Bud Wilkinson Emphasized

BUD WILKINSON EMPHASIZED preparation during his 17-year tenure as head football coach at the University of Oklahoma. And his hard work resulted in huge success for the Sooners, including a 47-game winning streak—the longest in NCAA Division I history. But in 1957, Notre Dame caught the Sooners slightly unprepared.

Hoping to snap Oklahoma’s historic unbeaten streak, the Notre Dame squad visited Owen Field with two losses. After being shut out 40–0 by the Sooners the previous season, the Fighting Irish entered the contest as 19-point underdogs with revenge on their mind.

Despite its high-octane offense, Oklahoma failed to move the ball consistently. But the stout Sooner defense stopped Notre Dame three times inside the 10-yard line. With the game tied 0–0, the Fighting Irish took possession on their own 20 with less than 13 minutes remaining. Working the ball up the middle, Notre Dame drove to the Sooners 3-yard line in 19 plays.

Facing fourth-and-goal with four minutes to play, Oklahoma bunched its defense, expecting Notre Dame fullback Nick Pietrosante to bull up the middle. But quarterback Bob Williams pitched to Dick Lynch, who swept the right side for a touchdown and a Notre Dame lead.

The Sooners answered by moving to the Irish 24, but on first down, Williams intercepted an Oklahoma pass in the end zone. When the final gun sounded, the Sooners crowd sat in stunned silence, then rose and gave both teams a standing ovation. In the locker room following the game, Wilkinson shouldered the entire blame himself, citing lack of preparation for the loss.

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POINT Players play the game, but coaches prepare players to succeed. Sometimes a team loses because of a lack of talent. Often a squad tastes defeat because it didn’t prepare as well as its opposition.

The heavenly Father wants us to prepare for the Christian life. He gives us what we need, but we must prepare to receive his gifts. Bible study, prayer, worship, Christian fellowship, and sharing our testimony prepare us for his presents . . . and his presence.

GOAL! Think about how an athlete prepares for a game. Consider how you prepare to lead a Christian life. None of us can do it without God’s help.