Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Face Buffaloes In Boulder
October 06, 2004 | Cowboy Football
Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0) at
Colorado (3-1, 0-1)
Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004 • 2:30 p.m. [CDT]
Folsom Field [53,750] • Boulder, Colo.
Cowboys Face Road Test at Colorado
Oklahoma State hits the road for the first time since its season opener as the Cowboys travel to Boulder to face the upstart Colorado Buffaloes. Oklahoma State has won its last two regular-season road games, at Baylor in game 12 of the 2003 season and the ‘04 season opener at the Rose Bowl over UCLA. Oklahoma State is 4-0 on the season while Colorado is 3-1, suffering its first loss last week at Missouri. Kickoff at Colorado's Folsom Field is set for 2:30 p.m. (CDT).
Road Success
Oklahoma State's trip to Boulder this week is the Cowboys second road outing of the season, having won on the road in its season opener. The last four times Oklahoma State has ventured outside the state of Oklahoma to play, it has come home with a victory. Beginning with a late September win at SMU in 2004, the Cowboys are 4-1 in their last five road trips.
OSU, on the Road
Oklahoma State will depart for Denver via air charter late Friday morning from Oklahoma City. The Cowboys will hold a brief walk-through at Folsom Field on Friday afternoon (closed to the media) and headquarter at the Westin Hotel in Westminster, Colo. OSU will return to Oklahoma City and Stillwater immediately following Saturday's game. Oklahoma State players are not available to the media after Wednesday of each game week. Head Coach Les Miles will be briefly available at Folsom Field either just prior or just after Oklahoma State's walk-through. Please contact Steve Buzzard in the Athletic Media Relations Office for more details.
National Rankings: Cowboys Still Climbing
Oklahoma State's Big 12 win over Iowa State lifted the Cowboys to 4-0 on the season and also paved the way for a jump to No. 21 in this week's USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll. OSU is ranked 22nd in the latest Associated Press poll. The Cowboys broke into the national rankings three weeks ago at No. 25 and moved up to 24th in the Coaches poll after their open date. The 21st ranking is the highest since a similar ranking ahead of last January's Cotton Bowl against Mississippi. Last year, Oklahoma State ranked as high as 14th in the polls.
OSU-Colorado, Briefly
Oklahoma State's first Big 12 road test of the year will come against a Colorado team that is off to a 3-1 start and has spent the first month of the season silencing preseason critics. The Buffs won their first three (Colorado State, Washington State and North Texas) before losing at Missouri on Saturday. Colorado is 2-0 at home in 2004 while the Cowboys are 1-0 on the road. Saturday will mark the 43rd meeting between Oklahoma State and Colorado, with CU owning a 24-17-1 series advantage. The teams last met in 2001 in Stillwater with Colorado taking a 22-19 victory. The last time the teams met in Boulder was 2000, when the Buffs recorded a 37-21 win.
Reviewing the Iowa State Game
Oklahoma State broke open a scoreless game with 23 second-quarter points as the Cowboys planted a 36-7 loss on Iowa State at Boone Pickens Stadium. In a game that featured a dominant OSU defense and spurts of productive offense, the Cowboys ran their season record to 4-0 and opened Big 12 Conference play successfully. Oklahoma State's second-quarter point explosion featured a pair of Jason Ricks field goals plus a touchdown run by quarterback Donovan Woods and a touchdown reception from Woods to brother D'Juan Woods. For the game, Oklahoma State had 189 yards on the ground and 160 through the air. The Cowboy defense limited Iowa State to just 59 net rushing yards and 160 passing yards. The Cyclones got on the scoreboard only once, on a third quarter touchdown pass, but Oklahoma State put the game away with a pair of late touchdowns by tailback Vernand Morency, who finished with yet another 100 yard rushing peformance.
More OSU-Iowa State Notes
• Oklahoma State's win over Iowa State snapped a two-game losing streak to the Cylcones and the Cowboys are now 23-16-3 vs Iowa State all-time.
• Tailback Vernand Morency scored a pair of touchdowns against Iowa State and has now scored at least one touchdown in seven straight games. Morency also went over the 100 yard rushing mark for a sixth straight time in regular-season action.
• Oklahoma State quarterback Donovan Woods threw his first-career interception, which was also the team's first of the season. Through four games this year, Oklahoma State has now gained 14 turnovers while losing just one.
• Freshman kicker Jason Ricks' three field goals against Iowa State represented a career high, including a career-long 39 yarder in the second quarter. He also missed his first field goal of the season and first extra point of the season.
• Defensive linemen Efe Mowarin and Nathan Peterson recorded their first career sacks in the win over Iowa State. Peterson had three sacks in the winning effort.
