Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Prepares For Texas Tech
November 04, 2002 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 4, 2002
Oklahoma State Cowboys [4-4, 2-2]
vs.
Texas Tech Red Raiders [6-4, 3-2]
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002 * 1 p.m. [CST]
Jones/SBC Stadium [50,000] * Lubbock, Texas
radio - Cowboy Radio Network; internet broadcast - okstate.com
TV - none
Complete Release in PDF Format
Depth Chart vs. Texas Tech in PDF Format
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Cowboys Face Texas Tech in Lubbock
After two weeks at home sandwiched around an open date, Oklahoma State returns to the Big 12 road this week as the Cowboys travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech. Kickoff at Tech's Jones SBC Stadium (50,000) is set for 1 p.m. It's the start of a two-game road swing that will also carry the Pokes to Lawrence, Kan., for the final regular-season game away from Lewis Field on Nov. 16.
Records and Rankings
Oklahoma State will head for Lubbock with an overall record of 4-4 and a Big 12 Conference mark of 2-2. Texas Tech, playing the middle game of a three-week home stand, heads into this week's action with an overall record of 6-4 and a Big 12 mark of 3-2. The Cowboys warmed up for their trip to Lubbock with a 28-23 win over Texas A&M on Lewis Field on Saturday. While the Cowboys were winning at home, Texas Tech was handing Baylor a 62-11 loss in Lubbock. Neither team is ranked in top 25 polls this week.
Back-to-Back Wins Spell Momentum for Pokes
Oklahoma State ended October on a high, and extended that peak through the first week of November. Back-to-back wins over Nebraska and Texas A&M have put OSU's preseason goal of being bowl eligible clearly in focus. While no one is counting un-hatched chickens, OSU enters the final one-third of the 2002 regular season with more momentum than any OSU squad since 1997, when the Cowboys went into the second week of November with a 6-2 record.
Three Straight Would be Nice
If Oklahoma State can come home from Lubbock Saturday with a win, it would be the Cowboys' third-straight conference victory. The last time that happened was 1997, when OSU defeated Iowa State in the season opener, then defeated Texas and Colorado in early October. Oklahoma State actually won four-straight league games when you add the 1996 season-ending win over Baylor.
Speaking of Monkeys
Head Coach Les Miles said after Saturday's win over Texas A&M he was having a hard time finding monkeys crawling off the Cowboys' backs. "I want you to know something," Miles said. "We keep looking for monkeys. I'm certain that people have that perspective, but we're playing for today. We're playing for next week. We're playing for this football team." This week, however, O-State faces another team they have not enjoyed much success over in recent memory. Since 1989, Texas Tech has won six of the seven games played between the two schools. OSU's lone win in that stretch came on Lewis Field in 1999 by a 41-21 margin.
OSU on the Road
Oklahoma State will depart for Lubbock, via air charter, early Friday afternoon. The Cowboys will stage a brief walk-through at Jones SBC Stadium upon arrival. In Lubbock, the Cowboys will stay at the Holiday Inn and Towers. OSU will depart for Stillwater approximately one hour after Saturday's game.
The OSU-Texas Tech Matchup
Most of the attention will likely go to Texas Tech's offense, which is third in the country in passing and fifth in the league in total offense. Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury is second in the NCAA in total offense and 21st in passing efficiency. On the other side, Oklahoma State is 85th in the country against the pass and 83rd in total defense. The numbers, however, don't tell the entire story. The Cowboy defense has given up some yards, but has been tough as nails in the clutch, including the last two games when the defense turned away Nebraska and Texas A&M on what could have been game-winning drives late in the fourth quarter. The other side of the statistical equation this week has an Oklahoma State passing game averaging 225 yards per game and ranked 56th in the country, going against Texas Tech's pass defense that is 75th nationally and allowing 228.4 yards per game.
OSU-Texas Tech ... Remember 1988
Eight years before the two schools would join each other in the Big 12 Conference, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the same 747 jet to square off in the Tokyo Dome in what was then called the Coca-Cola Bowl. The trip was a memorable one for OSU. Tailback Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy from a news bureau in downtown Tokyo and just a few hours later, took the field against Texas Tech. The game lasted more than 3-1/2 hours and featured 12 touchdowns and one field goal. Sanders rushed for 332 yards and saw the endzone four times. Hart Lee Dykes caught nine Mike Gundy passes for 112 yards and two TDs. When the smoke had cleared, OSU claimed a 45-42 win.
Turning the Corner
There is no doubt that Oklahoma State's football fortunes took an upward turn when Les Miles was named head coach in December of 2000. After wins over Nebraska and Texas A&M, the proof is beginning to be seen in the numbers. From the beginning of the 1998 season through the ninth game of the 2001 season, Oklahoma State managed only 15 victories in 42 outings, a .357 winning percentage. From game 10 of last season through game eight of this season, the tide has turned. Oklahoma State has won six of its last 10, and accomplished things few other OSU teams have accomplished.
