Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Look For Road Win At Kansas
November 11, 2002 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 11, 2002
Oklahoma State Cowboys [4-5, 2-3]
vs.
Kansas Jayhawks [2-9, 0-7]
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002 * 1 p.m. [CST]
Memorial Stadium [50,250] * Lawrence, Kan.
radio - Cowboy Radio Network; internet broadcast - okstate.com
TV - none
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Cowboys Test Kansas in Road Finale
Oklahoma State makes its final regular-season road trip of 2002 this week when the Cowboys travel to Lawrence, Kan., to face the Jayhawks. It will be the second of two-straight road games for the Cowboys, and the season finale for Kansas, which played at Nebraska last week. Kickoff at KU's Memorial Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
Back to Kansas
When Oklahoma State travels to Lawrence this week, it will be the second journey of the season into the state of Kansas (lost at K-State on Oct. 12), but the first time the Cowboys have played at Lawrence since the first game of the 1998 season. The last time the Cowboys played in Lawrence, they were coming off the 1997 Alamo Bowl season and the game was regionally televised by ABC. The Cowboys won that game, 38-28.
Three Games, Three Finishers
Oklahoma State will head into the final three weeks of the regular season with somewhat of an oddity. The Cowboys will face Kansas this week in the Jayhawks season finale. Next week, Baylor comes to Lewis Field in the season closer for the Bears and, on Nov. 30, the Cowboys host Oklahoma in the season finale for both schools.
Records and Streaks
Oklahoma State will head for Lawrence with an overall record of 4-5 and a Big 12 Conference mark of 2-3. Kansas is 2-9 overall and 0-7 in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks have lost six straight, dating back to a Sept. 28 win over Tulsa. Neither team is ranked or receiving votes in this week's polls. The Cowboys head for Lawrence after suffering a 49-24 loss at Texas Tech last week. The loss to Tech means OSU will have to win two of its final three regular-season games to become bowl eligible.
Pokes Look to Notch Road W
After Oklahoma State closed the 2001 season with back-to-back wins away from Lewis Field, life on the road hasn't been as pleasant in 2002. In fact, the Pokes head to Lawrence looking for their first road win of the season. OSU lost at Shreveport to Louisiana Tech in the season opener, and have subsequently lost road games at Texas, Kansas State and Texas Tech. OSU's last road victory was Nov. 24, 2001, at Oklahoma. While the Cowboys are searching for their first road win of the season, Kansas will be looking for just its second home win of the year. Kansas is 1-4 at home this season with the lone victory on Sept. 14 against Southwest Missouri State.
OSU on the Road
Oklahoma State will depart for Lawrence via chartered buses Friday morning. The Cowboys will travel to Lawrence, where they will stage a brief walk around on the Memorial Stadium turf. OSU will then bus to Overland Park, Kan., where the Cowboys will headquarter at the Overland Park Marriott. The Cowboys will return to Stillwater immediately following Saturday's game.
Streaky
There's more on the OSU-Kansas series later in this release but, to say the least, this series has been streaky. The Cowboys went unbeaten against the Jayhawks between 1973 and 1989 (17 games), although there were three ties in that streak. OSU has won the last two, including the last game played in Lawrence.
Gundy Enjoyed Jayhawks
Current Cowboy offensive coordinator Mike Gundy enjoyed considerable success during his playing career (1986-89) against the Jayhawks. In four games against KU, Gundy completed 67-of-102 passes for 977 yards and four touchdowns. That's a completion percentage of better than 65 percent and an average of 244 passing yards per game. It was against Kansas in 1989 that Gundy established an OSU single-game passing record that still stands. That day against KU, Gundy passed for 429 yards and two touchdowns.
OSU-Kansas ... Remember 1985
Oklahoma State went to Lawrence ranked 12th in the country, but smarting after a 34-24 loss to Nebraska the week before. After three quarters, the two Big Eight teams were tied at 10-10. All-American Leslie O'Neal gave the Cowboys a fourth-quarter chance after intercepting Mike Norseth's pass at the KU 11. The Cowboys couldn't covert, however, missing a field goal. Mark Moore would give the Cowboys another chance with an interception at the 3:55 mark. A 13-yard run by Thurman Thomas and a 30-yard screen pass from Ronnie Williams to Thomas set the Cowboys up at the Kansas two-yard line. Thomas would score the winning touchdown two plays later from the one. OSU used the win at Lawrence to springboard to four-straight victories and a repeat invite to the Gator Bowl.
