Oklahoma Sooners Football: 5 Best Moments of 2011

Considering the astronomical preseason expectations from just about every national publication in the country and the talent available to reach those expectations, the 2011 season was a bit of a letdown for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Yes, they are still in the hunt for an eighth conference title and another lucrative BCS bowl, but a couple of painful losses left most wondering what could have been.

This does not mean the year was a total loss, however. If you can somehow erase those lofty expectations from your mind and look back at the 2011 season, there's plenty to be thankful for. 

Let's take a look back at some of the best moments for the 2011 Oklahoma Sooners.

Ryan Broyles Set NCAA Receptions Record

In the second quarter against a surprisingly feisty Kansas team, with the Sooners only up one touchdown, Bob Stoops looked to his most trusted set of hands to get a much-needed score. Landry Jones hit Ryan Broyles in stride on a deep route for a 57-yard touchdown.

This was no ordinary catch, however. With his 317th career reception, Ryan passed Taylor Stubblefield to become the NCAA's all-time leader in career receptions. To add to that, Broyles finished the game with 13 grabs and a school record 217receiving yards and two touchdowns.

This moment marked the culmination of a long, winding road for the Norman native. He began his career at OU in Bob Stoops' doghouse after being suspended for off-the-field issues. Ryan quickly learned his lesson and became the team's most reliable target, piling up catches game after game on his way to the record books.

Ryan finished his career with 349 receptions and will be regarded as one of the all-time great Sooners. He also finished second all time in receiving yardage in the NCAA with 4,586 yards, only 419 away from the top spot.

Kenny Stills Game-Winning Catch vs. FSU

In one of the Sooners' most hyped non conference games in the Stoops era, a Week 3 matchup with then-ranked No. 5 Florida State, the slugfest was tied at 13 apiece midway through the fourth quarter. The two defenses, at the time regarded as two of the best in the country, were living up to their names producing big hits, turnovers and a tight game.

Landry Jones had just completed a 22-yard strike to Ryan Broyles to convert on 3rd-and-12, and on first down, the Sooners were looking to score.

Landry pump-faked Kenny's direction, getting all-world cornerback Greg Reid to hesitate just enough for the speedy Stills to run by him. When the ball was thrown Kenny was a good three steps past Reid, but Landry got a little too much air under the throw, forcing Kenny to slow up.

What could have been an easy catch turned into a jump ball that Stills muscled away from Reid for the go-ahead score.

My favorite part? The celebration...or lack there-of. While walking off the field, camera in-face, Kenny flashed a "one-two" with his fingers in honor of fallen teammate, No. 12 Austin Box.

Walk-on Whaley Debuts with 131 Yards, 4 TD vs. Tulsa

The backfield was the biggest question mark coming into this season for the Sooners, no one knowing who would replace do-it-all DeMarco Murray after four years of consistent, reliable production.

Roy Finch dazzled late last season, reminding many Sooner fans of another diminutive, title-winning ankle-breaker in Quinton Griffin. However, the coaches questioned whether his 5'7" 166-pound frame could handle the bulk of the carries. 

The "committee" approach was assumed by most considering the number of horses in the stable. Finch, Brennan Clay, Jonathon Miller, Jermie Calhoun and Brandon Williams were all highly-touted, 4-star to 5-star recruits with high expectations ready to make their mark.

Coach Stoops got us again, however, with one of the classic "who the heck was that?!" moments in his 12-year tenure. Junior walk-on Dominique Whaley, a transfer from NAIA Langston who came to OU for their accounting program, took the starting job, tucked it safely under his arm and ran away with it.

The Lawton native averaged 7.3 YPC on 18 attempts for 131 yards and a whopping four touchdowns, including this impressive 32-yard score to ice the game in the fourth quarter (check the video).

Dom showed he had tremendous speed and power throughout the game as he broke tackles, fought for extra yards and accelerated past defenders on his way to a legendary performance.

Whaley's dominance in this game and the next few even caused two backs, Calhoun and Miller, to transfer in hopes of finding playing time somewhere else.

And yes, he earned his scholarship.

Trey Millard Flattens Missouri Defensive Back

The Missouri Tigers rushed out to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter and had the home crowd nervous early. The Sooners weathered the storm, however, and worked their way back to a 24-14 lead at the half.

Midway through the third quarter, the Sooners were driving down the field, trying to increase their 10-point lead and give themselves a little breathing room. Leave it to the 250-lb fullback, sophomore Trey Millard, to do the dirty work.

On first down, Trey took the hand-off as the lone back in the Pistol formation, cut left and sped around the edge for a first down. Millard went a full 11 yards without being touched until No. 17 Matt White, a 190-lb Missouri defensive back, tried to make the play.

White learned his lesson as Millard completely flattened the poor guy without really putting forth much effort to do so. It was a true Man vs. Boy moment and, to be honest, my favorite of the year.

Bevo Turns Back on Longhorns in Red River Rout

Yes, the Texas Tech and Baylor losses are heartbreakers and/or head-scratchers, but a season can only get so bad when the Sooners beat the Longhorns in their annual grudge match, especially in this fashion.

The defense swarmed, and the offense overwhelmed on way to a 55-17 hide-tanning of then No. 11 Texas. What made it even better was that it seemed Texas was rebounding from an awful 5-7 2010 campaign, bringing their shiny, new 4-0 record into the game.

The glimmer of hope in their eyes quickly turned into an infection, however, as the OU defense outscored the Longhorns all by themselves with touchdown returns from Jamell Flemming, Demontre Hurst and David King.

My favorite moment? After Dom Whaley put another nail in the coffin with a 64-yard touchdown run, the cameras panned to the Texas mascot Bevo who had literally positioned himself so that he was facing away from the field of play, apparently disgusted with his team.

Listen for Brent Musburger to make the call right after the score.