Former Oklahoma coach pokes fun at Texas college programs
Former Oklahoma coach pokes fun at Texas college programs
Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops has gotten off to a hot start in early stages of the 2025 season in the United Football League. After defeating the San Antonio Brahmas in their first game, Stoops' Arlington Renegades took down the Houston Roughnecks over the weekend to improve to 2-0.
After the game, which moved Stoops to 2-0 against the other UFL teams in Texas, the legendary head coach was asked about his level of pride in becoming the "UFL Texas State Champion" and getting his second win of the season.
"Oh, you can't get an Oklahoma former head coach to say it," Stoops said with a laugh. "I had my share of wins against Texas teams ... anyway, it's just good to be 2-0, and I didn't even process that it was two of the Texas teams, but so be it, you know. I'm just gonna try and win another one next week."
Stoops' lighthearted jab at some old Big 12 Conference rivals is accurate, as the former OU coach had plenty of success in his heyday against teams like Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and TCU, among others. He had a winning record against each of the programs from the Lone Star State, save for a 1-1 mark against Houston.
"Big Game Bob" posted an 11-7 record against the rival Longhorns and dominated the Big 12, winning 10 conference titles in 18 seasons. In the entirety of the league's existence (1996-present), teams from Texas have only claimed nine league titles.
Stoops' hot start in the UFL in 2025 could have him in line to chase down another spring football championship, which he also accomplished in 2023 in the XFL, also with the Renegades.
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St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht is 15-6 (including the postseason) in two years in the UFL and finished with a 7-3 record during his one season in the legacy XFL. Defenders interim head coach Shannon Harris is 6-4 in his one season at the helm. The Defenders hold a 4-3 all-time record against the Battlehawks. Key matchup: Battlehawks defense vs. Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu A strength for St. Louis this season has been the team's potent pass rush, led by UFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Pita Taumoepenu (7.5 sacks). The Battlehawks have held teams to a league-low 16.3 points per game and finished tied for a league-high nine interceptions on the year. However, St. Louis faces the best playmaking quarterback in the UFL this season with league MVP frontrunner Ta'amu. The Ole Miss product finished first in the league in passing touchdowns (17) and second in the UFL in passing yards (2,153). Keeping Ta'amu from creating explosive plays will be a top priority for St. Louis' defense. Key stats: Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors finished second in the UFL in rushing yards with 499, leading a St. Louis offense that topped the league in rushing, averaging 144 rushing yards a contest. St. Louis receiver Jahcour Pearson led the league in punt return yards with 294. St. Louis QB Max Duggan leads all signal-callers with 300 rushing yards and totaled five rushing touchdowns during the regular season. Defenders receiver Chris Rowland led the UFL in all-purpose yards (1,100) during the regular season. Rowland's teammate Cornell Powell topped the league in receiving touchdowns with seven. Derick Roberson and Andre Mintze finished with a team-high 5.5 sacks each, while All-UFL linebacker Anthony Hines III led the Defenders with 53 combined tackles. UFL Conference title game: Stallions vs. Panthers The Stallions are seeking their fourth consecutive spring football championship, having won back-to-back USFL titles and the first UFL championship last season. "With the 2025 team, I'm only trying to win one championship with this team," Birmingham head coach Skip Holtz said. The Stallions are 39-7 under Holtz. On the other side, Michigan head coach Mike Nolan has led the Panthers to the playoffs for a second straight year, posting a 17-15 record overall in two seasons. This is the eighth meeting between the two teams, and Birmingham owns a 7-0 all-time record. The Panthers enter this weekend's contest on a two-game losing streak. However, All-UFL QB Bryce Perkins had missed the last three games with an ankle injury but is expected to play Sunday. The Stallions swept the season series this year and defeated the Panthers in the USFL Championship Game last season, 31-18. Key matchup: Stallions defensive line vs. Panthers rushing offense Michigan's best chance at stunning the Stallions is controlling the line of scrimmage by establishing the running game, playing keep away from a Birmingham offense that has averaged 33 points a contest over the past four games. The Panthers are second in the UFL in rushing, averaging 128 rushing yards a contest. Michigan has the best short yardage running back in the league in Toa Taua, who led the league with six rushing touchdowns. And the return of Perkins gives the Panthers a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his feet and his arm in space. Key stats: Panthers receiver Siaosi Mariner led the UFL in receiving yards with 528. All-UFL cornerback Kedrick Whitehead Jr. led Michigan with 66 combined tackles. The Panthers committed 12 turnovers with seven lost fumbles and five interceptions during the regular season. The Stallions have forced 16 turnovers this season, tied for third in the UFL. Birmingham sack leader Bradlee Anae (4.0 sacks) is expected to return to the lineup after missing two games due to a hamstring injury. Linebacker Kyahva Tezino led the Stallions with 57 tackles, including five tackles for loss. Tezino also finished with one sack, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. QB J'Mar Smith helped lead the Stallions to a USFL title in 2022 and has been the savior of Birmingham's offense since his midseason return, going 52-for-80 for 758 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in four games played. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! 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