Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys host Sooners in Bedlam Battle
October 25, 2004 | Cowboy Football
Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-1) vs.
Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0)
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004 • 11 a.m. [CDT]
Boone Pickens Stadium [47,800] • Stillwater, Okla.
Cowboys Host 99th Intrastate Battle
It will be the 99th edition of Bedlam football when Oklahoma State entertains its in-state rival Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium. Kickoff is set for just after 11 a.m. in a game that will be broadcast regionally by ABC. Oklahoma State will go into Saturday’s game with an overall record of 6-1 and a Big 12 Conference mark of 3-1. Oklahoma comes to Stillwater with an overall record of 7-0 and a perfect Big 12 Conference record of 4-0.
Historic Comeback Gets Pokes to Six
Oklahoma State’s ride to a 6-1 season record took an amazing twist Saturday afternoon in Columbia. The Cowboys trailed Missouri 17-0 late in the second quarter and the partisan Mizzou fans smelled a win. O-State started to reverse its fortunes with an eight-play, 80-yard drive for a touchdown just before the half, and outscored the Tigers, 13-0, in the second half for a 20-17 win. The comeback was OSU’s most dramatic since 1979 when the Cowboys erased a 20-0 Colorado lead for a 21-20 win. The Pokes also came from 17 points down, 17-0, to Iowa State in 1996 before pulling out a 28-27 victory.
After Seven
Oklahoma State’s 6-1 record heading into week No. 8 of the 2004 regular season is significant. The Cowboys have mystified preseason prognosticators by rolling through three Big 12 North Division opponents, going unbeaten through three on the road, and headed for a late October showdown with in-state rival Oklahoma. 2004 marks the 10th time since 1932 that Oklahoma State has had a similar record after the first seven regular-season games.
Cowboys-Sooners, Briefly
Saturday’s game will be the 99th all-time between OSU and OU, with the Sooners owning a commanding lead in the series. The teams have met 45 times previously in Stillwater, with Oklahoma owning a 34-6-5 advantage, although the Cowboys have won two of the last three on their home turf. The two teams are among the nation’s best in several statistical categories. Oklahoma State is fourth in the country in rushing while Oklahoma is 14th. The teams are tied for 17th in the nation in scoring offense. Oklahoma is fifth in the NCAA in rushing defense and the Cowboys are fourth in the country in turnover margin.
National Rankings: Cowboys Move Up
Oklahoma State’s 20-17 win over Missouri Saturday afternoon resulted in a one spot jump for the Cowboys in this week’s USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. O-State will go into Saturday’s game against Oklahoma ranked No. 20. The Cowboys are tied for 20th in this week’s Associated Press poll. Oklahoma, meanwhile, is ranked No. 2 this week in both the Coaches and the AP poll.
Don’t Forget the Walk
One of the great gameday traditions at Oklahoma State is when the Cowboys walk from the Atherton Hotel at the Student Union to Boone Pickens Stadium. This week, the walk will begin at 8:45 a.m., and fans are encouraged to line Hester Street to greet the Pokes.
Why Is It Called Bedlam?
While it’s not certain that anyone knows for sure, legend has it that the term was penned after a wrestling match decades ago. Others claim it could have come from spirited and vigorous track and field competition between the two schools in 1900, 1901 and 1902, the year the famed Douglas Cup was alledgedly stolen and taken 90 miles south of Stillwater. However the term originated, its definition certainly applies to competition today between the two state rivals.
1904 — Probably the strangest game ever played in the series. At Guthrie, an Oklahoma halfback literally swam for a touchdown in the flooded waters of Cottonwood Creek. Guthrie’s Oklahoma State Capitol reported it like this: “With the ball six inches from the goal, Captain Callahan of the Stillwater team attempted to punt. The pigskin went straight up in the air and the wind wafted the ball back south. The scrimmage for it began on the bank of the Cottonwood and Mathews plunged in after it. Cook finally secured it after a 10 yard swim.”
