What Is 1932 Oklahoma Sooners football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1932 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1932 college football season, finishing with a 3–3–2 record under head coach Lewie Hardage. They played in the Big Six Conference, going 2–2–1, and did not participate in a postseason bowl game.

Key Facts

The 1932 Oklahoma Sooners finished with a 3–3–2 overall record
Head coach Lewie Hardage led the team in his fourth and final season
They played in the Big Six Conference, posting a 2–2–1 conference record
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma
Oklahoma did not play in a bowl game following the 1932 season

Overview

The 1932 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1932 NCAA football season. Competing as a member of the Big Six Conference, the team was led by head coach Lewie Hardage, who was in his fourth and final year at the helm.

The Sooners struggled with consistency, finishing the season with a 3–3–2 overall record and a 2–2–1 mark in conference play. Despite modest results, the season contributed to the evolving identity of Oklahoma football during a transitional era.

Record: The team finished with a 3–3–2 overall record, marking a slight decline from their 4–3–1 performance in 1931.
Head Coach:Lewie Hardage served as head coach for the fourth consecutive season, compiling a 3–3–2 record before stepping down after 1932.
Conference: Oklahoma competed in the Big Six Conference, the predecessor to the Big Eight and later the Big 12, finishing with a 2–2–1 record.
Home Venue: All home games were played at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, which had opened in 1925 and remained the team’s home field.
Postseason: The Sooners did not qualify for a bowl game in 1932, as bowl appearances were rare and highly selective during this era of college football.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1932 season featured a mix of wins, losses, and ties against regional opponents, reflecting the competitive but inconsistent nature of the team. Games were played against both conference rivals and independent teams, common in the pre-bowl, pre-televised era.

September 24: The season opened with a 13–7 win over Southwestern (now Oklahoma City University), showing early promise.
October 1: A scoreless tie against Kansas State highlighted offensive struggles, as neither team could break through in a defensive battle.
October 15: A 7–6 loss to Nebraska was decided by a single point, underscoring the narrow margins in key matchups.
October 29: The Sooners tied TCU 7–7, a game that demonstrated resilience after falling behind early.
November 12: A 20–0 victory over Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) marked a dominant performance in the Bedlam Series rivalry.
November 24: The season concluded with a 14–13 loss to Missouri in a tightly contested Big Six matchup.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1932 season can be better understood by comparing it to surrounding years in terms of record, coaching leadership, and conference context.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
1930	3–3–2	2–2–1	Lewie Hardage	No
1931	4–3–1	3–2–1	Lewie Hardage	No
1932	3–3–2	2–2–1	Lewie Hardage	No
1933	3–7–0	1–4–0	Thomas E. Stidham	No
1934	5–5–0	3–2–0	Thomas E. Stidham	No

This table illustrates that the 1932 season was consistent with the program’s performance in the early 1930s, before the rise of Oklahoma as a national powerhouse under Bud Wilkinson in the 1940s and 1950s. The lack of postseason play was typical for the era, and coaching turnover followed Hardage’s departure.

Why It Matters

While not a standout season in Oklahoma football history, the 1932 campaign reflects the program’s development during a formative period. It captures a time when college football was growing in popularity but still regional in scope, with limited media coverage and no national championship structure.

Historical Context: The 1932 season occurred during the Great Depression, which affected attendance, travel, and funding for college athletic programs.
Coaching Transition: Lewie Hardage’s departure after 1932 led to the hiring of Thomas E. Stidham in 1933, marking a shift in leadership.
Conference Evolution: The Big Six Conference was a key regional league, eventually expanding into the Big Eight and influencing modern college football.
Player Development: The team helped lay the foundation for future success, even without star players or national recognition at the time.
Game Strategy: Football in 1932 emphasized ground offense and physical play, with limited passing and no modern protective equipment.
Legacy: Though overshadowed by later dynasties, the 1932 season is part of Oklahoma’s 100+ years of football tradition, documented in official records.

The 1932 Oklahoma Sooners may not be remembered for championships or records, but they represent an important chapter in the long-term growth of one of college football’s most storied programs.