Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Hosts Oklahoma In Regular Season Finale
November 25, 2002 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 25, 2002
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Oklahoma State Cowboys [6-5, 4-3]
vs.
Oklahoma Sooners [10-1, 6-1]
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2002 * 1:30 p.m. [CST]
Lewis Field [48,500] * Stillwater, Okla.
radio - Cowboy Radio Network; internet broadcast - okstate.com
TV - Fox Sports National
Cowboys Face Sooners in Season Finale
Oklahoma State entertains Oklahoma Saturday afternoon as the curtain falls on the 2002 regular season. It will be the 96th meeting between the two state rivals and it's a game that has postseason implications for both teams. An Oklahoma State victory would give the Cowboys a seven-win season for the first time since 1997 and be O-State's second straight win over Oklahoma.
Records, Rankings
Oklahoma State will carry an overall record of 6-5 into Saturday's game against Oklahoma. The Cowboys went over the .500 mark last week with a 63-28 win over Baylor on Lewis Field. The Cowboys come into this week's game with a 4-3 record in Big 12 play. Oklahoma will come to Stillwater with an overall record of 10-1 and a league mark of 6-1. The Sooners clinched the Big 12 South Division Title last week with a 60-15 win over Texas Tech. Oklahoma is ranked fourth in this week's USA Today-ESPN Top 25 Poll. The Sooners represent the fourth nationally ranked opponent the Cowboys have faced in the 2002 regular season.
Kickoff, Attendance
Kickoff for Saturday's battle between OSU and OU is set for 1:30 p.m. (CST). The game has officially been a sellout for several weeks (48,500). It will be OSU's first official sellout of the 2002 season but will be the third crowd of 45,000 or more and the sixth of 40,000 or more.
Cowboys-Sooners Offer Post-Holiday Treat
Saturday will mark the fourth straight year the cross-state rivals have met the Saturday after Thanksgiving, offering a festive cap to the November holiday. Oklahoma State and Oklahoma will be battling in the regular season finale for the 47th time since 1915. The Bedlam game was the season closer for both teams 30 consecutive years between 1944 and 1974. Since 1978, the teams have met on the final weekend of the regular season eight times. The game is scheduled to revert to early November next season in Norman.
Headed in the Right Direction
With Oklahoma State's 63-28 win over Baylor last week, the Cowboys have won four of their last five and appear to be playing their best football down the stretch run. The Cowboys haven't registered this successful an end to a regular season since 1988. OSU's last bowl team (1997), won only two of its final five regular season games. You have to go back to 1988 for a similar end. The `88 Pokes won five of their final six, including three straight to finish the regular season, then topped the year with a Holiday Bowl victory over Wyoming.
OSU's Work Week
The Cowboys will go through a fairly normal work week. OSU will practice Tuesday and Wednesday at normal times. Thursday's workout is expected to be moved to an earlier time with a Thanksgiving Dinner to follow. The Pokes will revert to a normal practice time Friday afternoon.
Senior Day
Saturday's game will not only mark the final regular season game for the Cowboys, it will mark the final home game for 22 Oklahoma State seniors. All 22 seniors and their families will be honored in pregame ceremonies Saturday afternoon.
Oklahoma State's 2002 Senior Class
Kobina Amoo DB Alief, Texas (Hastings, NEO)
Kyle Beck DE Snyder, Texas
Adonis Brewer WR Lawton, Okla. (Eisenhower)
LaWaylon Brown DT Whitehouse, Texas
Michael Cox QB Owasso, Okla
Terrance Davis-Bryant WR Houston, Texas (Madison)
Mike Denard FB Oakland, Calif. (Tech)
Kyle Eaton OL Rogers, Texas
Thomas Glapion DL Lakewood, Colo.
Ricklan Holmes-Miller DB Tyler, Texas (John Tyler)
John Lewis WR Port Arthur, Texas (Jefferson)
Gabe Lindsay WR Denver, Colo. (Jefferson)
Chris Massey DB Spiro, Okla.
Kirk Milligan DB Oklahoma City (Putnam City North)
Jed Newkirk OL Independence, Kan.
Terrence Robinson LB Tyler, Texas (John Tyler)
Jason Russell OL Oklahoma City (Putnam City)
Scott Smith DS Broken Arrow, Okla.
Saul Talley DS Stillwater, Okla.
Dustin Vanderhoof OL Stroud, Okla.
Kevin Williams DT Fordyce, Ark. (Rogers)
Willie Young WR Kansas City, Kan. (Wyandotte)
Cowboys-Sooners Popular TV Choice
The annual clash between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma has been a popular television choice over the past few years. Saturday will mark the fourth straight time the Bedlam game has been televised to a national audience by Fox Sports Net. Since 1984, the OSU-OU game has been televised seven times.