1983 — A seemingly certain Oklahoma State victory turned into defeat when Oklahoma’s on-side kick caromed off Chris Rocking’s helmet and into the arms of a waiting Sooner. Oklahoma, which had trailed 20-3, won the game on a 46-yard Tim Lashar field goal with 1:14 remaining.
1984 — Arguably the biggest of all bedlam games. No. 3/2 Oklahoma State visited No. 2/3 Oklahoma to decide who would represent the Big Eight in the Orange Bowl. The game was tied 7-7 at the half, and OSU led 14-7 in the third quarter before OU scored 17 unanswered points for a 24-14 win.
1985 — After much grumbling about a nighttime kickoff in November, nightmares came true when freezing rain and sleet covered the field before halftime. While Thurman Thomas would rush for 100 yards (the only back to rush for 100 vs. Oklahoma in 1985), Oklahoma won the game, 13-0.
2001 — In head coach Les Miles’ first OSU season, the unranked Cowboys planted a 16-13 loss on fourth-ranked Oklahoma in Norman. Freshman quarterback Josh Fields tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Rashaun Woods with 1:36 left in the game for the win.
Bedlam Sellout: Cowboys Setting Attendance Records
Saturday’s game between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma has been sold out for some time, and the 49,000-plus that will jam into Boone Pickens Stadium will push OSU’s season average attendance even higher. Oklahoma State had its highest attendance of the home season two weeks ago when nearly 48,000 packed Boone Pickens Stadium on homecoming. Through four home games of 2004, the Cowboys have drawn 189,634 fans for an average of 47,408 per game. The Cowboys’ surge in attendance is also reflected in a record number of 38,674 season tickets in 2004.
OSU-OU, On the Air
For the fourth time this season, Oklahoma State is set to appear on ABC. Saturday’s game between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma will be televised regionally by ABC, and will kick off shortly after 11 a.m. (CDT). The Cowboys are 3-0 on ABC this season. Keith Jackson, Dan Fouts and Todd Harris will describe the action. The game will also be broadcast live on the Cowboy Radio Network with Dave Hunziker, Tom Dirato and Robert Allen calling the game. The network broadcast begins one hour before kickoff. The Oklahoma State Radio Network is a property of Host Communications, Lexington, Ky. The game broadcast can be heard across the state of Oklahoma on more than 30 radio stations.
Another ABC Appearance
Okahoma State’s game vs. Oklahoma Saturday afternoon will mark the Cowboys’ fourth appearance on ABC in 2004, and the schools’ eighth ABC slot over the past two seasons. The Cowboys went from 1986 through 1996 without appearing on the network, but have 13 appearances since 1997.
OSU also Welcomes ESPN’s College Game Day
ESPN’s College Game Day crew will pay a visit to Stillwater and Boone Pickens Stadium this week. It’s the first time the Game Day crew has been in Stillwater, and they will set up shop south of Boone Pickens Stadium beginning Friday afternoon. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso will arrive in Stillwater Friday afternoon.
Another Road Win
Oklahoma State’s win at Missouri on Saturday not only snapped a four-game losing streak to the Tigers, it was the Cowboys’ third-straight win in 2004 away from Boone Pickens Stadium, and fourth-straight winning effort on the road dating back to a 38-21 win at Baylor in 2003. Over the past two seasons, Oklahoma State is now 6-2 away from home.
Reviewing the Missouri Game
Oklahoma State scored 20 unanswered points, and shut down a very good Missouri offense in the second half as the Cowboys rallied for a 20-17 win at Faurot Field in Columbia. After Missouri had put 17 points on the board to open a 17-0 lead, Oklahoma State fashioned a late second-quarter drive, including Donovan Woods connecting with D’Juan Woods for a 12-yard touchdown just before halftime. Down 17-7 but with new momentum, Oklahoma State held the Tigers to just 87 total yards in the second half. While the OSU defense was shutting down the Tigers, the OSU offense was coming to life. Freshman kicker Jason Ricks hit a 27-yard field goal to cut the lead to 17-10 at the 7:30 mark of the third quarter. The Cowboys tied the game at the 11:36 mark of the fourth quarter on a 34-yard run by quarterback Donovan Woods. The game winner came off the foot of Ricks on a 28-yard field goal with just 55 seconds to play. Oklahoma State’s heroes were many and included Donovan Woods, who passed for 110 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 71 yards and another touchdown. Tailback Vernand Morency rushed for 173 yards on 31 carries. On the defensive side, Jamie Thompson had nine tackles and a quarterback sack.