With Three to Go
Oklahoma State needs two wins in its final three regular-season games to accomplish its preseason goal of being bowl eligible. OSU finishes the season with games at Kansas (this week) and then back-to-back contests on Lewis Field against Baylor and Oklahoma. The Cowboys will be trying to become the ninth Big 12 team to be bowl eligible, thus putting themselves in competition for one of the seven (non-BCS) bowl spots guaranteed the Big 12 Conference. Below is a look at the Big 12 teams that are either already eligible or looking to become bowl eligible in 2002.
School Record Remaining Schedule
Texas 9-1 at Texas Tech, Texas A&M
Oklahoma 8-1 at Baylor, Texas Tech, at OSU
Kansas State 8-2 Nebraska, at Missouri
Colorado 7-3 Iowa State, at Nebraska
Iowa State 7-4 at Colorado, Connecticut
Nebraska 7-4 at Kansas State, Colorado
Texas Tech 7-4 Texas, at Oklahoma
Texas A&M 6-4 Missouri, at Texas
Oklahoma State 4-5 at Kansas, Baylor, Oklahoma
Missouri 4-6 at Texas A&M, Kansas State
More on the Bowls
There is certainly a lot to be determined over the next three weeks as the Big 12 season winds down. What is certain is that the Big 12 champion is guaranteed a BCS Bowl spot, and not more than two Big 12 teams can appear in BCS bowls. After the BCS bowl have made their selections on Dec. 8, the Cotton, Holiday and Alamo Bowls will pick, in that order. The five, six and seven picks belong to the Tangerine, Independence and Houston Bowls, who pick as a group, followed by the Humanitarian Bowl.
OSU Honors Check-List
With All-Big 12 and All-America ballots due to be filled out over the next few weeks, below are capsule bios of OSU's most likely honors candidates. There's much more in this release on both Rashaun Woods and Kevin Williams, OSU's two All-America candidates.
WR Rashaun Woods - Leads the Big 12 and is fourth in the nation in receptions per game. Woods is fifth in the NCAA in receiving yards per game. He has 1,000 yards through nine games of the 2002 season. It is the second-straight year he has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. He had 111 yards vs. Texas Tech on Saturday, and that marked his fifth 100-yard game of the season. Woods in a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
DT Kevin Williams - Has been a dominant force on OSU's defensive front all season. Head Coach Les Miles says he hasn't seen a better defensive tackle in the country than Kevin Williams. After nine games, Williams leads OSU's interior linemen with 46 total tackles. He has eight tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
PK Luke Phillips - On the Lou Groza watch list for a second-straight season, Phillips is OSU's leading scorer with 49 points. He has connected on 31-of-32 extra point attempts, and is 6-of-8 in field goals. His long field goal in 2002 has been from 46 yards. Phillips is 3-of-3 between 30 and 39 yards.
TB Tatum Bell - Has emerged over the last three games as one of the most effective runners in the Big 12. He rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns against Texas Tech. That gives him a total 490 yards over the last three games, and gives him a season total of 658 yards and seven touchdowns. He is sixth (and climbing) on Big 12 rushing charts.
KR Chris Massey - Still one of the most dangerous kick returners in the country, Massey is third in the Big 12 and 27th nationally in kickoff returns after week nine. He has 14 returns for 343 yards, an average of 24.5 yard per return, and a long of 46 yards.
P Cole Farden - Won Oklahoma State's punting chores and has been outstanding. After nine games, Farden is averaging 41.9 yards on 45 punts. He has not had a punt blocked, killed 10 of his punts inside the 20, and sailed five more into the endzone for touchbacks. Farden is 32nd nationally in punting this week.
QB Josh Fields - In his first year as the starter at quarterback, Fields has quietly recorded impressive numbers. In nine games, he has completed 160-of-300 pass attempts for 1,881 yards and 15 touchdowns. Fields is just 119 yards from becoming the second quarterback in OSU football history to pass for 2,000 yards in a single season.
OL Sam Mayes - One of several members of OSU's offensive front who have performed much better over the past three or four weeks. Mayes has been effective as he has started every game for OSU at right guard. OSU's ground game, which is averaging nearly 140 yards per game, has been more effective in 2002 because of the work of Mayes and his O-line teammates.
How About Coach of the Year
You might not have to look much further than Oklahoma State's sideline and Les Miles. The Cowboys' second-year head coach has the Cowboys poised for a meaningful November, and has accomplishments in 2002 that few previous O-State coaches have been able to put on their resum?s. In the last 10 games, Miles has led the Cowboys to victories over Texas A&M, Nebraska and Oklahoma, and extended fourth-ranked Texas before falling, 17-15, in Austin.
