Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Open Big 12 Play At Kansas State
October 08, 2006 | Cowboy Football
Oklahoma State at
Kansas State
Bill Snyder Family Stadium
Manhattan, Kan.
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006 • 2:35 p.m.
Television — None
Radio — Cowboy Radio Network
Dave Hunziker (play-by-play)
John Holcomb (analyst)
Robert Allen (sidelines)
Joe Riddle (engineer)
Satellite — Sirius Radio Channel 119
Internet — okstate.com
Storylines
The Oklahoma State Cowboys, 3-1,0-0, head to Manhattan this weekend for their Big 12 opener against the Kansas State Wildcats (3-2, 0-1) in a critical game on the 2006 Cowboy schedule.
Oklahoma State's 3-0 start was disrupted by a 34-25 setback at Houston on Sept. 23. However the Cowboys, who are in the midst of a three straight road games, are coming off of an open week before they close the season with eight straight conference games.
Kansas State, under first-year head coach Ron Prince, got off to a 3-0 start before falling at home to Louisville and on the road at Baylor in their league opener.
The game features a matchup between a Kansas State defense ranked 28th nationally and a Cowboy offense ranked 24th in the country. Both teams allow less than 15 points per game.
The game also features a matchup of two of America's youngest head coaches. OSU coach Mike Gundy celebrated his 39th birthday during fall camp and Prince is the 36-year-old boss of the Wildcats. And both head coaches are natives. Mike Gundy prepped at Midwest City, while Prince is from Junction City, Kan., located just west of Manhattan.
Although the Cowboys hold a healthy series advantage against the Wildcats, Oklahoma State struggled against Kansas State during the Bill Snyder era and OSU will be looking for its first victory in Manhattan since the Barry Sanders-led Cowboys registered a 45-27 victory in 1988.
The 12
The Oklahoma State Cowboys open their 11th season in the Big 12 Conference Saturday when they visit the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan. Kickoff is set for 2:35 p.m. There is no live television of the game.
Familiar Road
The Cowboys are 3-7 in Big 12 Conference openers, including six losses in their last seven tries on their maiden conference voyages. Oklahoma State will be opening Big 12 play on the road for the ninth time in 11 seasons. In fact, with Oklahoma State scheduled to visit Lawrence next week, OSU will be opening Big 12 play with two straight games away from Stillwater for the fifth time in the league's existence.
Openers
Oklahoma State is 35-51-2 all-time in conference openers, including a 2-8 record in the old Southwest Conference, 19-12-1 in the Missouri Valley, 11-24-1 in the Big Eight and the 3-7 mark in the Big 12.
Meet Me In Manhattan
Even though Kansas State and Oklahoma State have shared conference affiliation since the 1950s, the Cowboys have opened conference play against the Wildcats just once. In 1978, Oklahoma State opened Big Eight play with an 18-7 loss at Kansas State.
Series Numbers
Oklahoma State leads the all-time series with Kansas State, 33-21. The series, which dates back to 1908, is the second oldest for OSU among current Division I membership. The rivalry with Oklahoma, which dates back to 1904, is the longest running for the Cowboys. OSU and K-State met 13 times prior to 1958 with Oklahoma A&M/State holding a 7-6 advantage. Starting in 1958, the Cowboys and Wildcats met every season, except 1963, through the 1995 season. During the Big Eight years, Oklahoma State held a 23-12 series advantage.
