Speaking of gun-slingers, Troy Aikman is one our greatest ever (probably second to McNowne in my book). Found this interesting article in Lawrence-Journal World (Kansas paper) on Aikman tracing his path from Norman to Westwood:
Broadcaster Troy Aikman has traveled light years from that demeaning 1984 afternoon in Lawrence when he wound up in the Oklahoma football dressing room battered "like a whipped pup," as coach Barry Switzer described him.
[...]
It was Oct. 27, 1984, and Oklahoma came to Memorial Stadium. Starting quarterback Danny Bradley was injured so Switzer had to go with Aikman, a freshman from Henryetta, Okla.
Coach Mike Gottfried's Jayhawks took full advantage of the opportunity and posted a stunning 28-11 victory (witnessed by only 29,500, by the way).
To Aikman's credit, he didn't dodge any questions about his inability to make the favored Sooners perk. Though weary, his poise shone through; he calmly and patiently answered question after question. Switzer said he could not have been prouder of his kid even if he was manhandled by KU "like a whipped pup."
The 1985 season was worse.
In 1984, Aikman had been invited to a summer camp at OU. Switzer liked him and offered him a scholarship forthwith. Came that rude awakening in late October at Kansas. Aikman broke his ankle in the fourth game of his sophomore ('85) season. Jamelle Holieway jumped in at quarterback and led OU to the national championship.
With Holieway established, Aikman, who was a far better passer than a wishbone runner-passer, chose to shift to UCLA. Ex-Kansas assistant Terry Donahue had a Bruin passing attack much more to Troy's liking.
Aikman sat out 1986, then took over as the QB for 1987. He finished his UCLA career with a 20-4 record and a victory over Arkansas in the 1989 Cotton Bowl.
The youngest of three children, Aikman lived in Cerritos, Calif., until age 12, when his family moved to Henryetta. He was all-state in football and baseball. As a UCLA senior, he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State won.
We were lucky to get Troy. Let's hope history repeats itself with our latest blockbuster QB transfer - Ben Olson. Although we want BO to beat USC, something Troy (funny name for a Bruin QB) failed to deliver in Westwood. In any event - we have nothing but love for Aikman. It sure would be nice to see him more involved with our program. He would be an invaluable resource for Bruin football.
[...]
It was Oct. 27, 1984, and Oklahoma came to Memorial Stadium. Starting quarterback Danny Bradley was injured so Switzer had to go with Aikman, a freshman from Henryetta, Okla.
Coach Mike Gottfried's Jayhawks took full advantage of the opportunity and posted a stunning 28-11 victory (witnessed by only 29,500, by the way).
To Aikman's credit, he didn't dodge any questions about his inability to make the favored Sooners perk. Though weary, his poise shone through; he calmly and patiently answered question after question. Switzer said he could not have been prouder of his kid even if he was manhandled by KU "like a whipped pup."
The 1985 season was worse.
In 1984, Aikman had been invited to a summer camp at OU. Switzer liked him and offered him a scholarship forthwith. Came that rude awakening in late October at Kansas. Aikman broke his ankle in the fourth game of his sophomore ('85) season. Jamelle Holieway jumped in at quarterback and led OU to the national championship.
With Holieway established, Aikman, who was a far better passer than a wishbone runner-passer, chose to shift to UCLA. Ex-Kansas assistant Terry Donahue had a Bruin passing attack much more to Troy's liking.
Aikman sat out 1986, then took over as the QB for 1987. He finished his UCLA career with a 20-4 record and a victory over Arkansas in the 1989 Cotton Bowl.
The youngest of three children, Aikman lived in Cerritos, Calif., until age 12, when his family moved to Henryetta. He was all-state in football and baseball. As a UCLA senior, he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State won.