Oklahoma State University Athletics
Game Notes - OSU vs. Arizona
September 04, 2011 | Cowboy Football
Sept. 4, 2011
Arizona at Oklahoma State
Sept. 8, 2011 :: 7:06 p.m. Central Time :: Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 capacity)
TV: ESPN (Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer and Jenn Brown) and ESPN3D (Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard and Ray Bentley)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
National Radio: Touchdown Radio (Roxy Bernstein and Gino Torretta)
Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 91, XM Channel 91
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2011 Take Two
The Oklahoma State Cowboys look to move to 2-0 on the season Thursday night when they host the Arizona Wildcats in Boone Pickens Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:06 p.m. with ESPN in town to televise the event in HD as well as 3D. The game is a rematch of the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl. Like OSU, the Wildcats enter the game with a 1-0 record. They are coming off a win over Northern Arizona.
Two Stepping
Oklahoma State is trying to start a season 2-0 for the fifth time in the last six years. Since the Jimmy Johnson years (which began in 1979), Oklahoma State has started a season 2-0 on 14 occasions. In 10 of those years, the Cowboys qualified for a bowl game.
TV
For the third straight season, Oklahoma State is host to an ESPN Thursday night telecast. This year's game will also be televised in 3D. For the HD telecast, Rece Davis will call the action with analysts Jesse Palmer and Craig James. Jenn Brown provides sideline updates.
National Radio, Too
Saturday's game will also feature a national radio broadcast with Roxy Bernstein and Gino Torretta calling the action for Touchdown Radio.
Thursday Night Thrillers
Oklahoma State and Thursday nights have combined to produce drama over the past two seasons.
• In 2010, Oklahoma State kicked a field goal on the final play of the game and erased a pair of 14-point deficits in a 38-35 win over Texas A&M. That game ended up being a showdown between two of the three teams that shared the Big 12 South title.
• In 2009, Oklahoma State fell behind Colorado 21-10 on a Thursday night. But in the second half Brandon Weeden got the first significant snaps of his career and he rallied the Cowboys to a 31-28 victory in a game that clinched OSU's Cotton Bowl berth. Weeden was 10-of-15 for 168 yards. The game-winning points came when Weeden tossed a 28-yard touchdown pass to little-known redshirt freshman receiver Justin Blackmon.
Tickets, Please
For the second time in three years, Oklahoma State has set a new record for season ticket sales. The old mark of 45,694 was set in 2009. Oklahoma State raised that bar again in 2011 with more than 47,500 season tickets purchased. Oklahoma State opened the season with a crowd of 55,382 for the Louisiana game. It was the largest season-opening crowd in school history and the fifth largest overall.
The Series
Oklahoma State holds a 4-3 series advantage over the Wildcats, breaking the tie with the 36-10 win over Arizona in the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl. The meeting in San Antonio on Dec. 29, 2010, was the first between the schools since 1942. OSU holds a 2-0 series advantage when playing at home. Arizona hasn't been to Stillwater since the Oklahoma A&M Aggies were 41-14 winners over the Wildcats in 1941. After not meeting for nearly 70 years, OSU and Arizona will meet for the third time in three seasons when they clash in Tucson in 2012, concluding a home-and-home series.
OSU And The Pacific-12
Oklahoma State is 9-10 all-time against the old Pac-10. OSU's record is 29-36-1 against the new Pac-12 with the addition of Colorado and Utah. When the Colorado series is discarded (as those meetings were conference games for OSU and CU), OSU's longest running series against that league is the seven meetings against Arizona.
Lately Against The Pac-12
Oklahoma State has won five of its last six games against current Pac-12 membership (and is 5-1 vs. the league under Mike Gundy), including two victories over Colorado, two wins over Washington State and the bowl win over Arizona in 2010. The only loss in the six-game stretch came in the 2008 Holiday Bowl to Oregon. The Cowboys had a halftime lead in that game but suffered several injuries on the offensive side (including to Dez Bryant and Zac Robinson) and couldn't hold off the Ducks.
Remembering The Alamo
Oklahoma State won its historic 11th game of the 2010 season in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Arizona.
