Jimmy Harris, former Sooner and Eagle, dies

Jimmy Harris, the starting quarterback for much of Oklahoma's record 47-game winning streak in the 1950s, died of lung cancer Tuesday in Shreveport, La. The one-time Eagles defensive back was 76.

Mr. Harris took over as Oklahoma's quarterback during the 1954 season and never lost a game, going 25-0 and leading the Sooners to national championships in 1955 and 1956.

He is one of only six quarterbacks to lead a school to back-to-back national titles. Notre Dame's Johnny Lujack (1946-47), Nebraska's Jerry Tagge (1970-71), Oklahoma's Steve Davis (1974-75), Nebraska's Tommie Frazier (1994-95), and Southern California's Matt Leinart (2003-04) are the others.

"If it wasn't for Jimmy Harris, I don't think Oklahoma could have won," said Tommy McDonald, Oklahoma's Maxwell Award-winning running back during the streak. "He was a super guy. He had a lot of talent."

Mr. Harris had career totals of 1,237 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns and 745 yards passing with another 10 TDs. He also made eight interceptions while playing defense.

Mr. Harris played four seasons in the NFL and AFL: as a defensive back with the Eagles in 1957, and later with the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Texans, and lastly with the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. He was credited with 11 career interceptions as a pro.