The two sides of Bedlam

STILLWATER — Oklahoma and Oklahoma State know each other well. But when it comes to Bedlam, they are almost complete strangers.

Bill Shimek and Johnny Barr have battled from both sides of Bedlam. Shimek and Barr admit there were marked differences between how Bedlam was viewed at each school.

Shimek was an OU assistant from 1973-82 and was an assistant on the OSU staff from 1983-91. He is now retired in Monroe, La.

Barr lettered with the Sooners in 1968-69; was their freshman receivers coach in 1970; coached OSU outside linebackers from 1986-88; OU inside linebackers from 1989-94; and returned to OSU as co-defensive coordinator in 1995-96. He is now coordinator of on-campus recruiting at Texas A&M.

"At OU, it was just another game, a warm-up to see if we could put half-a-hundred on 'em. That's what (coach Barry) Switzer used to say," Shimek said. "At OSU, well ..."

Shimek's passion quickly quieted, looking for a spark.

"Basically, we only had one chance (to win)," Shimek mumbled.

The last two plays of the 1988 contest in Stillwater are daggers still firmly stuck in Cowboy hearts.

With 51 seconds left and OU leading 31-28, OSU fullback Garrett Limbrick was flagged for cussing Sooners linebacker Richard Dillon on the sideline after a play.

Rather than fourth-and-1 at the OU 19-yard line, the Cowboys instead faced fourth-and-16 at the 34.

On the next play, OSU wide receiver