What Is 1968 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football

Overview

The 1968 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team represented the University of Tulsa during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), the team was led by head coach Glenn Dobbs in his 10th year at the helm. The season marked a modest rebound from previous years, showcasing improvements on offense while maintaining a competitive presence in conference play.

Playing their home games at Skelly Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Golden Hurricane finished the season with a 7–4 overall record and a 4–1 mark in MVC games. Despite not qualifying for a bowl game, the team demonstrated resilience and scoring consistency throughout the season. The 1968 campaign was notable for its offensive output and development of key players who would influence future seasons.

• Record: The team finished with a 7–4 overall record, marking a positive step forward from prior seasons under Glenn Dobbs.
• Conference: Tulsa competed in the Missouri Valley Conference, where they posted a strong 4–1 record against conference opponents.
• Home Field: All home games were played at Skelly Stadium, a historic venue with a capacity of approximately 30,000 at the time.
• Scoring: The Golden Hurricane scored 248 total points during the season, averaging 22.5 points per game, a solid offensive performance for the era.
• Head Coach: Glenn Dobbs, a former NFL quarterback, was in his 10th season as head coach and emphasized an innovative passing attack.

How It Works

The 1968 season operated within the structure of NCAA University Division football, the predecessor to today’s Division I. Teams played an 11-game schedule, with conference standings determining rankings and postseason eligibility. Tulsa’s approach combined Dobbs’ signature aerial offense with disciplined defense and special teams play.

• Season Format: Teams played an 11-game regular season; Tulsa faced a mix of MVC opponents and non-conference foes, including regional rivals.
• Offensive Scheme: Glenn Dobbs implemented a pass-heavy offense, unusual for the time, which emphasized quarterback play and wide receiver development.
• Defensive Strategy: The defense relied on a 4–3 alignment, focusing on stopping the run while allowing flexibility against passing attacks.
• Player Development: Tulsa prioritized recruiting local talent and developing quarterbacks, a hallmark of Dobbs’ tenure from 1955 to 1968.
• Game Scheduling: The 1968 schedule included matchups against teams like Houston, SMU, and Wichita State, all MVC members at the time.
• Scoring System: With no overtime in 1968, games could end in ties; however, Tulsa did not have any tied games that season.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1968 season can be better understood by comparing it to adjacent years in Tulsa football history. The table below highlights key performance metrics across three seasons.

The data shows a peak in performance during the 1968 season, both in win-loss record and offensive production. This season represented the most successful campaign under Dobbs since the mid-1960s, highlighting the program’s potential before his departure after 1973. The consistent MVC competitiveness underscores Tulsa’s role as a mid-tier program with moments of excellence.

Why It Matters

The 1968 Tulsa Golden Hurricane season holds historical significance for the program’s development and coaching legacy. It exemplifies the impact of long-term coaching stability and offensive innovation in college football during the 1960s. Though overshadowed by more dominant programs, Tulsa’s performance that year contributed to the broader narrative of mid-major competitiveness.

• Coaching Legacy: Glenn Dobbs’ tenure, including the 1968 season, helped establish Tulsa as a program that valued offensive creativity.
• Historical Context: The 1968 team played during a transitional era in college football, just before major NCAA structural changes in 1973.
• Player Development: Several players from this era went on to play professionally or coach, extending the program’s influence.
• Conference Impact: Tulsa’s 4–1 MVC record demonstrated competitiveness in a conference that included stronger programs like Houston.
• Statistical Benchmark: The 248 points scored in 1968 remained one of the higher totals of the Dobbs era.
• Institutional Memory: The season is remembered by alumni and historians as a high point before Dobbs’ eventual retirement.

While not a national powerhouse, the 1968 Golden Hurricane season remains a point of pride for the University of Tulsa and a testament to sustained program building in college football.