More on OSU-Mizzou
• Oklahoma State’s rally from a 17-point deficit ties for the biggest since 1979 when the Cowboys rallied from a 20-0 deficit against Colorado for a 21-20 win. OSU trailed Iowa State, 17-0, in 1996 before defeating the Cyclones, 28-27.
• Tailback Vernand Morency went over the 100-yard mark for the seventh time this season and ninth-straight regular-season game. He failed to score a touchdown, breaking a streak of nine-straight games with at least one TD.
• OSU’s win Saturday afternoon snapped a four-game losing streak at Missouri. It was also Oklahoma State’s third win vs. teams from the Big 12 North in 2004.
Head Coach Les Miles
Oklahoma State’s Les Miles is seven games into his fourth season and once again has the Cowboys in Big 12 Conference title contention and rolling toward a third-straight postseason appearance. Miles and his Cowboys are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, and he will carry a career record of 27-17 into the game against Oklahoma. Miles, OSU’s offensive coordinator from 1995-97, returned to Stillwater prior to the 2001 season and has clearly reordered the landscape of Cowboy Football. The former Michigan offensive lineman has the OSU program firmly planted on a nationally competitive foundation. He has guided the Cowboys to back-to-back bowl games, including the school’s first New Year’s Day bowl since the late 1940s. Under Miles, the Cowboys have won 21 of 37 games, and seven of those 16 losses came in his first season. Miles, the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year in 2002, has built the Cowboys into winners without compromising integrity in the classroom. OSU had 100 percent graduation of its senior class a year ago, and an overall grade point average higher than the regular student-body average.
South Power
One look at the Big 12 Conference standing after week seven of the 2004 season reveals a power surge in the South and a tight race heading down the stretch. Oklahoma will come to Boone Pickens Stadium this week with a perfect overall mark of 7-0 and a perfect league record of 4-0. Texas A&M is also 4-0 in league play. Oklahoma State and Texas are both at 3-1 in the league, with Texas Tech at 2-2. Each remaining game of the 2004 regular season is pivotal in the race for the south title.
Cowboys Still Taking, Not Giving Away
This week’s game against Oklahoma will feature two teams who like to take, but don’t give much. The Cowboys have been among the top four in the country in turnover margin all season, and are fourth this week as well. Oklahoma State has recovered 11 fumbles and picked off seven passes for a total gain of 18 turnovers. The Cowboys have lost only three fumbles and thrown just three interceptions. Oklahoma, on the other hand, is No. 12 nationally, losing eight turnovers while gaining 16. The Cowboys are tied for second in the country in fumbles recovered along with Oklahoma, Idaho, Miami (Fla.), New Mexico, Notre Dame, Washington State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Thompson Comes Up Big at Missouri
Oklahoma State safety Jamie Thompson is turning in a spectacular season for Bill Clay’s defense in 2004. Against Missouri on Saturday, Thompson was credited with four primary tackles and six assists and also had a quarterback sack for minus-18 yards. The week before against Texas A&M, Thompson had the best statistical night of his Cowboy career with 12 tackles. Thompson was credited with 11 primary stops and one assist. Through seven games of the 2004 season, the Sparr, Fla., junior leads the Oklahoma State defense with 49 total tackles. Thompson’s defensive line for the season includes 38 primary tackles, 11 assisted stops, three QB sacks for minus 31 yards, two pass deflections, and an interception. Thompson also has a team-best three forced fumbles.