Bowling Around
Oklahoma State's 63-28 win over Baylor last week gave the Cowboys win number six on the season and that makes Les Miles' second squad bowl eligible. OSU is bowl qualified for the second time since 1997 and just the third time since 1988. Should the Cowboys gain a bowl invitation in 2002, Les Miles would become just the third Oklahoma State football coach to lead his team to a bowl game in either the first or second season of their tenure.
Second-Year Turnarounds
Of Oklahoma State's 18 previous head football coaches who had at least two-year careers, Les Miles has a chance to become just the third OSU coach to post a winning record in their second season after a losing record in their first. Earl Pritchard posted a 4-2 record in 1918 after a 4-5 mark in 1917 (his first OSU season). Ed Parry recorded a 4-3 record in 1908 after a 1-3-1 mark in his first season (1907).
OSU Last Week
Oklahoma State continued it's offensive assault with a 63-28 win over Baylor on Lewis Field. The Cowboys rushed for 186 yards and passed for 290. That's 476 yards of total offense, an average of 8.2 yards per play. Just like the week before at Kansas, the Cowboys were efficient on the offensive side. OSU scored on its first seven possessions and on nine of its first 10 possessions. The Cowboys were led by quarterback Josh Fields who completed 10 of his 14 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Rashaun Woods caught seven passes for 134 yards and was on the receiving end for two of Fields' four touchdown passes. Tailback Tatum Bell carried 14 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, the Cowboys were led by Kyle Beck who had four tackles, three of which were for minus yardage.
Woods Moves Past Dykes
Rashaun Woods' record-setting season continued last Saturday when the Oklahoma City junior caught seven passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns in the 63-28 win over Baylor. For the season, Woods now has 1,305 yards and that breaks the single-season receiving record held by Hart Lee Dykes since 1988.
Breaking His Own Record
In addition to erasing Dykes' long-standing single-season receiving record, Woods moved past one of his own records. The seven reception against Baylor gives him a season total of 86 and that is six more than the single-season record he established in 2001. He broke the record on a 20-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Baylor on Saturday.
Closing in on the Career Marks
With one regular season game remaining and a possible bowl game (bowl game stats count on career records beginning this season), Rashaun Woods is closing in on the career receiving record established by Hart Lee Dykes and the career reception record also established by Dykes. Dykes wore the Cowboy uniform from 1985 to 1988. He had 203 career receptions for a total of 3,171 yards. and 29 touchdowns. Two of those three records could fall before the Cowboys end the 2002 season, especially with bowl game stats counting toward career totals.
Woods in Big 12 and NCAA Statistics
OSU's talented receiver continues to lead the Big 12 in every receiving category. He also continues to rank in the top five on NCAA receiving lists. In receptions per game, Woods tops the Big 12 with an average of 7.82 per game. He leads by almost one catch per game. In receiving yards, Woods is the only Big 12 pass catcher averaging 100 or more yards per game. Woods' 11-game average of 118.64 leads Baylor's Reggie Newhouse who completed his season with 1,140 yards, an average of 95 yards per game. Only five Big 12 receivers have 1,000 or more total receiving yards. Woods is also among league leaders in all-purpose yards. His average of 118.64 trails only Chris Brown (Colorado), Quentin Griffin (Oklahoma), Wes Welker (Texas Tech) and Darren Sproles (Kansas State). In NCAA statistics as of this week, Woods remains fourth in receiving yards per game and fifth in receptions per game. Those lists are available on Rashaun's honors page later in this release.
Another Field(s) Day for OSU
Sophomore quarterback Josh Fields came up big again for the Cowboys. Against Baylor, Fields engineered an OSU offense that was efficient and diverse. Fields completed 10 of 14 passes for 243 yards. That's a completion percentage of .714 and an average of 24.3 yards per completion.
More of the Same
Saturday's performance by OSU's sophomore quarterback was just the continuation of what has been an incredible season. Through 11 games, Fields has completed 187 of 341 for 2,478 yards and 25 touchdowns. He is completing nearly 55 percent of his passes, has been intercepted only nine times and has an efficiency rating of 134.80. He has eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark in seven of the 11 games this season, including the last four.
Speaking of the Last Four
While his numbers have been impressive all season, Fields' numbers over the last four games have been spectacular. Against Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Kansas and Baylor, Fields has completed 63 of 112 (.562) for 1,070 yards and 12 touchdowns. Through that four game span, Fields has thrown just one interception (vs. Texas Tech). Since that interception against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Fields has gone 53 straight attempts without throwing an interception.
Adding to the Record
Fields continues to add to the single-season records for passing yards and touchdown passes he established against Kansas. He has now surpassed Mike Gundy's old single-season passing record by 275 yards and has six more touchdown passes than Gundy had in his record-setting season.
