored an interception from his defensive end position in 1980.
#47 Renaldo Works
Works may have been an even bigger contributor if he played at a different time. Unfortunately for Works, most of his career was overshadowed by Quentin Griffin. But, he is widely responsible for helping to save Oklahoma’s season with two screen pass receptions against Alabama in 2002 that helped them to a win. Works had his best season in 2003 with over 800 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns.
#48 Greg DeQuasie
DeQuasie was much like the aforementioned Bowden that he was a solid contributor in the early 1990s. In 1990, DeQuasie collected four interceptions from his defensive back position. In fact, he returned two of those for interceptions on the season. For his career, he had seven interceptions for the Crimson and Cream.
#49 Waddy Young
We’re going way back in the time machine here with Young. He was a consensus All-American for the Sooners in 1939. Also, Young helped lead Oklahoma to their first Big Six conference championship and the program’s first bowl berth in the 1939 Orange Bowl. Additionally, he was a heavyweight wrestler for the Sooners as well.
#50 Dante Jones
Barry Switzer often said that Bosworth received much of the hype, but Jones was every bit as good of a linebacker as he was. With 312 career tackles, Jones is in the top 20 in career tackles for the Sooners. Jones also had six interceptions to his credit and was a consensus All-American in 1987.