OSU-Colorado, On the Air
Oklahoma State's game at Colorado will be televised by ABC to a regional audience. It will be OSU's second ABC appearance of the season and sixth over the past two seasons. Gary Thorne, Ed Cunningham and Dr. Jerry Punch 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 plays. 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 Packed House
Oklahoma State's third home game of the 2004 season produced another packed house at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Cowboys drew nearly 48,000 for its league opener against Iowa State. In fact, the 47,554 fans which packed into Boone Pickens Stadium represented the largest crowd of the season, and the third-straight attendance figure of 46,000 or more. The Cowboys drew 47,307 for its season opener against Tulsa and had an announced crowd of 46,073 for SMU. That's a three game home average of 46,979 per game. The Cowboys' surge in attendance is also reflected in a record number of season tickets in 2004. Going into last week's game against Iowa State, 38,674 season tickets had been sold. That number tops the previous high of 35,142 established a year ago. The third-highest number of season tickets sold was 35,115 in 1985.
Still Perfect After Four
Oklahoma State's win over Iowa State last Saturday just counted as one, but gives the Cowboys a 4-0 record overall and a 1-0 start in Big 12 Conference play. It's the first 4-0 start since 1997, and the first 1-0 conference start since 1998, when the Cowboys defeated Kansas at Lawrence in the league opener.
Cowboys Commit First Turnover, No. 2 Nationally
The first-quarter interception against Iowa State was Oklahoma State's first turnover of the season, but the Cowboys still lead the Big 12 Conference and are ranked second nationally in turnover margin. Through four games, the Cowboys have gained 14 turnovers, 10 by fumble and four via interception, and have only given the ball away once. That's a margin of +3.25 and trails only Southern Miss, which has a +3.33 TO margin after three games.
Cowboy Ground Game Still Impressive
Much of Oklahoma State's success through the first four games of the 2004 season can be attributed to a rushing game that is holding the ball and churning out the yardage. Going into this week's game at Colorado, Oklahoma State's offense is No. 2 in the Big 12 and fourth in the NCAA in rushing. The Cowboys have 236 attempts for 1,190 net yards. That's a four game average of 297.5 yards per game and an average of more than five yards per carry. OSU trails only Texas, Rice and Minnesota on the national rushing chart. Oklahoma State's game-by-game rushing breakdown is below, but the Cowboys have at least 54 attempts in each game so far, and have scored no fewer than three rushing touchdowns in each game. As a team, OSU is on a pace that would give them more than 3,200 rushing yards this season.
Morency Rushes for 100, Again
Junior tailback Vernand Morency added to his already impressive season Saturday by rushing 28 times for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns in OSU's win over Iowa State. It was Morency's sixth-straight regular-season game with 100 or more yards, and he continues to show as one of the top backs in the country. Through just four games, Morency has 104 total carries for 704 yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging 176 yards per game and an impressive 6.8 yards per rush. He's on a pace to come close to the 2,000 yard rushing mark. If he can achieve that milestone, he would be just the second OSU player to record that mark. Barry Sanders had 2,628 in his 1988 Heisman Trophy season.
Morency's Last Seven
Over the last seven games (the final three in 2003 and the first four in 2004), Vernand Morency has put up numbers that are nothing short of dazzling. Dating back to the Kansas game in 2003, Morency has 176 carries for 1,259 yards and 12 touchdowns. That's a seven game average of nearly 180 yards per game, and a 7.15 yards-per-carry average. In addition, Morency's rushing success has translated into team success for the Cowboys. The Cowboys are 6-1 over those last seven games, including a 6-0 mark when Morency has rushed for 100 or more yards.
Peterson Gets Start, Makes it Count
Freshman defensive end Nathan Peterson gained his first-career start against Iowa State and was impressive. He was credited with seven total tackles, including five primary, and had four tackles for minus-17 yards. Three of his tackles for loss were quarterback sacks for minus-14 yards. He also forced a fumble on one of those sacks. It was quite a performance for the freshman from Tulsa Union who came to Oklahoma State after leading the Redskins to a state championship a year ago. While it was his first start, Peterson has now played in all four games of his true freshman season and has 11 total tackles, five tackles for minus-20 yards, three sacks, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble.
Thompson Comes Up Big, Again
Safety Jamie Thompson, one of Oklahoma State's top defensive performers, came up big again in the win over Iowa State. Thompson was credited with five primary tackles and a pair of assists, but also had two quarterback sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered one fumble. Thompson was instrumental in an OSU defensive effort that limited Iowa State to 59 net rushing yards and just 219 yards of total offense and seven points. For the season, Thompson is second on the tackle chart with 21 total stops, two sacks, one interception and a team-leading three forced fumbles.
Nothing New! Duren Tops Tackle Chart
One of the most reliable players on the defensive side of the ball for the past two years is up to his old tricks. A glance at the season tackle chart shows linebacker Paul Duren at the top of that list. Through four games, Duren has been credited with 22 total tackles, 16 of which have been primary stops. He also has one tackle for minus-three yards and has recovered a fumble. Duren has been Oklahoma State's leading tackler the past two seasons, and his steady, if not spectacular, play should warrant postseason mention in 2004. With 203 career tackles, Duren is just 35 stops short of jumping into Oklahoma State's list of top 25 career tackle leaders.
