HookEm
08-26-2005, 03:36 AM
Texas-OU gets familiar voice
Jackson relishes rivalry, says game should not move
By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Whooooaaaaa, Nellie: Keith Jacksonis coming to Dallas in October to call the 100th Texas-Oklahoma game for ABC Sports.
And he's downright irate at the suggestion that the annual showdown between the Long-
horns and Sooners, which he describes as one of the "bell-
wether" games of college foot-
ball, could be played anywhere but the State Fair of Texas.
Jackson, 76, has broadcast college games on ABC since 1967 but has primarily called Pac-10 Conference games the last five seasons. He'll make a rare trip to this side of the Rockies — "the Big Mountains," in his words — because of the historic nature of this year's game.
"That's the one I wanted to do," he said. "I have an affinity for that game. It played a large role in my life in the 1970s and early '80s. I would do that game at 11 a.m., then get in a Lear jet and go call a baseball game that night. I remember lots of excitement."
Texas-Oklahoma has been played in Dallas since 1929, but athletic directors at both schools say they want improvements made to the Cotton Bowl stadium before they agree to extend their contract to play in Dallas.
The schools can opt out of their agreement after the 2007 game. Jackson harrumphs at such heresy.
"Why not leave it where it is?" he said. "Why mess with it? Everything that was done in the past isn't bad. What in the hell is wrong with Texas-Oklahoma at the State Fair? It's a glorious thing. It's a wonderful thing. I wouldn't mess with it."
As for this year's game, Jackson thinks the Sooners could be better than last year's team that played Southern Cal for the BCS national championship.
He likes Texas' defense, particularly linebacker Aaron Harris, but added, "I want to see if (Texas quarterback) Vince Youngcan throw the football. OU shut him down last year, and I'd like to see them try to do it again this year, because he looked invincible against Michigan (in the Rose Bowl)."
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Jackson relishes rivalry, says game should not move
By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Whooooaaaaa, Nellie: Keith Jacksonis coming to Dallas in October to call the 100th Texas-Oklahoma game for ABC Sports.
And he's downright irate at the suggestion that the annual showdown between the Long-
horns and Sooners, which he describes as one of the "bell-
wether" games of college foot-
ball, could be played anywhere but the State Fair of Texas.
Jackson, 76, has broadcast college games on ABC since 1967 but has primarily called Pac-10 Conference games the last five seasons. He'll make a rare trip to this side of the Rockies — "the Big Mountains," in his words — because of the historic nature of this year's game.
"That's the one I wanted to do," he said. "I have an affinity for that game. It played a large role in my life in the 1970s and early '80s. I would do that game at 11 a.m., then get in a Lear jet and go call a baseball game that night. I remember lots of excitement."
Texas-Oklahoma has been played in Dallas since 1929, but athletic directors at both schools say they want improvements made to the Cotton Bowl stadium before they agree to extend their contract to play in Dallas.
The schools can opt out of their agreement after the 2007 game. Jackson harrumphs at such heresy.
"Why not leave it where it is?" he said. "Why mess with it? Everything that was done in the past isn't bad. What in the hell is wrong with Texas-Oklahoma at the State Fair? It's a glorious thing. It's a wonderful thing. I wouldn't mess with it."
As for this year's game, Jackson thinks the Sooners could be better than last year's team that played Southern Cal for the BCS national championship.
He likes Texas' defense, particularly linebacker Aaron Harris, but added, "I want to see if (Texas quarterback) Vince Youngcan throw the football. OU shut him down last year, and I'd like to see them try to do it again this year, because he looked invincible against Michigan (in the Rose Bowl)."
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