The 1988 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and competed as members of the Big Eight Conference. The Sooners were led by Barry Switzer in his sixteenth and final season as head coach.
Jamelle Holieway left in first quarter with sprained right ankle following Oklahoma's first score.
Oklahoma set single game NCAA rushing record (768)
Jamelle Holieway set school record for career total yardage.
Oklahoma State's Brent Parker dropped a potential game-winning touchdown pass in the end zone with 43 seconds left.
Oklahoma's 30th straight conference victory
Charles Thompson broke his leg on Oklahoma's final offensive play of the game.
Jamelle Holieway made the start in his final collegiate game.
DT Scott Evans
DB Scott Garl
OG Anthony Phillips
DT Curtice Williams
NG Tony Woods
Following the season, the Sooners were placed on probation by the NCAA due to several incidents that occurred within the program. Switzer, his staff, and Oklahoma boosters were found to have been making illegal payments to several players. In particular, Oklahoma booster Bill Lambert was found to have illegally paid 100 to 150 players while recruiting coordinator Shirley Vaughn paid several dozen players through a ticket scalping scheme. Players from the Sooners' 1985 championship team also openly admitted to accepting illegal payments while playing at Oklahoma as part of the investigation. The Sooners were placed on probation for three years, were banned from bowl games for two years, and could not appear on live television for the 1989 season, along with recruiting restrictions. Oklahoma would also receive the death penalty if any of its programs were to commit any violations in any sport over the next five years.
In addition to recruiting violations and the NCAA investigation, the Sooners garnered more controversy due to off-field incidents involving players. During Switzer's tenure, players had been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and rape. On February 13, 1989, quarterback Charles Thompson was arrested for attempting to solicet cocaine from an undercover FBI agent. On June 19, 1989, Barry Switzer resigned as the Sooners' head coach; at the time Switzer said he resigned willingly but later it was revealed that he was forced to resign.
The following players were selected in the 1989 NFL draft following the season.