Cowboys Rushing with Authority
Seven games into the 2004 season, Oklahoma State continues to rank among national leaders in rushing offense. Saturday at Missouri, the Cowboys had 46 total rushing attempts for 278 net yards. It was the third-highest rushing total for the Cowboys this season. For the year, Oklahoma State has rushed the football 378 times for 1,886 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Cowboys are averaging 269.4 yards per game and 4.9 yards per rush. O-State’s season high came in the season opener at UCLA, where the Cowboys amassed 426 yards on 67 carries. OSU has gone over the 200-yard mark in five of its first seven games.
Efficiency in Passing Game
Oklahoma State quarterback Donovan Woods completed seven of 13 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ win at Missouri last Saturday. While Woods’ attempts and completions don’t meet the national minimum to be ranked, the OSU passing game is one of the more efficient in the country. Through seven games, Woods has completed 48 of 91 passes for 836 yards and nine touchdowns. His efficiency rating is 155.96. As a team, Oklahoma State is first in the Big 12 and No. 9 nationally in passing efficiency. This week’s opponent is No. 10 in passing efficiency.
Steady Morency Adds Another 100-yard Game to Resumé
Junior tailback Vernand Morency continues to prove on the field he is one of the best backs in the country. After having just nine carries for 54 yards at halftime against Missouri, Morency exploded for 119 second-half yards to finish with 173 net yards on 31 carries. In 2004, V-Mo has now rushed for 100 or more yards in all seven games and in nine straight regular-season games dating back to the final two of the 2003 season. Ahead of this week’s game against Oklahoma, Morency has 190 carries for 1,153 yards and that represents the 11th-best single-season rushing performance in Oklahoma State football history.
Joining the 1,000-Yard Club
Morency’s 173 yards in the winning effort at Missouri also pushed his season total past the 1,000 yard mark. The Cowboy junior becomes the 15th player to record a single season rushing total of 1,000 or more yards. Oklahoma State has now had 15 previous 1,000-yard rushing seasons by 10 different players. Tatum Bell, now of the Denver Broncos, just recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for Oklahoma State. Terry Miller had three 1,000-yard seasons, Thurman Thomas had two, as did David Thompson.
Morency the Model of Consistency
Over the last 10 games (the final three in 2003 and the first seven in 2004), OSU’s Vernand Morency has put up numbers that rival any in the country. Dating back to the Kansas game in 2003, Morency has 262 carries for 1,708 yards and 15 touchdowns. That’s a 10-game average of 170.8 yards per game, and a 6.5 yards-per-carry average. In addition, Morency’s rushing success has translated into team success for the Cowboys. The Cowboys are 8-2 over those last 10 games, including an 8-1 mark when Morency has rushed for 100 or more yards.
Morency No. 3 in NCAA
OSU’s talented tailback will go into this week’s game against Oklahoma ranked third nationally in rushing. Morency, who led the country two-straight weeks, is now third, but in a tight race with Jamario Thomas of North Texas and Texas’ Cedric Benson. If Morency can finish the season on top of the NCAA rushing chart, he will become OSU’s first national rushing champion since Gerald Hudson in 1990.
Farden Impressive on Kickoff Chores
Oklahoma State’s Cole Farden has proven to be one of the top punters in the Big 12, and he also continues to be one of of the most efficient in handling kickoff chores. Through seven games, Farden has kicked off 46 times with 30 of those going for touchbacks. In OSU’s win at Missouri last week, three of his five kickoffs went into or out of the endzone for touchbacks.
Red Zone Numbers
Oklahoma State’s offense continues to show it is effective when operating in the red zone. Through seven games and 31 possessions inside the opponent’s 20 yard line, the Cowboys have scored 29 times. Included among the red zone scoring are 24 touchdowns and five field goals. On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma State’s defense has allowed only 18 red zone penetrations with opposing offenses scoring on 12 of those.