Farden One of Big 12, NCAA's Best
Oklahoma State punter Cole Farden was one of 36 college punters named to the watch list for the 2004 Ray Guy Award, given annually to the nation's top punter. Farden was a second-team All-Big 12 selection a year ago and was a first-team preseason All-Big 12 honoree. Farden is one of just four punters from the Big 12 on the early list. He joins Texas Tech's Alex Reyes, John Torp of Colorado and Baylor's Daniel Sepulveda. Through four games of the 2004 season, Farden has punted 18 times for an average of 42 yards per punt. Five of his punts have been downed inside the 20. Farden also has 31 kickoffs through four games, with 19 of those going for touchbacks.
Red Zone
Oklahoma State's offense continues to show it is effective when operating in the red zone. Through four games and 23 possessions inside the opponent's 20 yard line, the Cowboys have scored 21 times. Included among the red zone scoring are 17 touchdowns and four field goals. On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma State's defense has allowed only eight red zone penetrations with opposing offenses scoring on just five of those.
Woods-to-Woods Combo Works Again
Freshman quarterback Donovan Woods started his fourth-straight game Saturday as Oklahoma State ran its record to 4-0 with a win over Iowa State. He also found a familar face on a second-quarter touchdown pass, his brother D'Juan. For the second time this season, the brothers combined for a touchdown connection. The first came two weeks ago in Oklahoma State's win over SMU.
More on Donovan
Oklahoma State's quarterback, who gained his first collegiate start in the season opener at the Rose Bowl, has 32 rushing attempts through four games for 91 yards. He has scored five rushing touchdowns. Through the air, he has completed 18 of 41 passes for 331 yards and four more touchdowns. He is OSU's third-leading scorer with 30 points.
More on D'Juan
Oklahoma State's second-best receiver a year ago (to brother Rashaun), leads all Cowboy receivers through four games of the 2004 season. D'Juan has eight receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns. He scored twice in a home field win over SMU and once in Saturday's Big 12 opener against Iowa State.
Rushing Success Result of O-Line Production
Part of the credit for Oklahoma State's rushing success is not only due to Morency and the other fine tailbacks, but to a talented and experienced offensive line. Four starters return from last year, including center Chris Akin, who started all 13 games of the 2003 season, and right guard Sam Mayes, who logged 12 starts a year ago. Right tackle Kellen Davis and left tackle Corey Hilliard also return, and redshirt freshman David Koenig has gotten the nod at left guard. The combination of Akin, Mayes, Davis and Hilliard have a combined 75 starts. Mayes was a preseason All-Big 12 selection and preseason All-America selection by several publications. Oklahoma State's 2004 offensive line averages 6-3 and 298 pounds.
Darrent Williams: Double Threat
Oklahoma State's Darrent Williams has spent most of his college career showing up as one of the top defensive backs and one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country. This season has been no different. OSU's double threat was a first-team All-Big 12 selection a year ago, and has already been recognized as one of the top players in the country heading into the season. Williams is a preseason all-conference pick as well as a preseason All-American on most lists, and is on the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back. Five times in his OSU career, he has returned interceptions for touchdowns, both a Big 12 and NCAA record. The first three interceptions of his collegiate career were all returned for touchdowns, including two in one game (Baylor in 2001). Through four games of the 2004 season, Williams has 20 total tackles, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble return. He also leads the Big 12 and is third in the country in punt returns with nine returns for a 27.7 yard average.
NCAA Stat Notes
As a team, Oklahoma State is second in the country in punt returns, averaging 21.4 yards per return. The Cowboys trail only Central Michigan in that category, which is averaging 25 yards per return. Oklahoma State's offense is seventh in the country in scoring. Through four games, O-State has scored 164 points and is averaging 41 points per game. Three Big 12 schools, Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are ranked sixth, seventh and eighth in the country in scoring offense. The Oklahoma State defense is 14th in the country in opponent scoring, allowing just 13.8 points per game, and the Cowboys are 33rd in the nation in total defense.
Big 12 Stat Notes
As a team, Oklahoma State leads the Big 12 Conference in both punt returns and turnover margin. The Cowboys are second in the league in rushing offense (297.5 ypg), scoring offense (41 ppg) and passing efficiency (156.94). Oklahoma State is third in pass efficiency defense (104.14) and scoring defense (13.8 ppg). Individually, Vernand Morency is No. 2 in rushing and No. 3 in all-purpose yardage. Vernon Grant is second in interceptions, while Darrent Williams tops the league in punt returns. Punter Cole Farden is third with his average of 42 yards per punt , and kicker Jason Ricks is No. 2 in field goals, averaging 1.5 per game.
