Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Pursues Third Win In Last Four Meetings With Nebraska
October 08, 2007 | Cowboy Football
From South To North
The Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-3, 1-1) will play their second straight Big 12 road game when they travel to Lincoln, Neb., Saturday for a matchup with Nebraska (4-2, 1-1). Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. with the game available on a pay-per-view basis.
Pay-Per-View
The pay-per-view telecast from Lincoln is expected to be available in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Stillwater and to Direct TV and Dish Network customers.
Strength Of Schedule
According to the NCAA, Oklahoma State's 2007 schedule ranks among the most difficult in the nation. OSU's past opponents (2007 opponents to date) have a cumulative record of 15-7 for a winning percentage of .681, giving OSU the 11th toughest schedule to date. Based on cumulative opposition (the winning percentage of all 12 of State's 2007 opponents), OSU's schedule ranks as the second toughest in the NCAA. OSU's 12 opponents have a current record of 36-17.
The Series
Oklahoma State and Nebraska first met on the football field in 1960 and met annually every year through the formation of the Big 12 Conference in 1995. Overall, Nebraska leads the all-time football series with Oklahoma State, 36-4-1. The series lead for the Huskers is just 3-2 since Big 12 play began. And in this century, OSU holds a 2-1 series advantage. The Cowboys have just one win in Lincoln and that came in the first meeting between the teams back in 1960.
Close Calls
Nebraska owns a big lead in its series with Oklahoma State, but there have been numerous close calls. Along with a tie in 1973 with No. 10 Nebraska, 10 other games in the series have been decided by one score.
Even Closer Calls
Since the beginning of the 2006 season, no one has had more than OSU. The Cowboys have had seven games decided in the last two minutes. OSU has a 2-5 record in those games, including a win over Texas Tech (49-45) and a loss at Texas A&M (24-23) this season. Included in the 2-5 record is the 34-31 win over Alabama in the 2006 Independence Bowl.
Big 12 Excitement
Oklahoma State is probably the Big 12's most exciting team. The Cowboys' last four conference games have been nail biters. Those games include:
:: A 30-24 loss at Texas Tech (2006) with OSU in the red zone and tossing passes into the end zone as time expired.
:: A 27-21 loss to Oklahoma as OSU just missed on a pass from Zac Robinson to D'Juan Woods in the OU end zone on the final play of the game.
:: The 49-45 win over Texas Tech (2007) in which Tech's final drive ended on downs at the OSU 15 with just 19 seconds left in the game.
:: Saturday's game at Texas A&M that saw OSU's would-be final drive ended by a penalty that allowed the Aggies to obtain a first down in the last two minutes and run out the clock.
College Station Recap
For the second consecutive season, Oklahoma State will face Nebraska following a one-point loss to Texas A&M. Last season it was a 34-33 overtime setback. This season, the score was 24-23. The 2007 chapter saw the Cowboys hold a 17-0 halftime lead, limit the Big 12's leading rushing offense to 150 yards and just 3.5 yards per attempt and OSU outgained the Aggies, 459-368. But Texas A&M scored on four of its five second-half possessions to win the game.
Starting Blocks
The loss at Texas A&M means that Oklahoma State is 1-1 in Big 12 play for the second straight year, but just the fourth time since the Big 12 was formed (conference play began in 1996). The three previous 1-1 conference starts all led to final league records of 3-5.
Last Year In Stillwater
Perhaps the marquee victory of OSU's 2006 season came in a 41-29 win over No. 20 Nebraska. The Cowboys trailed 16-0 before scoring 20 second-quarter points and OSU erased a 23-20 fourth-quarter deficit with another 21 points for the victory. The Cowboys outgained the Huskers, 496-452 as Dantrell Savage rushed for 117 yards with two touchdowns. The 41 points represent the second best total ever by the Cowboys against Nebraska. The win was the second straight for OSU over Nebraska in Stillwater.
Last Time In Lincoln
OSU hasn't visited Nebraska since the 2003 season opener. No. 24 Oklahoma State was a 17-7 loser. OSU held a 7-3 halftime lead but five Cowboy turnovers led to 14 third-quarter points for the Huskers. Tatum Bell rushed for 87 yards for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys' lone touchdown came on a Josh Fields to Rashaun Woods 4-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys rebounded from the season-opening loss in Lincoln to post a 9-4 record and make an appearance in the Cotton Bowl.
Heading Upwards
OSU's visit to Nebraska will mark the Cowboys' first game of the season against a member of the Big 12 North. The Cowboys were 2-1 against the North last season, including wins against Nebraska, at Kansas and a last-second loss at Kansas State.
Against The North
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, Oklahoma State is 7-5 against members of the Big 12 North. Included in that total are wins against every member of the division.
Scouting Nebraska
Nebraska is 4-2 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 play. The Huskers are coming off of a 41-6 loss at Missouri. Nebraska runs for 146 yards per game and passes for 293. The Huskers are No. 29 nationally and sixth in the Big 12 in total offense (439 yards per game). Husker running back Marlon Lucky is the Big 12's leading rusher with 105.3 yards per game. OSU's Kendall Hunter is third in that category with 447 yards on just 57 carries.
Speaking Of Rushing
While Nebraska's Marlon Lucky leads the Big 12 in rushing in the all-games category, Oklahoma State's Dantrell Savage holds that distinction in Big 12 play. Thanks to his 110-yard night against Texas A&M, Savage is now averaging 120 yards per Big 12 game. Running mate Kendall Hunter is fifth in the conference (tops among freshmen) with 97.5 yards per game against Big 12 opposition.
Getting Offensive Again
After a relatively slow start in the early going of the 2007 season, OSU's offense is finding its 2006 form:
:: Oklahoma State has recorded four of the top 12 offensive games in school history since the beginning of the 2006 season (a span of 19 games).
:: OSU has generated more than 480 yards of total offense three times in the first five games of 2007.
:: OSU has gone over the 400-yard mark in total offense eight times in its last 10 games.
:: OSU has scored points in 13 of its last 16 quarters of play.