• The Cowboy offense generated just 312 yards against the Wildcats, but the OSU defense had a big day. The Cowboys picked off three passes (including one that was returned 62 yards for a touchdown by Markelle Martin), and recorded five quarterback sacks against the `Cats. OSU also recovered a fumble on an Arizona punt return to set up the first touchdown of the game.
• Brandon Weeden was 25-of-41 for 240 yards with two touchdown passes. Justin Blackmon caught nine passes covering 117 yards, including TD catches of 71 and three yards. Josh Cooper caught seven passes for 53 yards.
America's Young Leaders
Two of the nation's total offense leaders will clash on Thursday night. Arizona quarterback Nick Foles leads the country after generating 405 yards of total offense against Northern Arizona. OSU's Brandon Weeden is third in that category with his 388-yard effort against Louisiana.
Louisiana Recap
Oklahoma State rolled to a 61-34 win over Louisiana in the season opener. The Cowboys outgained the Cajuns by a 666-320 advantage. In fact, the visitors didn't reach 200 total yards until the fourth quarter and didn't score an offensive touchdown until 8:14 was left in the game. The Louisiana offense managed just two offensive touchdowns and those came after OSU had crossed the 50-point mark and the final score came with just 17 seconds left in the game. The Cowboys ended the suspense in typical OSU fashion. A 10-3 OSU lead with just 16 seconds left in the first quarter turned into a 31-3 lead with 6:36 remaining in the first half. During that span OSU had three straight TD drives of 72, 59 and 48 yards. The drives consumed just 3:59, 1:11 and 1:07 respectively. During that same time frame, Louisiana managed one total yard on nine snaps on three straight three-and-outs. In fact, during the critical second quarter, Louisiana gained just nine yards of offense.
Remembering The 60s
Oklahoma State's point total against Louisiana marked just the 17th time in school history that the Cowboys reached the 60-point mark. But it was also the third time in the last 14 games that OSU reached 60 points. OSU defeated Washington State 65-17 to open 2010 and then two weeks later was a 65-28 winner against Tulsa.
Team Speak
Oklahoma State rolled up 666 yards of offense in the opener for the ninth best output in school history. It was also the best week one offensive showing in college football. The Cowboys also lead the nation in passing offense with their 458 yards against UL and OSU is sixth in scoring. It was the fifth time since 2008 that OSU produced one of its all-time top 10 offensive performances. Also against UL...
• OSU had six scoring drives of less than two minutes (including four touchdown drives).
• OSU had two 100-yard receivers in the same game for the sixth time in school history. Justin Blackmon (8-144) and Tracy Moore (7-112) accomplished the feat against Louisiana. Blackmon has been a part of four of those six 100-yard tandem performances.
• Ten players caught a pass in the opener with three different players making TD receptions.
• OSU reached double figures in scoring in every quarter.
• OSU's 458 passing yards against Louisiana rank second all-time at OSU.
• OSU was 10-for-10 in red zone scoring chances. The Cowboys led the nation in red zone scoring efficiency last season.
• Oklahoma State used 72 players in the game
The Wilson Award
Senior Wilson Youman absolutely had to have tied a school record against Louisiana by seeing action on offense, defense and special teams. The senior played on offense as a tight end, on defense as a defensive end and on the special teams kicking units. Since arriving on campus, Youman has bounced between offense and defense but Saturday was the first time he saw game action on both sides of the ball.
Sharp Performance
Quinn Sharp had long established himself has one of the nation's best punters and set an OSU record for average last season. Against Louisiana, he may have tossed his name into the argument for the nation's best special teams player, period. Sharp handled all of OSU's kicking chores in the opener with eye-opening results.
• He had two punts (52 and 48 yards) that averaged 50 yards and dropped one of those inside the UL 20.
• He connected on the first four field goal attempts of his career, including a 46-yarder.
• He had seven touchbacks for the Cowboy kickoff team and is well on his way to three-peating as the national champion in touchbacks.
• Sharp enters week two fourth nationally in scoring with his 19 points.
Randle Has A Handle
Replacing a two-time All-America running back like departed Cowboy Kendall Hunter can be daunting but OSU took its first steps in that direction in Saturday's game. Wichita sophomore Joseph Randle, in his first game as OSU's featured back, ran for 129 yards and two scores and averaged 5.86 yards per rush on his 22 carries. Both of his scores came from four yards out.
