Defense, special teams also shine for Cowboys
Oklahoma State has the makings of a complete team.
That kind of assessment takes time to set in occasionally since the Cowboys have earned the reputation of an offensive-minded force capable of keeping pace in the swift Big 12.
Yet in its first test against a ranked opponent, the Cowboys were forceful in all three phases, holding Boise State to a one-yard average on the ground in a 44-21 rout on Sept. 15. The win vaulted Oklahoma State (3-0) to No. 15 in the rankings.
“We’re different in special teams and I think we’re better in the return game than we were,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “Defensively, so far our guys are in the right spot, in the right gap, getting pressure. When you can get seven sacks against a team that knows what they’re doing on offense, you’re going to have a chance to have some success.”
Despite the defensive success, which included three sacks from Jordan Brailford and two by defensive end Jarrell Evans, the expectation for the Cowboys’ Big 12 opener will be that they are in for a shootout. Texas Tech (2-1) visits Saturday night after an explosive 63-49 win over Houston.
The Red Raiders are triggered by a true freshman quarterback, Alan Bowman, who was sensational against Houston, passing for 605 yards and five touchdowns. The quick-paced spread Texas Tech employs will be yet another challenge for first-year Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles after solving Boise State’s West Coast-type attack.
“We are getting into a stretch where we are going to see different styles of offense,” said Gundy, “and each week is a challenge. ? As we progress through, we are going to get a pretty good taste of different style of offenses.”
Securing momentum in any phase is desirable, and the Cowboys did that with two blocked punts against Boise State from Amen Ogbongbemiga and Jarrick Bernard. Each set up touchdowns, including one which Za’Carrius Green scored after recovering Bernard’s block.
Chuba Hubbard added a 32-yard kickoff return to provide an additional something for opponents to scout while preparing for Oklahoma State’s special teams.
“You have to put the extra time in on special teams,” said Gundy, “and it takes a certain young man to be willing to put that extra time in because it’s a drain, mentally and physically. You have to find the ones who want to do it and are excited about being on the field.”
Additional contributions should help ease the burden of Oklahoma State’s first-time starter at quarterback, fifth-year senior Taylor Cornelius. Cornelius has gradually improved each week and against Boise State showed more capacity in the run game while totaling 284 yards and three touchdowns.
As long as the Cowboys can keep defenses guessing with a run game featuring Justice Hill, Cornelius’ grasp of the system while on the field will improve after previously backing up Mason Rudolph.
“He’s confident in himself and unselfish,” Gundy added. “At this point, he’s shown us that he’s tough and can take a hit, which is an important part of playing quarterback at this level. ? He’s getting into a different part of the (season) and hopefully he’ll continue to play well. I think he’s developing into a pretty good college quarterback.”