Fields Among League and NCAA Leaders
OSU's sophomore quarterback is keeping impressive company on Big 12 statistical charts as the regular season nears an end. Only three Big 12 quarterbacks have passes for more yards than Josh Fields. Kliff Kingsbury has a league-leading total of 4,642 with Seneca Wallace second at 3,138. Texas' Chris Simms has 2,660 with Fields number four at 2,478. Fields' 25 touchdown passes are the second-most in the Big 12 to Kingsbury's 42. In passing efficiency, Fields is also fourth in the Big 12 behind Kingsbury, Ell Roberson (Kansas State) and Simms. Nationally, Fields is 24th in passing efficiency and 44th in total offense.
What's Next? Looking for 3,000
Fields will go into this week's game against Oklahoma just 71 short of becoming the sixth quarterback in OSU history to pass for 3,000 or more yards. Fields' career total stands at 2,929 and he's played in just 17 games. Only Mike Gundy, Tone' Jones, Tony Lindsay, Rusty Hilger and Aso Pogi have reached the 3,000-yard passing mark at OSU.
Bell Races for 100, Again
Junior tailback Tatum Bell carried the ball 14 times for 106 net yards against Baylor last week, marking the fourth time this season he has rushed for 100 or more yards and the fourth time in the last five games. The second half of the 2002 season has been a good one for Bell, who broke onto the OSU scene two years ago with a long touchdown run against Oklahoma on Lewis Field. Bell's 106 vs. Baylor goes with 165 yards at Texas Tech two weeks ago, 143 yards vs. Texas A&M on Lewis Field and 182 yards vs. Nebraska in a 24-21 OSU win in October. Bell has three multiple touchdown games, including three against both Baylor and Texas A&M and two in the loss at Texas Tech.
Closing in on 1,000
With one game to play in the regular season, Bell is within striking distance of the 1,000 rushing yards. His season totals through 11 games include 140 carries for 830 net yards and 10 touchdowns. He would need 170 yards this week against Oklahoma to break 1,000 during the 12-game regular season schedule. His rushing season already ranks as the 23rd-best single-season effort in OSU history.
Last Five Impressive
The most impressive part of Tatum Bell's 2002 season has been the last part. After struggling through early-season injuries, Bell has come on strong in the second half and has become one of the Big 12 Conference's most effective backs. Bell's numbers through the first six games included just 33 carries for 168 yards. He did not play in the opener against Louisiana Tech or against SMU in late September. From game seven (Nebraska) on, however, Bell has been superb. The numbers from his last five games include 107 carries for 662 yards and eight touchdowns. That's an average of 132.4 yards per game and almost 6.2 yards per carry.
Climbing the Charts
Tatum Bell's second-half explosion has sent him climbing statistical charts in both the Big 12 and NCAA. With one game to play in the regular season, Bell is number six in the Big 12 and 48th, nationally.
John Lewis a Valuable Weapon
Rashaun Woods isn't the only weapon Oklahoma State has at the wide receiver positions. John Lewis is having the best season of his OSU career and continues to show big play capabilities. Saturday against Baylor, Lewis had three catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. Through 11 regular season games, Lewis is OSU's number two receiver with 30 catches for 539 yards and six touchdowns. Lewis' season receiving yardage, while second on the OSU list and 21st among Big 12 receivers, would lead four of the 12 teams in the Big 12 Conference.
Big Plays
Lewis' big play potential was evident again in Saturday's win over Baylor. His 34-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was his sixth score this season. Five of the six have gone for 30 or more yards. Six of his seven career touchdown receptions have been for 30 yards or more.
Welcome Back, Gabe
Oklahoma State coaches and fans have known about the ability of Gabe Lindsay since he arrived on campus. Injuries have consistently kept him off the field but Saturday, Lindsay showed his marvelous ability one more time. He returned five punts for 134 yards, including long of 43 yards. He now has seven returns on the season for 183 yards and an average of 26.1 yards per return.
T.D. Bryant a Double Threat
OSU's Terrance Davis-Bryant is a double threat as both a wide receiver and kick returner. His 29-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter was his first scoring grab of the season and second of his career. He had a 28-yard touchdown catch against Missouri on October 6, 2000. Through 11 games of the 2002 season, Davis-Bryant is OSU's third-leading receiver with 28 catches fo 314 yards. He is averaging 11.2 yards per reception. He needs just 55 more yards to record his best OSU season. As a kick returner, Davis-Bryant has 27 punt returns for 307 yards and an average of 11.4 yards per return. He is 43rd in the country in that category.
Coach of the Year
Oklahoma State's second-year head coach could be the most deserving of league coach of the year honors. He took over the OSU program in December of 2000 and, after a 4-7 season in 2001, has the Cowboys over .500 and probably headed for their first bowl game since 1997. Les Miles has overseen a resurgent Oklahoma State offense that is having a record-setting season. He followed the 2001 upset of fourth-ranked Oklahoma with 2002 victories over Nebraska and Texas A&M.