The Starters Chart
Oklahoma State entered the season with 27 players who had made at least one career start. That number has grown to 34 with the addition of seven first-time starters against Louisiana. New to the lineup in the 2011 opener were sophomore cornerback Justin Gilbert, redshirt freshman defensive tackle Christian Littlehead, sophomore safety Daytawion Lowe, junior tight end Justin Horton, sophomore linebacker Caleb Lavey, junior college transfer linebacker Alex Elkins and sophomore offensive lineman Parker Graham.
The New-Look D
Oklahoma State unveiled a young defense in the opener with two new starting tackles, two new starting linebackers and two new starters in the secondary. How did they fare? Take a look at the ringleaders of the newcomers.
• Outside linebacker Alex Elkins, in his first Division I game, had six tackles and recovered a fumble.
• Safety Daytawion Lowe had six tackles and broke up a pass.
• Defensive tackle Nigel Nicholas had three tackles, a quarterback sack and a forced fumble.
300-100-100-100
Oklahoma State's offensive numbers in the opener were highlighted by the combination of a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers for just the third time in school history - all in the last 13 games. Against Louisiana, Brandon Weeden passed for 388 yards (the ninth best game in OSU history), Joseph Randle rushed for 129 yards, Justin Blackmon had 144 receiving yards and Tracy Moore had 112 receiving yards. The previous 300-100-100-100 combos came in 2010 against Troy and Nebraska and featured Weeden, Blackmon, Josh Cooper and Kendall Hunter accomplishing the trick.
Not a Fad
Under Mike Gundy, OSU has done more than just win games in 2010. Over the last three years, since the opening of the 2008 season, the Cowboys are 30-10. That win total is the best ever for OSU over a three-year-plus period and the Cowboys are No. 10 nationally (tied) in wins over the last three seasons
Most Wins Since 2008
1. Boise State - 39
2. Alabama - 37
3. TCU - 36
4. Ohio State - 34
5. Utah - 34
6. Oklahoma - 33
7. Oregon - 32
7. Virginia Tech - 32
9. Texas - 31
10. Oklahoma State - 30
Penn State - 30
Southern Cal - 30
Nebraska - 30
Topping The Big 12
Oklahoma State has gone 6-2 over each of the last two Big 12 seasons and as a result, OSU has the league's best conference record during that time frame.
Big 12 Standings (2009-2010)
Oklahoma State - 12-4
Nebraska - 12-4
Oklahoma - 11-5
Missouri - 10-6
Texas - 10-6
Texas A&M - 9-7
Texas Tech - 8-8
Kansas State - 7-9
Iowa State - 6-10
Baylor - 5-11
Colorado - 4-12
Kansas - 2-14
Gundy vs. The Big 12
Year W-L Finish
2005 1-7 6th
2006 3-5 5th
2007 4-4 3rd
2008 5-3 4th
2009 6-2 2nd
2010 6-2 1stT
Gundy in Perspective
Head coach Mike Gundy enters his seventh season as head coach at his alma mater with a blossoming resume in Stillwater. He is 48-29 but is clearly authoring a sustained period of success at OSU.
• OSU was 12-15 under Gundy after 27 games, but has gone 36-14 since then, including a 30-10 record over the last 40 games and 21-6 over the last 27.
• Gundy's 48 wins at OSU rank third all-time behind only Jim Lookabaugh (58-41-6) and Gundy's college coach, Pat Jones (62-60-3).
• Gundy's .623 winning percentage is third best at OSU. That OSU chart is topped by Hall-of-Famer Lynn "Pappy" Waldorf (.735).
• Perhaps the most impressive part of Gundy's tenure at OSU is that he has built the program with three different offensive coordinators and three different defensive coordinators. Three of his former assistants have left Oklahoma State to become head coaches (Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, Larry Fedora at Southern Miss and Tim Beckman at Toledo).
• Under Gundy, OSU has gone to five straight bowl games (an OSU first) and won at least seven games in six straight seasons (another school first) and at least nine games in three straight seasons (yet another first).
