What Is 2009 Oklahoma Sooners football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 record under head coach Bob Stoops and losing to Connecticut in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl.

Key Facts

The 2009 Oklahoma Sooners finished the season with a 7–6 overall record
Head coach Bob Stoops led the team during his 11th season at Oklahoma
The Sooners played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Oklahoma lost to Connecticut 48–20 in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 2010
Quarterback Landry Jones started 10 games as a true freshman in 2009

Overview

The 2009 Oklahoma Sooners football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as members of the Big 12 Conference. Led by head coach Bob Stoops in his 11th season, the team faced challenges after the departure of star quarterback Sam Bradford, who opted to enter the NFL Draft following a shoulder injury late in the 2008 season.

Despite high preseason expectations, the Sooners struggled with consistency, finishing the regular season at 7–5 and earning a berth in the Fiesta Bowl. Their performance marked a decline from previous years, as Oklahoma failed to win the Big 12 Championship and posted its first losing record in conference play since 1999.

Season record: The team finished with a 7–6 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in Big 12 Conference play.
Head coach: Bob Stoops remained at the helm, continuing his tenure that began in 1999 with a national championship in 2000.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, with a capacity of over 82,000.
Key quarterback: True freshman Landry Jones started 10 games, throwing for 3,196 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Bowl game: Oklahoma lost 48–20 to Connecticut in the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 2010, in Glendale, Arizona.

Season Performance

The 2009 campaign was marked by offensive potential and defensive vulnerabilities, as the team adapted to new personnel and growing pains at the quarterback position. After Sam Bradford’s exit, the Sooners relied on young talent, most notably Landry Jones, who became the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener under Stoops.

Early success: Oklahoma opened the season 3–0, defeating BYU, Washington, and Miami (OH) by an average of 25 points.
Big 12 struggles: The team lost four conference games, including defeats to Texas, Texas Tech, and Nebraska.
Defensive issues: The Sooners allowed an average of 29.5 points per game, their highest since 2001.
Running game: Running back Chris Brown rushed for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in rushing.
Receiving corps: Juaquin Iglesias and Ryan Broyles combined for over 1,200 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Special teams: Punter Tress Way averaged 43.1 yards per punt, providing solid field position throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2009 season compared to recent Oklahoma campaigns in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game	Bowl Result
2007	11–3	7–1	43.1	Won Fiesta Bowl
2008	12–2	8–0	47.3	Lost BCS National Championship
2009	7–6	4–4	34.8	Lost Fiesta Bowl
2010	12–2	7–1	38.6	Won Fiesta Bowl
2011	10–4	6–3	41.2	Lost Cotton Bowl

The 2009 season represented a transitional year for Oklahoma, with a noticeable dip in performance compared to the dominant 2008 team that played for the national title. While the offense still produced solid numbers, defensive lapses and inconsistent quarterback play contributed to a losing streak late in the season. The team rebounded strongly in 2010, showing that the 2009 struggles were part of a rebuilding phase rather than a long-term trend.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season is significant as a turning point in Oklahoma’s football narrative, highlighting the challenges of quarterback succession and the volatility of college football programs after losing star players. It underscored the importance of depth and development in maintaining national competitiveness.

Quarterback development: Landry Jones’ emergence as a true freshman starter laid the foundation for future seasons.
Recruiting impact: The team’s performance influenced future recruiting classes, with increased focus on defensive talent.
Coaching resilience: Bob Stoops demonstrated adaptability by rebuilding the team quickly for a strong 2010 campaign.
Bowl implications: The loss to UConn remains one of the most surprising outcomes in Fiesta Bowl history.
Program legacy: The season serves as a cautionary tale about over-reliance on individual stars like Sam Bradford.
Statistical benchmark: The 29.5 points allowed per game marked Oklahoma’s worst defensive performance in nearly a decade.

While not a banner year, the 2009 Oklahoma Sooners season provided valuable lessons in resilience and roster management, shaping the program’s approach in subsequent years.