OSU's Last 10
Nov. 17, 2001 at Baylor W 38-32
Nov. 24, 2001 at Oklahoma W 16-13
Aug. 31, 2002 at La Tech L 36-39
Sep. 7, 2002 Northern Iowa W 45-10
Sep. 14, 2002 UCLA L 24-38
Sep. 21, 2002 SMU W 52-16
Oct. 5, 2002 at Texas L 15-17
Oct. 12, 2002 at Kansas State L 9-44
Oct. 19, 2002 Nebraska W 24-21
Nov. 2, 2002 Texas A&M W 28-23
Down the Stretch
What's at stake for the Cowboys as they enter the final four games of the regular season? You do the math. After eight games in 2002, O-State is 4-4 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play. The Cowboys' win over Texas A&M last week vaulted them over the Aggies in the South Division standings and sets up this week's game between the 2-2 (fourth place) Cowboys and the 3-2 (third place) Red Raiders. With four games to play, Oklahoma State needs two wins to become bowl eligible.
Looking For a Big 12 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 nine games, Miles has led the Cowboys to victories over Texas A&M, Nebraska and Oklahoma, and extended now fourth-ranked Texas before falling, 17-15, in Austin.
Bowl Stuff
With seven bowls having Big 12 ties in 2002 (other than BCS bowls), five league schools (Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Iowa State and Kansas State) are already bowl eligible. Texas Tech, Nebraska and Texas A&M are one win away from bowl eligibility, and Oklahoma State and Missouri are two wins away from that mark. Bowls with Big 12 affiliations in 2002 include the SBC Cotton Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Alamo Bowl, MainStay Independence Bowl, Houston Bowl, Tangerine Bowl and Humanitarian Bowl.
OSU Schedule Tough
According to the NCAA's web site, Oklahoma State's schedule is the 49th-toughest in the country, based on cumulative records of each I-A opponent. Based on just future opposition, Oklahoma State's schedule is ranked the 50th toughest this week. Seven of OSU's 12 regular-season opponents have winning records going into this week, and three (Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas State) are ranked among the nation's top 12.
Cowboys Last Week
Oklahoma State evened its 2002 record at 4-4 with a 28-23 win over Texas A&M on Lewis Field. The game was significant for O-State. It was the Cowboys' second-straight league win, leveling their Big 12 mark at 2-2. It also snapped a six-game losing streak against the Aggies. Just like three weekends ago against Nebraska, Oklahoma State's heroes were many. Tailback Tatum Bell rushed for 145 yards on 25 carries and scored three touchdowns, all in the first half. Wide Receiver Rashaun Woods caught seven passes for 79 yards. John Lewis caught five passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Josh Fields completed 17-of-32 passes for 216 yards and a TD. Cornerback Vernon Grant registered eight tackles and three pass deflections, and had the game-saving interception with one minute to play in the endzone. Defensive back Chris Massey deflected the last-minute pass into Grant's arms, and the Spiro senior also had four kickoff returns for 100 yards. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams had six tackles, including one sack and two others behind the line. Defensive end Greg Richmond and nose guard LaWaylon Brown also had quarterback sacks to their credit.
OSU Offense Last Week
Efficient is certainly one way to describe the Oklahoma State offense against Texas A&M. The Cowboys had the ball just over 29 minutes, running 70 offensive plays and averaging an even five yards per play. The Pokes had 135 yards on the ground and 216 through the air. Six different receivers had at least one reception with Rashaun Woods, John Lewis and Terrance Davis-Bryant combining for 14 catches and 188 yards.
OSU Defense Last Week
Simply stated, Oklahoma State's defense closed the deal in Saturday's five-point win over Texas A&M. Oklahoma State limited Texas A&M to just 71 rushing yards and while the Aggies did pass for 332 yards and a pair of touchdowns, the OSU defense rose to the occasion when it counted most. That time came on A&M's final drive of the game when Aggie quarterback Dustin Long threw a pass 31 yards into the endzone where Chris Massey deflected the ball into the waiting arms of OSU cornerback Vernon Grant.
Add Kevin Williams to Your All-America Watch List
Has there been a more dominating defensive tackle in the country than Oklahoma State's Kevin Williams? OSU's senior from Fordyce, Ark., added to his list of dominating 2002 performances last week 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 Kevin Williams
Through eight games, Williams is fourth on the Cowboy defense in total tackles and he is tops among defensive linemen. His eight-game totals include 34 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.
Charting K-Dub
Opponent Tackles For Loss SacksLouisiana Tech 2 0-0 0-0
Northern Iowa 2 0-0 0-0
UCLA 7 0-0 0-0
SMU 3 0-0 0-0
Texas 10 2-4 0-0
Kansas State 3 1-2 0-0
Nebraska 10 2-13 1-8
Texas A&M 6 3-12 1-9
2002 Totals 43 8-31 2-17
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 five games, dating back to the Texas game at Austin, Williams has been credited with 29 tackles, all eight of his tackles behind the line and both quarterback sacks.
Bell Rushes for 100, Again
Tailback Tatum Bell continued his second half of the season surge with another 100-yard rushing effort against Texas A&M. 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. Bell now owns four of OSU's last five 100-yard rushing performances, including two this season and two in 2001.
Tatum's Top Days
Game Car-Yds-TD2002 vs. Nebraska 33-182-0
2002 vs. Texas A&M 25-145-2
2001 vs. Missouri 32-117-1
2001 vs. La Tech 20-109-1
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 this 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 four games - Texas, Kansas State, Nebraska and Texas A&M - Bell has carried the ball 78 times for 447 yards and four touchdowns. Through those four games, Bell has averaged 111.8 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry.
Grant Comes Up Big
True freshman cornerback Vernon Grant was a difference maker in OSU's 28-23 win over Texas A&M. He was OSU's nominee for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after an eight-tackle, three PBU, one interception performance against the Aggies. Grant has been one of the highlights in the OSU secondary in 2002. Through eight games, he has 33 total tackles, one tackle for minus-two yards, an interception and three pass deflections. In the last three games, Grant has been credited with nine tackles vs. Kansas State, four vs. Nebraska and eight vs. Texas A&M.
Duren Makes an Impact
Redshirt freshman linebacker Paul Duren has been solid, if not spectacular, for the Cowboy defense in 2002. Duren, from Del City, has started all eight games for the Cowboys at linebacker, and will go into this week's game at Texas Tech the third-best tackler on the team. His eight-game numbers include 26 solo stops and 19 assists. Duren also has one tackle for minus-one yard, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Duren had a season-high nine tackles Saturday against Texas A&M, and had seven tackles in performances against UCLA, Texas and Kansas State.
The Good News
Oklahoma State's defense is not only playing well eight games into the 2002 season, many will return in 2003. Seven of OSU's top 11 tackle leaders after eight games will be back in 2003.
Woods Named Biletnikoff Semifinalist
Wide Receiver Rashaun Woods was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given 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, Iowa State's Lane Danielsen, Florida's Taylor Jacobs, Illinois' Brandon Loyd, Arizona State's Shaun McDonald, Michigan State's Charles Rogers, Purdue's John Standeford, San Diego State's Greg Tolver 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. Below are where they stand with active players in bold.
Big 12 Receiving Yards
1. Justin Gage, Missouri (Sr.) 2,4372. Aaron Lockett, K-State 2,389
3. Reggie Newhouse, Baylor (Sr.) 2,292
4. Kwame Cavil, Texas 2,279
5. Rashaun Woods, OSU (Jr.) 2,241
6. Roy Williams, Texas (Jr.) 2,203
Big 12 Receptions
1. Justin Gage, Missouri (Sr.) 1822. Kwame Cavil, Texas 174
3. Rashaun Woods, OSU (Jr.) 173
4. Ricky Williams, Texas 165
5. Reggie Newhouse, Baylor (Sr.) 164
6. Roy Williams, Texas (Jr.) 145
The Beat Goes On
Woods' seven receptions against Texas A&M extended his streak to 26-consecutive games in which he has at least two receptions. He has had at least four receptions in 19-straight contests. Woods' 11 receptions against Nebraska two weekends ago was a career high. He has had 10 receptions in four other games, including the 2002 season opener against Louisiana Tech. The Nebraska game was the fourth 100-plus yard game of the season for Woods and the ninth of his Oklahoma State career.
Where He Stands
Going into the ninth week of the season, Rashaun Woods continues to lead the Big 12 Conference in receptions per game with an 8.00 average. He also tops the league in receiving yards with 111.1 per game, and he has more total receiving yards than any other receiver in the Big 12 Conference. Woods in seventh in the Big 12 in all-purpose yards. In this week's NCAA statistics, Woods is fourth in receptions per game and fifth in receiving yards per game.
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.
Fields Tops 200, Again
Sophomore quarterback Josh Fields added another 200-yard passing performance to his short OSU resum?. In the 28-23 win over Texas A&M last Saturday, Fields completed 17-of-32 attempts for 216 yards and one touchdown. It was the fourth 200-yard performance of the season for Fields, who had a career-high 291 yards against UCLA. It was the fifth 200-yard performance of his OSU career.
