Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Football Preview: OSU vs. Iowa State
September 29, 2004 | Cowboy Football
Oklahoma State breezed through its non-conference schedule, but Cowboys coach Les Miles knows his team will now start facing stiffer challenges as Big 12 play begins.
The No. 25 Cowboys play their first conference game Saturday when they host an Iowa State team they haven't beaten in seven years.
Oklahoma State is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1997, and the second time since Barry Sanders' final season in Stillwater in 1988.
The Cowboys roll into Big 12 play averaging 333.7 rushing yards, and their average of 42.7 points is second in the conference and eighth in the nation.
Most of the scoring production -- 12 of the Cowboys' 17 touchdowns -- has come through the running game. Running back Vernand Morency and quarterback Donovan Woods have each run for four scores and Woods has tossed three TD passes.
Miles said Monday he hoped to see a shift in those numbers.
''(We) need to improve to prepare to play our best opponents,'' Miles said. ``I'm looking forward to seeing our wide receivers taking a bigger stake in the receiving end. I'm looking for them to step up and go, 'Give me the ball.' When that happens, we'll be throwing the ball very effectively.''
The Cowboys' offensive prospects were uncertain coming into the season after losing quarterback Josh Fields (55 career TD passes), running back Tatum Bell (16 TDs last season) and receiver Rashaun Woods (42 career TD catches) from a team that averaged 35.9 points last season. That didn't stop Miles and his coaching staff from believing the Cowboys could score.
``We figured we could rush the football and we figured we could throw it,'' Miles said. ``I think we can throw it better than we're throwing it. I think it's just the mind-set of a young wide receiver as opposed to a guy that's been around making plays.''
The Cowboys this week face an Iowa State defense that allowed only 17 points and 404 yards in its first two games combined, then gave up 402 yards in a 48-41 shootout win over Northern Illinois on Sept. 18.
Miles said he thought the Cyclones (2-1) would be the best defense Oklahoma State has faced so far this season.
``I think their defense is athletic,'' Miles said. ``They have good players along the defensive line. They have big and strong linebackers. The safeties are tall, athletic, big and rangy. They also have good corners.
``They are a good quality defense. I look at them as a tremendous challenge.''
The Cyclones fell behind 34-20 to Northern Illinois, but the defense clamped down the rest of the way and the team is feeling confident and upbeat heading into Saturday's matchup.
``We'd like to be 3-0, but 2-1 sounds a lot better than 1-2,'' Iowa State quarterback Brett Meyer said. ``Our defense (has) stepped up. We just keep battling back. You can see the changes over the past year.''
Iowa State has won the last two meetings against Oklahoma State since a 21-14 loss on Aug. 30, 1997. The Cowboys, however, hold a 22-16-3 advantage in the series.
``We know we will have to play a lot better in the Big 12 conference and for Oklahoma State,'' Cyclones coach Dan McCarney said.