OSU Honors Check-List
With All-Big 12 and All-American ballots being filled out now, below are capsule bios of OSU's most likely honors 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 1,305 yards through 11 games of the 2002 season. It is the second straight year he has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. Woods now owns both the single season receiving yardage record and single season receptions record at OSU and is closing in on career records.
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 11 games, Williams leads OSU's interior linemen with 52 total tackles. He has 10 tackles for minus 48 yards and four sacks.
PK Luke Phillips- On the initial Lou Groza watch list for a second straight season, Phillips is OSU's third-leading scorer with 65 points. He has connected on 47 of 48 extra points and is six of nine in field goals. His long field goal in 2002 has been from 46 yards out. Phillips is three of three between 30 and 39 yards.
TB Tatum Bell- Has had a strong second half in 2002 and is one of the best backs in the Big 12 Conference. He has rushed for 100 or more yards in four of the last five games. He is OSU's leading rusher with 830 yards and is number six in the Big 12 this week.
KR Chris Massey- Still one of the most dangerous kick returners in the country, Massey is fifth in the Big 12 and 38th nationally in kickoff returns going into this week. He has 18 returns for 420 yards, an average of 23.3 yard per return and a long of 46 yards.
P Cole Farden- Won Oklahoma State's punting chores and has been outstanding. After 11 games, Farden is averaging 42.2 yards on 50 punts. He has not had a punt blocked, killed 13 of his punts inside the 20 and sailed six more for touchbacks. Farden is 26th nationally in punting this week.
QB Josh Fields- OSU's record setting sophomore quarterback is certainly deserving of All Big 12 honors in 2002. Through 11 games he has completed 187 of 341 passes for 2,478 yards and 25 touchdowns. Both his yards and touchdowns are single-season Oklahoma State records.
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 tackle. OSU's ground game, which is averaging 144 yards per game, has been more effective in 2002 because of the work of Mayes and his O-line teammates.
More on Kevin Williams
Through 11 games, Williams is number four on the Cowboy defense in total tackles and he is tops among defensive linemen. His 11 game totals include 42 solo tackles and 10 assists. He also has 10 tackles for minus 48 yards, including four sacks for minus 34 yards. He has registered double-digit tackle performances against both Texas and Nebraska.
Craig Tops Defense in Tackles....Climbing Career Chart
Junior safety Elbert Craig tops the Cowboy defense in total tackles after 11 regular season games. Craig leads the team in unassisted tackles (47) and in assisted tackles (26). His 11-game total of 73 tackles is three more than linebacker Paul Duren who has 70. Craig had 81 tackles as a freshman in 2000 and 98 as a junior a year ago. His 252 career tackles puts him number 20 on OSU's career tackle list, three behind Rodney Harding.
For Starters
Oklahoma State has had several players start every game of the 2002 season. In fact, 11 (five on offense and six on defense) have drawn starting duty in all 11 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) Chris Massey (WS) and Elbert Craig (S), have started all 11.
Kyle Eaton Awarded Prestigious Scholarship
OSU offensive lineman Kyle Eaton was named a 2002 College Football National Scholar-Athlete last week by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. It is the most prestigious academic honor in college football, and recognizes OSU's starting left tackle for incredible accomplishment in the classroom. Only 14 student-athletes from every division of college football were recognized with this honor, and Eaton is one of just six from Division I-A. All 14 will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and will be recognized at the College Football Hall of Fame dinner at New York's Waldorf-Astoria on Dec. 12. One of the 14 will be awarded the HealthSouth Draddy Trophy as the top scholar-athlete in the nation, increasing the scholarship to $25,000.
Eaton, Bajema, Wohlgemuth Earn Academic Honors
Three Oklahoma State players were named to the 2002 Verizon Academic District team. Kyle Eaton, Billy Bajema and John Wohlgemuth were all first-team selections on the elite list, and OSU had more first-team selections than any school in the district. All three will now appear on the national ballot to determine Academic All-America status.
Points and More Points
Oklahoma State's 63-point explosion against Baylor last week represented the most points scored by a Cowboy team since 1988 when the Pokes duplicated that 63 in a win over Kansas. In addition, the 49 points scored by OSU in the first half was the most scored in any half since 56 against Southern Illinois in 1973.
More on the Offense
Oklahoma State's 63 points against Baylor also represented the third time this season the Cowboys have scored 50 or more. That hasn't happened since OSU's record-setting offense of 1988. In fact, since 1988 Oklahoma State has scored 50 or more points twice....an even 50 against Baylor in 2000 and 50 in an overtime loss to Missouri in 1997. This season, the Cowboys scored 63 vs. Baylor, 55 against Kansas and 52 vs. SMU. In 1988, Barry Sanders, Mike Gundy, Hart Lee Dykes and Co., had five games with 50 or more points.
