It’s Bedlam Week, Folks: Here are the Six Best Moments in Series History

There have been a ton of memorable moments in Bedlam series history between in-state rivals OU and OSU. Most ingrained into my brain have been … not great. I remember freezing my tail off at 2013. I remember the great 16-13 in 2001. But I remember a lot of (mostly) forgettable moments in between.

As always, Bedlam is a rivalry. And to quote the Solid Verbal: You gotta throw out the records when it comes to rivalry games. I’m not sure you can do that in this series given the lopsided nature of it not only recently but historically, but one thing we do know: It’s always (usually) tightly contested.

So as we look ahead to Saturday, I’m taking a stroll back through memory lane with the five best plays in series history. Join me.

6. Gilbert kick return in 2010

No. 33 diving and whiffing by at least five yards is easily my favorite development of this Justin Gilbert kickoff return that, put best by Kyle Porter, “Took me to my knees.” The speed, the elusiveness, Gilbert was a full-blown collegiate freak show.

5. Perrish Cox goes 90 for the score

OSU fell well short in the 2008 round of Bedlam, but it was entertaining as all get out! The two teams combined for more than 100 points, and Perrish Cox made it interesting with a 90-yard kick return in the fourth quarter to cut OU’s lead to 44-41. It would not get closer, however.

4. 16-13

Bedlam 2001 is remembered widely and well by all OSU fans, but it is most distinctly remembered as the 16-13 game. Led by Josh Fields, the Pokes marched down the field trailing 13-9 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and took a go-ahead score with a Fields-to-Rashaun Woods connection. It did not look back.

3. 2010 volleyball interception

This game, like many others before it and behind it, ended in a tough-to-swallow tight loss for OSU. But this play, when Broderick Brown flips it back to Shaun Lewis for an interception, will forever go down in the Bedlam highlight reel. I miss Broderick Brown a lot. I might miss Landry Jones and his questionable decision-making more.

2. Bedlam for the Big 12 title

Weeden. Blackmon. Weeden to Blackmon. Weeden to everyone. Joseph Randle. Justin Gilbert. This game had everything. But most notably: It was a W that gave OSU its first-ever Big 12 championship. If you want to argue this should be No. 1, I will not provide resistance. A program-changer and era-definer.

1. Tyreek Hill Punt Return of 2014

*checks notes, nods in disappointment* Yep, this is the last time OSU beat OU. But it was a pretty great memory, right? Tyreek tied things up late in the fourth with a 92-yard return — a game which OSU would win in overtime to achieve bowl eligibility in the most unlikely of fashion.

Honorable mentions

• Rashaun is still open: In 2002, OSU took down OSU 38-28 and Rashaun Woods had himself a game, logging 12 catches for 226 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Rumor has it Woods is still seen running wide open in the corner of the end zones in Stillwater.
• Streak-ender in 1995: After 17 consecutive losses to OU (and one tie in between), OSU ended its abysmal streak against the Sooners with a 12-0 win on Nov. 11, 1995, in front of a 75,000 person crowd in Norman.
• Dez vs. Sammy B, circa 2008: OU won 61-41 in Stillwater, but the stars were out and shining bright on this showdown in 2008. Sam Bradford went for 370 and four scores, Dez Bryant went for 91 and two scores. This game produced the now-infamous Sam Bradford Bedlam flip.
• All-time Justice showing: Even in a loss, it’s hard to argue that Justice Hill’s 2017 Bedlam showing was anything but excellent. He had 30 carries, 228 yards, two scores, and ran like he was shot out of a super-charged Stillwater cannon, bullying his way over and through defenders.On loop all week. Here’s to more Justice being served Saturday.