About the Opposition
Oklahoma State's 2002 schedule has been a demanding one, to say the least. Consistently ranked among the 40 toughest schedules in the country, the Cowboys' 2002 slate has featured six teams that are either currently ranked or have been ranked in the top 25 this season. Three OSU opponents (Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas State) are ranked among the top 11 in this week's polls.
Cowboys Last Week
Oklahoma State went to Lubbock riding high after back-to-back wins over Nebraska and Texas A&M. The Cowboys came home after dropping a 49-24 loss to the Red Raiders who foiled OSU's attempt to win three-straight conference games for the first time since 1997. Tech stormed to a 21-0 lead, but the Cowboys would not go away easily. A 67-yard touchdown run by tailback Tatum Bell pulled the Pokes to within a touchdown (28-21) with 13:50 remaining in the third quarter. The Red Raiders responded, however, with two-straight touchdown passes from Kliff Kingsbury and a 14-yard interception return to seal the victory. OSU added a 35-yard Luke Phillips field goal late in the game. OSU had decent numbers offensively, including a 165-yard rushing effort from tailback Tatum Bell and a 19-of-39 passing day from Josh Fields that netted 257 yards and a touchdown. Tech's numbers included just 98 rushing yards, but the Red Raiders passed for 458 yards and four touchdowns, including a 425-yard passing performance by Kingsbury.
Noting the Texas Tech Game
Tight end Billy Bajema's 24-yard reception in the first quarter was the longest of his career, and he also recorded career highs in receptions (four) and yards (69) ... Chris Massey's 28-yard rush on a fake punt in the second quarter was the longest rush of his Oklahoma State career ... The 20-yard touchdown pass from Josh Fields to Rashaun Woods marked the 11th-straight game Fields has thrown at least one touchdown pass ... The 49 points scored by Texas Tech is the most by an OSU opponent since the Red Raiders duplicated that number a year ago ... Defensive lineman Jerry Don Bray recorded his first career sack in the fourth quarter at Lubbock.
Kevin Williams ... Best Defensive Tackle
Oklahoma State Head Coach Les Miles continues to say there may not be a better defensive tackle in the country than Kevin Williams. OSU's senior from Fordyce, Ark., added to his list of dominating 2002 performances two weeks ago against Texas A&M. Williams was credited with six tackles, all unassisted. He also had three tackles for minus-12 yards, including one sack for minus-nine yards. He has been disruptive, if not unblockable, on OSU's defensive interior all season with his best outings coming against Nebraska and Texas A&M.
More on K-Dub
Through nine games, Williams is fourth on the Cowboy defense in total tackles and is tops among defensive linemen. His nine game totals include 37 solo tackles and nine assists. He also has eight tackles for minus-31 yards, including two sacks for minus-17 yards. He has registered double-digit tackle performances against both Texas and Nebraska.
Breaking Down the Numbers
While Kevin Williams' 2002 season has been impressive from the beginning, a glance at the numbers indicates an increase in productivity as the quality of competition has increased. Through the first four games of the season, Williams had 14 tackles. In the last six games, dating back to the Texas game at Austin, Williams has been credited with 32 tackles, all eight of his tackles behind the line, and both quarterback sacks.
Tatum Running Strong in Second Half
Junior tailback Tatum Bell continued his second-half surge against Texas Tech. Bell, who had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Nebraska and Texas A&M, continued that string against the Red Raiders. Bell's numbers against Texas Tech included 22 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. It was the fifth 100-yard rushing day of Bell's career, and he has five of OSU's last six 100-yard games. After having the sixth-best day ever against a Nebraska defense two weeks earlier, Bell tagged Texas A&M for 145 yards on 25 carries. Bell scored three touchdowns against the Aggies, all in the first half. Bell's presence in the OSU backfield has come at just the right time. With Seymore Shaw recovering from a broken ankle, Bell has started to prove the flashes of brilliance he showed late in his freshman season were no fluke.
Strong in the Second Half
Like Kevin Williams, Tatum Bell has come on strong in the second half of the 2002 season. Saddled with nagging injuries earlier in the year, Bell has been strong since the Cowboys two-point loss at Texas. Through the first four games of the year, Bell had just 13 carries for 46 yards. He did not play against either Louisiana Tech or SMU. In the last five games (Texas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Texas Tech), Bell has carried the ball 100 times for 612 yards and six touchdowns. Through those five games, Bell has averaged 122.4 yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry.
