At the turn of the 1970s, a new, radical offense was introduced by University of Oklahoma football coach Chuck Fairbanks.
In it a fullback lined up directly behind the quarterback, while two halfbacks lined up behind and to the side of him, forming a Y, or a wishbone.
After getting off to a 2-1 start in 1970, Fairbanks installed the wishbone during the two-week break between a 23-14 loss to Oregon State and the annual Red River clash with the Texas Longhorns.
The offense gave the quarterback three options, hand the ball to the fullback or one of the halfbacks, pitch the ball to one of the halfbacks or keep it himself and run.
The attack required a rare combination of physical skill and quick decision-making. The Sooners’ quarterback at the time was perfect for the job.
Jack Mildren led the Sooners to one of the most dominant offensive seasons in college football history during his senior year. OU went 11-1 and averaged more than 472 rushing yards per game. Mildren himself rushed for 1,140 yards.
In that magical 1971 season, Mildren was brilliant, guiding the Sooners to 30 points or more in 11 of their 12 games. On the rare occasion when he was called upon to pass the ball, Mildren was good at that, too, throwing 25 touchdown passes in his career.
But the man from Abilene, Texas, wasn’t finished. He went on to a brief football career before turning to the oil business, banking and politics.
Jack Mildren lost his two-year battle with stomach cancer last week, leaving behind a grieving family, friends and a legion of fans who remember his on-field exploits.
He was taken from us too soon, but he never will be forgotten.
