Hall of Fame
Position: Halfback
Years: 1950-1952
Place of Birth: Cleveland, OK
Date of Birth: Mar 22, 1931
Place of Death: Coral Gables, FL
Date of Death: Nov 17, 2001
Jersey Number: 35
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
High School: Cleveland, OK (Cleveland HS)
The Oklahoma-Texas game, played annually in Dallas, is one of the nation's football classics. The game proved to be even more significant than normal in 1950, when both teams were powerhouses. Sophomore Billy Vessels was a new-found force in Oklahoma's backfield. On this day "Curly" scored two touchdowns, the last with four minutes to play, to lead Oklahoma to a 14-13 victory. Six weeks later he rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns as the Sooners outlasted Nebraska, 49-35, a game that clinched the National Championship for Oklahoma. The victory over Texas proved to be equally important, for it was the only game Texas lost. Oklahoma finished first and Texas second in the final UP poll. It was the start of Vessel's brilliant career. He would receive consensus All-America laurels in 1952, and became Oklahoma's first Heisman Trophy winner following his senior year. His career marks included 35 touchdowns and 210 points and 2085 yards rushing. He had 1072 yards rushing in 1952, alone. The Sooners posted an 8-1-1 record that year, the only loss a 27-21 bow to powerful Notre Dame when Vessels scored all three of his club's touchdowns. Following graduation, Billy played a year of Canadian pro ball and another season with the Baltimore Colts. Injuries cut short his playing career. He moved to Florida, was involved in thoroughbred racing, and served on the Florida State Racing Commission. In 1984, he was elected president of the National Association of Racing Commissioners. Vessels was born March 22, 1931, in Cleveland, Oklahoma. He died November 17, 2001 in Coral Gables, Florida.
