Owen, "Bennie" (Benjamin G.)
Football
b. July 24, 1875, Chicago, IL
d. Feb. 26, 1970
Owen was quarterback of the University of Kansas team that went undefeated in 1899 under legendary coach "Hurry Up" Yost. After coaching Washburn College in Kansas in 1900, he rejoined Yost as an assistant coach at Michigan for a year and then became head coach at Bethany College in Kansas from 1901 through 1904, compiling a 22-2-2 record.
In 1905, two years before Oklahoma became a state, Owen began coaching at the University of Oklahoma. Like Yost, he created a fast-paced offense, with the quarterback calling signals for a play while players were still lying on the ground after the previous play.
His 1911 team was the first undefeated team to play a full schedule in Oklahoma history with a 8-0-0 record. After the 1913 season, Owen lost all of his starters and in desperation he created what he himself called "a wide open, reckless game." Oklahoma had a 9-1-1 record, led major colleges in scoring with 435 points, and completed 25 touchdown passes.
Averaging more than 30 passes a game, the 1915 team went undefeated. Owen also produced undefeated teams in 1918 and 1920. He retired as coach after the 1926 season but remained as athletic director through 1934 and oversaw construction of a new football stadium, a fieldhouse, a golf course, tennis courts, and a baseball field.
Owen, who lost his right arm in a 1907 hunting accident, became director of intramural athletics at the school in 1935. He retired in 1938. In his 27 seasons, Owen's teams won 155 games while losing 60 and tying 19. The Oklahoma football field is named for him.