Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images
The former walk-on was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 29th overall pick in 1973. At the time, it was the highest a former walk-on had ever been taken in the NFL Draft.
Former Oklahoma Sooners and New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Derland Moore passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24 at the age of 68.
New Orleans Saints legend Derland Moore dies at 68
Story: https://t.co/coJdPpJwgk pic.twitter.com/xpJoADqZtv
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 25, 2020
After signing with OU by way of a track and field scholarship, Moore walked onto the football team led by Chuck Fairbanks, and played alongside the legendary Selmon brothers. As a senior in 1972, he was named an All-American, and in the following NFL Draft , New Orleans took him with the 29th overall pick, making him the highest selected player who started his college career as a walk-on. Today, that record is famously held by another Sooner — Baker Mayfield , who was drafted with the first overall pick in 2018.
As a pro, Moore played in 170 games for New Orleans from 1973 to 1985, became a Pro Bowler (‘83) and was inducted into the Saints ’ Hall of Fame. The Malden, Missouri native was also enshrined in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Today, he is survived by his wife Frannie, his children Michelle, Brad and Chip, and six grandchildren.
Now on to this week’s Friday edition of Hot Links — Big 12 Football is on its way to Norman this weekend, Sooner DBs are making significant impacts on and off the field, and more.
OU Links
According to Sooner Scoop’s Carey Murdock, OU AD Joe Castiglione has confirmed that this weekend’s game is officially ON. Boomer!
Confirmed by @soonerad . Game on. OU vs. KSU is a go. Bring your masks.
— Carey Murdock (@CareyAMurdock) September 25, 2020
Lincoln Riley shared some of his final thoughts before tomorrow’s Big 12 opener against Kansas State. He spoke of the challenge that Skylar Thompson brings as the first of a number of highly experienced QBs Oklahoma’s defense will face over the next few weeks. He also talked about how true the ‘revenge’ factor is for OU heading into this contest.
Friday’s final word.@OklahomaNatural | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/VFOsAYeUsl
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) September 25, 2020
The Norman Transcript’s Joe Buettner recently took a deep dive into what makes junior safety Patrick Fields such a respected leader and teammate. With several veteran voices from last year’s defense no longer walking through the locker room doors, the Tulsa product has taken it upon himself to be the kind of captain his team needs him to be .
SI Sooners John Hoover wrote about sophomore CB Jaden Davis ’ hot start in 2019 that ended with a cool finish. Now a year older and a year wiser, Davis is impressing his coaches and showing why there was so much to like during the first half of his inaugural season.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly made a list of the top 25 most important players in the nation , and for him, redshirt freshman QB Spencer Rattler checks in at No. 3.
Make sure you check out Allen Kenney’s breakdown of K-State’s vaunted rushing attack, and how Alex Grinch can combat the Wildcats’ ground game with a tweak or two on defense.
Hey there, Sooner fans! The brilliant designers over at BreakingT recently released this hot-off-the-press, OU-themed ‘Quick-Strike Offense’ t-shirt just for you. Since Lincoln Riley began calling plays for Oklahoma five seasons ago, the offense in Norman has been among the most lethal attacks in FBS history. After last Saturday, it appears this year’s group has the potential to be even better than the rest. Now go ahead and check out this sweet tee for yourself right away!
The first four drives of the Oklahoma #Sooners ’ season:
5 plays, 58 yards, 2:13
1 play, 58 yards, 0:10
5 plays, 65 yards, 2:40
1 play, 37 yards, 0:11
Our friends at @BreakingT have created a t-shirt to reflect this very fact, and you can get one here: https://t.co/1HdPeV5nLk pic.twitter.com/LKY0ZC1SV2
— C&C Machine (@CCMachine) September 15, 2020
Around the Sports World
The Miami Heat look to close out the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Can Jimmy Butler reach the NBA Finals for the first time in his career, or will the C’s rise up to extend this series for another game?
Will the @MiamiHEAT lock in a spot in the NBA Finals, or will the @celtics make the Eastern Conference Finals 3-2??
Find out TONIGHT for Game 5 at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/JHlkEqeN79
— NBA (@NBA) September 25, 2020
The Pac-12 Conference has officially joined the 2020 college football party . On Thursday, the league announced it would begin a seven-game schedule on Nov. 6. This is indeed the craziest season ever, but hey, the more the merrier, I suppose. Plus, now we get to have those classic after-dark specials.
In August, Purdue Boilermakers standout WR Rondale Moore decided to opt out of the 2020 college football season, but with the Big Ten set to play in October, the elite junior has reversed course, now deciding to opt back in . When the stars play, it’s always great news for the sport as a whole.
Late in the third quarter of Thursday Night Football, Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson was ejected from the game for illegal contact with an official. As you can see in this replay, he obviously shoved their arms off of him, but this ruling is still pretty soft in my opinion. Whatever, I guess. Ultimately, the Miami Dolphins beat the Jags for their first win of the season, 31-13.
Jaguars OL Cam Robinson was disqualified from #MIAvsJAX for contact with an official. pic.twitter.com/NkmplFr1kQ
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) September 25, 2020
Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter !