Oklahoma State University Athletics
Co-captain Ready for Last Game at Lewis Field
April 05, 2003 | Cowboy Football
by Chris Matthews
The offensive line was the biggest question mark on Oklahoma State's offense coming out of two-a-days. Six wins later and the prospects of bowling this Christmas has silenced the critics that watched the same unit get out played by their own defensive line in early August. Senior co-captain Jason Russell is a big part of the unit's success.
Russell has had the opportunity to watch Tatum Bell's dash into the endzone after a long run on a few occasions this season. ESPN used the Oklahoma State offensive line as an example of fundamentals after Bell scored on a 64-yard run against Texas A&M on Nov. 2. Seymore Shaw and Vernand Morrency each had 70+ yard runs against Louisiana Tech in the opener.
Oklahoma State leads the Big 12 in lowest number of sacks allowed. OSU quarterbacks have only been sacked a total of 13 times all season. Offensive linemen may not have their own personal stats to keep track of, but they are an integral part of the offensive success the Cowboys have enjoyed this season.
"Our goal this summer was to come out and be one of the best offensive lines this school has had," Russell said. "We are steadily working closer to that. We are coming along at the right time of the year; providing holes and protection. It has been something great."
The Putnam City native will suit up in a Cowboy uniform for the last time at Lewis Field when he lines up against Oklahoma. The Cowboys are 2-2 against their rivals from the south dating back to his redshirt season of 1998 and he would love nothing more than to finish his Oklahoma State career with a winning record against the Sooners.
"My last game is going to be emotional coming out with all these seniors," Russell said. "I have worked with some of these guys for the last five years and coming out in front of all the fans on Senior Day is going to be pretty emotional."
"It would be huge if we could pull out a win on Senior Day. I would have bragging rights over a couple of guys I know who go to school go down there. It would be good for the program as well. That is a sure sign that OSU is an up and coming program."
Russell has been through thick and thin with the Cowboy program since he first arrived on campus in 1998. He was recruited after the Cowboys reached the Alamo Bowl in 1997 and firmly believed that he would have the opportunity to go to a bowl every year since then. The Pokes are playing for their first bowl appearance since the 1997 trip to San Antonio.
A victory over Oklahoma would all but assure the Pokes first bowl since 1997. The only question left would be where the Cowboys want to spend their holidays.
"It has been a great run," Russell said. "I will miss all of these guys. They have been like brothers to me. It has just been awesome."