Fields Among Big 12 Leaders
Sophomore quarterback Josh Fields continues to get the job done for the Cowboys and is among Big 12 leaders in several categories. Through eight games, the Stillwater product has completed 141-of-261 passes for 1,624 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is fifth in the Big 12 in passing, averaging 17.63 completions per game. Fields is eighth in the Big 12 in total offense, averaging 194.5 yards per game. Fields' 1,624 passing yards through eight games already represents the seventh-best single-season effort in OSU history. With four games to play in 2002, Fields is within distance of Mike Gundy's all-time sophomore record at OSU. As a sophomore in 1987, Gundy passed for 2,106 yards. Fields needs 483 yards to break that mark.
Craig Still on Thorpe Watch List
Junior safety Elbert Craig is still on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, going annually to the best defensive back in the country. For his part, Craig is turning in a very solid season. Against Nebraska on Oct. 19, Craig tied Kevin Williams for the team lead in tackles with 10. All 10 of Craig's stops vs. Nebraska were of the solo variety. Through eight games, Craig leads the OSU defense with 54 total tackles. He has 33 solo stops and 21 assists. He also has two interceptions, nine passes broken up and a fumble recovery.
Cowboy Kicker on Groza List
Another Cowboy junior on an award watch is kicker Luke Phillips, named to the Lou Groza Award list. Through eight games, Phillips is OSU's leading scorer with 43 points. He is 5-of-7 in the field-goal category with his long coming from 46 yards out. He is 28-of-29 on extra points, the only unsuccessful PAT attempt of his career coming at Texas earlier this season.
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 23 receptions for 338 yards and four touchdowns. Terrance Davis-Bryant is just behind Lewis with 20 catches for 192 yards.
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 eight State 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 seven.
Robinson A Leader On and Off the Field
Senior linebacker Terrence Robinson was labeled a leader well before he was named a co-captain of the 2002 Cowboys. Robinson was one of a select few student-athletes across the country to participate in an NCAA leadership conference over the summer. Robinson will call the signals for the Cowboy defense this fall from his middle linebacker spot, and he will be looking to make his senior season a special one. His 2001 numbers represented a career high. Robinson was credited with 75 total tackles (third-most on the defense) and he had 10 tackles for losses. He had multiple tackles behind the line in games against Southern Miss, Iowa State and Oklahoma. His 11 tackles against Missouri on Lewis Field was a season and career high. Through eight games in 2002, Robinson has 39 total tackles, two tackles for losses, an interception and two pass breakups.
Darrent Williams Does it Again
OSU's Sophomore defensive back continues to make plays. Against Kansas State earlier this season he not only contributed in the tackle column but in the scoring column. He picked up a blocked PAT and returned it 90 yards for OSU's final two points. He has been coming up big most of the 2002 season. Williams was a big part of the Cowboys' 45-10 win over Northern Iowa. In fact, it was a scene Cowboy fans have become very familiar with over the past two seasons. With the game tied at seven, Northern Iowa faced a second and eight from its own 24. Darrent Williams picked off Griff Jurgens pass and returned it 29 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. At that point, it was Williams third-career interception and his third-career interception returned for a touchdown. Williams picked off a pair of passes against Baylor last year in Waco and returned them both for touchdowns. Williams added another interception in the Northern Iowa game, but the Panthers kept him out of the endzone. Williams has been effective throughout OSU's first five games. D. Williams season totals now stand at 28 total tackles, two interceptions and a team-leading seven passes broken up.
Scouting Texas Tech
Texas Tech (6-4 overall, 3-2 Big 12) enters Saturday's contest fresh off a 62-11 win over Baylor last weekend in Lubbock. For the offensive-minded Red Raiders, the game marked the sixth time this season they have gone over the 40-point mark. Tech owns non-conference wins this year over SMU, Mississippi and New Mexico to go against losses to a pair of nationally-ranked foes, Ohio State and North Carolina State. In Big 12 play, the Red Raiders opened with a 48-47 overtime win at Texas A&M before defeating Missouri. Tech's conference losses have come away from Jones/SBC Stadium, falling at Iowa State and Colorado.
Coach Mike Leach
In his third season as head coach at Texas Tech, Mike Leach has compiled a career record of 20-15, and is the first coach in school history to lead his first two teams to bowl games. Last season, Leach directed the Red Raiders to a 7-5 record and a berth in the Alamo Bowl after guiding Tech to a 7-6 mark and an appearance in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl in 2000. Leach's coaching career has also included stops at Oklahoma and Kentucky as offensive coordinator, as well as a stint in Pori, Finland, where he worked as a head coach in the European Football League.
OSU-Texas Tech Series ... Tech Leads 17-9-3
Saturday's meeting will mark the 30th time overall OSU and Tech have met on the gridiron. The two squads have hooked up 13 times in Lubbock, with the Red Raiders prevailing in eight of those contests, including a 58-0 triumph in the last meeting in 2000. The Cowboys last victory in the series came during the 1999 campaign, a 41-21 win in Stillwater. Since the inception of Big 12 play, Tech has posted a 5-1 mark in the series.