Moving Up
Bell's surge over the past five games has resulted in a dramatic move up the Big 12 season rushing chart. Going into this week's game at Kansas, Bell is sixth on the league's rushing list.
Big 12 Rushers YPG
1. Chris Brown, Colorado 161.70
2. Quentin Griffin, Oklahoma 121.22
3. Jammal Lord, Nebraska 111.73
4. Cedric Benson, Texas 108.40
5. Darren Sproles, Kansas State 107.20
6. Tatum Bell, Oklahoma State 94.00
Woods Named Biletnikoff Semifinalist
Wide Receiver Rashaun Woods was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the top receiver in college football. The announcement was made just two days before Woods caught 11 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown in OSU's 24-21 win over Nebraska. The other Biletnikoff semifinalists are Nevada's Nate Burleson, Lane Danielsen of Iowa State, Florida's Taylor Jacobs, Illinois' Brandon Loyd, Shaun McDonald of Arizona State, Michigan State's Charles Rogers, Purdue's John Standeford, Greg Tolver of San Diego State and Texas' Roy Williams.
Woods on Big 12 Lists
OSU's All-America candidate continues to move up OSU and Big 12 Conference receiving lists. Woods is one of four active Big 12 receivers in the chase for the Big 12 receiving yardage record.
Woods' Streaks Intact
Woods' eight receptions against Texas Tech extended his streak to 27-consecutive games in which he has at least two receptions. He has had at least four receptions in 20-straight games. Woods' 11 receptions against Nebraska two weeks ago was a career high. He has had 10 receptions in four other games, including the 2002 season opener against Louisiana Tech. The game vs. Texas Tech was the fifth 100-plus yard game of the season for Woods, and the 10th of his Oklahoma State career.
Woods' Top 10 Single-Game Performances
Sept. 7, 2002 Northern Iowa 9-175-0
Sept. 29, 2001 Northwestern State 10-144-1
Sept. 14, 2002 UCLA 7-143-1
Sept. 1, 2001 Southern Miss 10-139-0
Oct. 19, 2002 Nebraska 11-134-1
Nov. 24, 2001 Oklahoma 8-129-1
Aug. 31, 2002 Louisiana Tech 10-126-3
Nov. 9, 2002 Texas Tech 8-111-1
Oct. 27, 2001 Colorado 6-109-0
Nov. 10, 2001 Texas Tech 10-109-3
Where He Stands
Going into the 10th week of the season, Rashaun Woods continues to lead the Big 12 Conference in receptions per game with an 8.00 receptions per game average. He also tops the league with 111.17 receiving yards per game, and has more total receiving yards than any other receiver in the Big 12 Conference. Woods is seventh in the Big 12 in all-purpose yards. In this week's NCAA statistics, Woods is once again fourth in receptions per game and fifth in receiving yards per game.
It's Over 200 Again for Fields
Sophomore quarterback Josh Fields added yet another 200-yard passing performance to his short OSU resum?. In Saturday's 49-24 loss at Texas Tech, Fields completed 19-of-39 attempts for 257 yards and a touchdown. It was the fifth 200-yard performance of the season for Fields, who had a career-high 291 yards against UCLA. It was the sixth 200-yard performance of his OSU career.
Numbers Nearing Record Levels
Through nine games, OSU's Josh Fields has thrown for 1,881 yards. That already represents the fourth-best single-season passing performance in OSU history. Incredibly, Fields needs just 323 more yards to topple the single-season passing numbers of Mike Gundy, who threw for 2,203 as a senior in 1989. Fields needs just 226 yards to establish a new single-season sophomore passing record. Gundy also holds that mark with 2,106 yards in 1987.
Josh Fields on OSU Passing Lists
Single-Season Passing
1. Mike Gundy (1989) 2,203
2. Mike Gundy (1988) 2,163
3. Mike Gundy (1987) 2,106
4. Josh Fields (2002) 1,881
Sophomore Season Passing
1. Mike Gundy (1987) 2,106
2. Josh Fields (2002) 1,881
Don't Forget the Other Receivers
While Rashaun Woods is setting an All-America pace, Oklahoma State also has talented and productive receivers surrounding him. John Lewis is O-State's second-best pass catcher with 24 receptions for 383 yards and four touchdowns. Terrance Davis-Bryant is just behind Lewis with 24 catches for 218 yards. Tight end Billy Bajema, who had his best career day against Texas Tech, now has 11 catches for 127 yards in 2002. Through nine games in 2002, Oklahoma State has had 15 receivers catch at least one pass.
