Sooner Fans Depressed Following Loss

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The "day after" hasn't been easy for many OU fans, wondering "what if" the Sooners had taken advantage of those early scoring chances. And wondering how long the team's BCS losing streak can go on.

Sooner fan Jeanne Williams is trying to stay positive in the face of OU's loss. Williams showed up for work at OU Medical Center's Children's Hospital, despite, she says, a near sleepless night.

"I'm in mourning; I dressed in all black today," Williams said.

Williams said a raucous, family watch party fell silent, as Sooner Magic turned Sooner tragic yet again.

"How many times do we have to go and be in this position, and walk away without that crystal football?" Williams said. "We need that back."

Like Williams, many of her co-workers struggled to put the game in perspective.

"Sure, I'm disappointed they lost, but, you know, again, it is a game and life goes on," fan Melinda Barkey said.

A steady stream of crimson and cream at the airport the day after the game showed that most of those fans, despite the loss, were still proud of the team.

Kevin Walker had hoped his senior year at OU would be capped with a national championship in football.

"We had our chances, but we didn't capitalize on the chances; could very well have been 21-7 at halftime, but..." Walker said.

But now, Walker said, it's time to move on to the next sport.

"Basketball season, well, hey, we got that to look forward to," Walker said.

The 14-1 Sooner men begin conference play Saturday.