What Is 1959 Oklahoma Sooners football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1959 Oklahoma Sooners football team finished with a 7–3 record, won the Bluebonnet Bowl, and ranked 15th in the final AP Poll under head coach Bud Wilkinson.

Key Facts

The 1959 Oklahoma Sooners finished the season with a 7–3 overall record
They defeated the LSU Tigers 14–13 in the 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl
Head coach Bud Wilkinson was in his 14th season leading the Sooners
The team ranked 15th in the final AP Poll of the season
Oklahoma played in the Big 8 Conference and finished in third place

Overview

The 1959 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1959 NCAA University Division football season. Led by head coach Bud Wilkinson, the team competed in the Big 8 Conference and played its home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

Despite not matching the dominant performances of previous years, the 1959 season was notable for a strong bowl victory and a top-20 national ranking. The team finished with a winning record and secured a postseason berth, marking another competitive year under Wilkinson’s leadership.

Record and Finish: The Sooners ended the season with a 7–3 overall record, including a 5–2 mark in Big 8 Conference play, placing them third in the conference standings.
Bowl Appearance: Oklahoma earned a spot in the 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl, held on January 1, 1960, in Houston, Texas, where they faced the LSU Tigers.
Bowl Victory: The Sooners defeated LSU 14–13 in a tightly contested game, marking their first bowl win since the 1958 Orange Bowl and boosting their national profile.
AP Poll Ranking: After the bowl win, Oklahoma finished 15th in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll, reflecting solid performance despite mid-season setbacks.
Coaching Leadership: Bud Wilkinson, in his 14th season as head coach, continued to build on his legacy, having previously led the Sooners to three national championships in the 1950s.

Season Performance

The 1959 campaign featured a mix of strong defensive stands and inconsistent offensive output, with key games defining the team’s trajectory. Oklahoma faced ranked opponents and navigated a challenging Big 8 schedule, ultimately proving resilient in crucial matchups.

Early Season: The Sooners opened with a 48–0 shutout of Kansas State, showcasing their defensive strength and setting a positive tone for the season.
Key Loss: A 15–14 defeat to the Colorado Buffaloes in October disrupted Oklahoma’s conference title hopes and marked a turning point in the season.
Offensive Leaders: Quarterback Tommy McDonald threw for 882 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also contributing 375 rushing yards, making him the team’s dual-threat standout.
Defensive Standouts: The defense allowed just 12.4 points per game, anchored by All-American candidate Jimmy Harris and a disciplined secondary unit.
LSU Matchup: In the Bluebonnet Bowl, Oklahoma overcame a 13–0 deficit, scoring two touchdowns in the second half, including the game-winner with under five minutes remaining.
Final Ranking: The 15th-place finish in the AP Poll marked a modest rebound from the previous year, when Oklahoma failed to crack the top 20.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1959 Sooners to recent Oklahoma teams highlights shifts in performance, conference strength, and national relevance.

Season	Record	Conference Finish	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
1959	7–3	3rd, Big 8	W 14–13 vs. LSU (Bluebonnet)	15
1956	10–1	1st, Big 8	W 48–21 vs. Maryland (Orange)	3
1957	6–5	5th, Big 8	W 40–0 vs. Duke (Orange)	14
1958	8–2	2nd, Big 8	W 21–6 vs. Duke (Orange)	7
1960	10–1	1st, Big 8	L 0–6 vs. Alabama (Orange)	5

The 1959 season sits between two stronger campaigns, reflecting a transitional phase. While not a national title contender, the team maintained Oklahoma’s reputation for competitive excellence and bowl success, laying groundwork for the dominant 1960 season.

Why It Matters

The 1959 Oklahoma Sooners represent a pivotal chapter in the program’s mid-century dominance, illustrating resilience and continuity under long-term leadership. Though not a championship season, it reinforced the team’s national stature during a transformative era in college football.

Legacy of Wilkinson: The season contributed to Bud Wilkinson’s legacy, who would retire after 1963 with a then-record 145 wins, cementing his place in college football history.
Bowl Significance: The Bluebonnet Bowl victory was one of only two wins in the Sooners’ final 10 bowl appearances under Wilkinson, highlighting its importance.
Player Development: Tommy McDonald’s performance helped him earn All-American honors and later a Pro Football Hall of Fame career.
Conference Competition: The Big 8 was highly competitive, and finishing third demonstrated Oklahoma’s ability to remain elite despite growing parity.
Recruiting Momentum: Success in 1959 helped maintain Oklahoma’s national recruiting reach, ensuring talent flow into the early 1960s.
Historical Context: The season occurred during the rise of televised college football, increasing the Sooners’ visibility and fan engagement nationwide.

Ultimately, the 1959 Oklahoma Sooners serve as a testament to sustained excellence, bridging the gap between championship eras and reinforcing the program’s place among college football’s elite.