For Starters
Oklahoma State has had several players start every game of the 2002 season. In fact, 12 (five on offense and seven on defense) have drawn starting duty in all nine games to date. On the offensive side, Kyle Eaton (LT), Sam Mayes (RG), Jason Russell (RT), Billy Bajema (TE) and Josh Fields (QB) have started every game. On the defensive side, Kevin Williams (DT), LaWaylon Brown (NG), Paul Duren (LB), Darrent Williams (CB), Kirk Milligan (SS) Chris Massey (WS) and Elbert Craig (S), have started all nine.
Scouting Kansas
Kansas (2-9, 0-7) will look to end a six-game losing streak and pick up its first conference win in 2002 when Oklahoma State comes calling in the season finale for the Jayhawks. Last Saturday, KU closed out its road slate in Lincoln, Neb., falling 45-7 at the hands of the Nebraska Huskers. The Jayhawks opened the season with back-to-back road losses against Iowa State and UNLV before dropping Southwest Missouri State, 44-24, in Lawrence. After a 39-16 loss to Bowling Green, the Jayhawks picked up their lone road win of the season, a 43-33 triumph over Tulsa. Setbacks against Baylor, Colorado, Texas A&M, Missouri and Kansas State preceded last weekend's contest at Nebraska.
Coach Mark Mangino
First-year head coach Mark Mangino is no stranger to the Big 12 Conference, taking over the Kansas program after spending the last three seasons as an assistant head coach at Oklahoma. Prior to his appointment at OU, Mangino worked his way through the ranks of the Kansas State coaching staff, joining the Wildcat program in 1991 as an assistant coach and assuming the role of assistant head coach in 1998. During his 11 seasons at the two schools, the Wildcats and Sooners posted a combined record of 101-30-1 - including a 13-0 national championship season in 2000 at OU - and were ranked in the top 25 nationally in eight of those 11 years. In addition, Mangino has been a part of nine bowl teams. His career has also included stints at New Castle (Pa.) High School, Youngstown State, Geneva College and Ellwood City High School.
OSU-KU Series ... KU Leads, 28-24-3
The former Big Eight rivals have squared off 55 times, with the Jayhawks holding a 28-24-3 advantage in the series. However, the Cowboys have come away victorious in the last two meetings, prevailing 45-13 in Stillwater in 1999 and winning in their last trip to Lawrence, 38-28, in 1998. In the six contests from 1990-95, the Jayhawks came out on top each time, ending a seven-game winning streak by the Cowboys in the series. In the teams' 21 meetings from 1969-89, OSU owned an 18-1-2 record. OSU and KU did battle every year from 1946-95 before a two-year hiatus due to the formation of the Big 12 North and South Divisions. The two teams have met 30 times previously in Lawrence, with the Jayhawks holding a slim 15-14-1 advantage.
Jayhawks to Watch
CB Remuise Johnson - Redshirt junior who is competing in his first season for the Jayhawks. Johnson redshirted last season after earning first-team all-conference honors at Garden City Community College. Johnson is responsible for six of the team's 11 interceptions on the season, giving him the third-highest total on the school's single-season list. Johnson has also broken up six passes on the season and has 37 total tackles on the season. Johnson has also returned 20 punts this season for 124 yards with a long of 36 yards.
KR Greg Heaggans - Redshirt freshman that has emerged as a dangerous kick returner. Heaggans has returned 26 kickoffs this season for 659 yards, an average of 25.4 yards per attempt. The Kansas City native has also recorded a 100-yard touchdown return on the year. With his five returns for 119 yards in KU's loss to Kansas State, Heaggans surpassed Arnold Snell's single-season school record of 531 kickoff return yards set in 1988.
WR Byron Gasaway - Senior wideout leads the team with 34 receptions on the season. Gasaway has also tallied a team-best 413 yards through the air, and is tied for the team lead with four touchdowns catches. Gasaway also has four kick returns for 56 yards. The Grandview, Mo., native has six touchdown catches during his career to go along with 849 receiving yards.
Odds and Ends
Five Oklahomans - Brandon Lacy (Edmond Sante Fe), Marcellus Jones (OKC Millwood), Derek Fine (Sallisaw), Joe Hogan (Sallisaw) and Nick McCaslin (Jenks) - dot the Jayhawks' roster.
