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Sam Bradford: Career in review

In the 2008 season, Sam Bradford became the fifth OU player to win the Heisman Trophy. Kelly Kline / Associated Press

 
By JAMES ROYAL World Assistant Sports Editor
Published: 10/27/2009  2:25 AM
Last Modified: 10/27/2009  10:28 AM

THE HIGHS

In his first game against North Texas in 2007, Sam Bradford was impressive, but it was a week later he really started building his legacy. Against Miami (Fla.), Bradford threw for five touchdown passes, the first of six times he would tie the then-school record for touchdown passes in a single game.

Cotton Bowl debut

Oklahoma suffered a heartbreaking loss to Colorado the week before the 2007 OU-Texas game, but things were different at the State Fair of Texas. Bradford, in just his sixth career start, passed for 244 yards and three touchdowns, an average day by what would become his standards. But in the fourth quarter with the game tied, Bradford directed a game-winning, 12-play, 94-yard drive that ended with a 36-yard touchdown to Malcolm Kelly. "This is the greatest feeling right now, to look around and see all those OU fans," Bradford said on the field after the game. "I've been dreaming about this for a long time."

Record day

After a record-setting freshman year, Bradford kept up the pace in 2008. Then, on Oct. 18 against Kansas, Bradford shattered the OU single-game record for passing yards. He threw for 468 yards against the Jayhawks, beating the mark of 429 set by his quarterback coach, Josh Heupel, against Louisville in 1999. Bradford completed 36 of a career-high 53 passes, and after the record-setting day, he wanted more. "Our mind-set is we want to score every time we touch the football, regardless of how many points the other team scores," he said.

The Bedlam flip

OU's hopes of a Big 12 South title and a spot in the BCS title game were on the line in Stillwater, and the Sooners were clinging to a 30-26 lead over the Cowboys. On third-and-goal from the OSU 9-yard line, Bradford scrambled to the right out of the shotgun. He went airborne over OSU safety Ricky Price, and Cowboy linebacker Orie Lemon nailed him in midair. Bradford flipped over, losing the ball as he went out of bounds short of the end zone. OU scored on the next play and won 61-41. The highlight became Bradford's signature play as he went on to win the Heisman.

The Heisman

Bradford, whose dad was an OU lineman in the late 1970s, grew up loving Sooner football. After the 2008 season, he earned a permanent spot as part of Sooner lore when he was named OU's fifth Heisman Trophy winner.

Bradford beat out Texas rival Colt McCoy and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who he would face a few weeks later in the national title game. It was the second-closest three-man race in the history of the storied award.

Bradford was taken aback by winning the award. "I don't think I can put it in words what it was like tonight," he said. "It was kind of a surreal experience."

THE LOWS

Rocky road

In his first true road test, Bradford struggled at Colorado in 2007, completing just 8-of-19 of his passes while throwing two interceptions in the Sooners' 27-24 loss to the Buffaloes.

Knocked out

Later in 2007, OU had clawed back into national title contention, but Bradford was knocked out early against Texas Tech and watched the Sooners' title hopes end in a 34-27 loss.

BCS game loss

In his only shot at winning a national title, Bradford came up short, throwing two interceptions and two touchdowns in a loss to Florida in the 2008 title game in Miami, Fla.

Injuries lead to the end

After being projected as a possible No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft, Bradford opted to return to school for his junior season. In the opening game against BYU, he separated his right shoulder when he was tackled just before halftime, and the Sooners went on to lose 14-13. He returned three weeks later and led a win over Baylor. Then, against archrival Texas, Bradford was driven to the ground on his right shoulder early in the first quarter, re-injuring the joint. Eight days later, he issued a press release announcing that he would have surgery and try to enter the 2010 NFL draft. "I dreamed about coming to Oklahoma my whole life," Bradford said. "That's the reason I came back for this season."Razing 'Canes

BY THE NUMBERS

Previous OU records in parentheses

4,720
passing yards in 2008, an Oklahoma single-season record (3,850 by Josh Heupel in 1999)

8,403
career passing yards, breaking the record held by Jason White (7,922)

36
touchdown passes in 2007, an NCAA freshman record

50
touchdown passes in 2008, an OU single-season record (40 by White in 2003)

88
career touchdown passes, breaking the OU record of 81 by White

.695
completion percentage in 2007, an OU single-season record (.654 by White in 2004)

.676
career completion percentage, an OU record (.638 by Heupel)

176.5
passer rating in 2007, first nationally and an NCAA freshman season record

180.8
passer rating in 2008, and an OU single-season record, min. 100 attempts (Bradford 176.5 in 2007)

175.6
Career passer rating, an Oklahoma record (Eddie Crowder 165.9)

4,767
total yards of offense in 2008, an OU single-season record (3,773 by Heupel in 2000)

8,439
career yards of total offense, breaking Jason White’s record (7,877)

14
career 300-yard passing games, tying the OU record held by Josh Heupel

468 passing yards against Kansas in 2008, breaking the OU single-game record (429 by Heupel against Louisville in 1999)

482
total yards offense against Kansas in 2008, breaking the OU single-game record (410 by Heupel against Louisville in 1999)
By JAMES ROYAL World Assistant Sports Editor

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4 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you.  -- Web Editor Jason Collington
 

 
Report Comment
pat, Kiefer (10/27/2009 8:36:22 AM)
BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!
Report Comment
JR, (10/27/2009 9:02:51 AM)
The Bar has been raised to a very high level for QB`s at OU..... Thanks Sam.....
Report Comment
forkandknife, Tulsa (10/27/2009 4:30:24 PM)
Wow.
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1aggie, (10/28/2009 11:17:13 AM)
I detest the fact that so many Texas players migrate to OU and Okie State. They make Oklahoma football D-I .Nonetheless,this Oklahoma hometown kid is one my heroes and a favorite. What a class act and competitor he has been and a great rep for Oklahoma and the entire Big 12.
 

 
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