Tough history

Utah State will be playing the Sooners for the fourth time Saturday. All of the games have been played at Owen Field.

The last meeting occurred in 1991 with OU rolling to a 55-21 victory. The Sooners also rolled to a 72-3 victory in 1974 and a 49-0 romp in 1972.

The Aggies, who are members of the WAC, will be going against a Big 12 team for the 50th time. They are 9-39-1 in the previous 49. OU is 7-1 against WAC teams. The only loss was in last season’s Fiesta Bowl against Boise State.

State connections

Utah State coach Brent Guy graduated from Oklahoma State in 1983 and served as graduate assistant and linebackers coach at OSU. But he has downplayed the significance of returning to Oklahoma Saturday.

“That’s not what the game is about,” he said. “The game will be about our guys going in there and playing against a team that’s ranked in the top three in the country.

“Of all 119 teams in the country, here’s number three, so here’s the opportunity to play against what is right now, the very best in the country. That’s the challenge that guys like. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. You may not ever get to play a team ranked this high again, so what are you going to do with it.”

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com