Remember that time country music star Sam Hunt nearly beat the Oklahoma Sooners?

As “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s” climbs the charts in country music, I can’t help but think of the man who nearly took down the 10th ranked Oklahoma Sooners on the road back in 2006.

Sam Hunt. A transfer from Tennessee Tech who against the Sooners completed nine of 15 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Hunt also rushed 15 times for 65 yards. The Blazers lost a heartbreaker in the 4th quarter, 24-17.

Hunt had an injury-marred 2006 season, then played full-time in 2007 and threw for 1,905 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

But this is where you country-music fans come in. That’s the same Sam Hunt who now is a renowned Nashville singer and songwriter. Hunt, 36, wrote songs for Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Reba McEntire. Hunt’s debut album, Montevallo in 2015, was a hit and launched quite the career.

Hunt became the first recording artist since Billy Ray Cyrus, 22 years earlier, to reach the top of three country charts simultaneously. He also was the first artist since Clint Black to occupy both year-end No. 1 album and single.

And Hunt almost took down the Sooners in 2006.

He was actually a very solid athlete. Surveyed the field very well, made on-time throws to the sideline and escaped the pocket well when it collapsed. Pretty darn smooth on his feet for a guitar playing white guy, too. Here are some highlights and a link to his player profile at UAB if you don’t believe it’s actually THE Sam Hunt:

UAB QB Sam Hunt vs. FSU (2007 highlights) – YouTube

Sam Hunt – Football – University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics (uabsports.com)