Tech's third away game this upcoming football season (not counting the neutral site game vs Baylor) takes place in Norman, Oklahoma at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. A storied football program, the Sooners are top 10 in 11 of 12 major historical categories in football, including the most weeks as the AP Number 1 team. Tech has only won twice in Norman, although they only played for the first time in 1992.
Oklahoma first played an organized game of football at an unnamed field in 1895 versus the Oklahoma City Town Team. They moved to another field before settling at Boyd Field, named for OU's first president, Dr. David Ross Boyd. The field was surrounded by thick hedges to prevent prying eyes and around 500 spectators could watch each game. A student-led effort led to the construction of a student union and stadium. The first game at the current location was played in October of 1923, a 62-7 stomping of Washington University in St. Louis. In 1925, there was seating for 16,000 during a 7-0 victory over Drake. At this point it was named Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, to remember those lost in the First World War, and cost just under $300,000. The playing surface was named Owen Field in honor of Coach Benjamin "Bennie" Owen, who is one of just four OU coaches to win 100 games. In 1928, the east stands were added, taking the seating capacity to 32,000. After multiple expansions, including the field being lowered 6 feet in 1948, the capacity topped out at 82,112 in 2004. In 1970, the grass that been in place since 1948 was removed and artificial turf was installed. This turf was replaced in 1981, and natural grass was installed in 1994.
Statistics, Tidbits, and Fun Facts
- OU is 364-51-15 in 460 games at home
- Oklahoma's longest home win streak was 39 games, stretching from 2005-2011
- 92 consecutive games have sold out, dating back to 1999
- Opened in 1923
- Official capacity of 82,112
- Largest crowd was 86,031 in a 2012 game against Notre Dame
- Games against Tech in 2008 and 2006 are in the top 10 largest crowds
- In 2012, Landry Jones went 46-71 for 500 yards, setting records for attempts, completions, and yards thrown
- In 2003, Antonio Perkins set NCAA records with 277 yds in punt returns, to go with 3 punt return touchdowns
- In 1996, Tulsa QB Troy DeGar threw a 99 yd TD pass