• Under Gundy, OSU has reached the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for a school-best fourth straight season.
The Guys To Watch
Oklahoma State has a roster stacked full of potential award winners in 2011. A few who could be flying a bit under the radar:
• Levy Adcock: In his first year as a starter he was an all-conference selection and a contender for the Big 12 offensive lineman of the year in 2010. Rivals ranked Adcock as the nation's 17th best player and lists him as a preseason first-team All-American
• Brodrick Brown: Turned in the nation's top defensive play a year ago and is no doubt a contender for all-league honors as a junior
• Josh Cooper: Will put the wraps on a very productive career in 2011 and is a member of the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list
• Grant Garner: A Rimington Award watch list member and one of the most intelligent players on the OSU roster. He has already earned a degree in business and like his quarterback, is married
• Shaun Lewis: A freshman All-America linebacker in 2010 and a starter as a true freshman
• Markelle Martin is one of the country's most underrated players. He is athletic, physical and smart while ruling the secondary. He has been voted a preseason All-Big 12 player. The Sporting News recently named Martin as the best NFL safety prospect in college football
Home in the Polls
Oklahoma State opens the 2011 season ranked No. 9 in the Associated Press poll and No. 8 in the USA Today Coaches poll. At no time in its history has Oklahoma State been more visible in the national polls than during the Mike Gundy era.
• The Arizona game will mark OSU's 11th straight as a member of the Associated Press top 25.
• Including this week, OSU has been ranked by AP 33 times in its last 37 games, including 19 games as a member of the top 15.
• Oklahoma State began the 2009 season No. 9 in the AP balloting for its highest preseason ranking ever. OSU tied that preseason ranking in 2011. The 2009 and 2011 seasons are the only two in OSU history in which the Cowboys have made an appearance in the AP preseason top 10.
• In 2010, the Cowboys finished No. 10 in the USA Today poll, marking the first time that OSU closed a season in the top 10 of a major poll since 1984 when OSU was seventh in the final AP vote.
• The highest the Cowboys have been ranked under Gundy came in the second week of the 2009 season when OSU reached No. 5 in the AP.
• Under Gundy, OSU is 22-10 as a member of the top 25.
• Under Gundy, OSU has spent 10 weeks (including weeks in which OSU was idle) in the top 10. Prior to Gundy, OSU had spent just 25 weeks in the top 10 of the AP poll in its history. The Cowboys hold an all-time record of 18-9 when ranked in the top 10.
• Under Mike Gundy, OSU has cracked the Associated Press top 10 in four straight seasons, which had never happened at Oklahoma State.
Streaking In Stillwater
OSU will carry several team and individual streaks into the second week of the season:
• Justin Blackmon has an NCAA record 13 straight games with at least 100 receiving yards.
• Brandon Weeden tossed at least one touchdown pass in 14 straight games.
• Josh Cooper has at least one catch in 18 straight games.
• Safety Markelle Martin has started 25 straight games to lead the team.
• Sophomore running back Jeremy Smith has rushed for a touchdown in five straight games.
• OSU has completed a pass of at least 40 yards in 10 straight games.
The Blackmon Update
Justin Blackmon took up in 2011 where he left off in 2010 when he won the Biletnikoff Award. Against Louisiana, he had eight catches for 144 yards for an average of 18 yards per catch. His NCAA record of at least 100 receiving yards with a touchdown in 12 straight games ended when he didn't reach the end zone against Louisiana. While it may be difficult for Blackmon to reach last year's receiving yardage total of 1,782 yards (the sixth best total in NCAA history and the best ever by a sophomore), it is worth noting that he is off to a faster than a year ago. Blackmon opened 2010 with 125 receiving yards against WSU. And keep in mind that he reached last year's totals in 12 games.
The Other NCAA Record Continues
Justin Blackmon did add to his ongoing NCAA record of consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards (now at 13) when picked up 144 yards against Louisiana. In another incredible streak, Blackmon has now caught a pass of at least 29 yards in 13 straight games. He had a 40-yard reception in the opener and he had 127 receiving yards by halftime against the Cajuns.
Weeden Watch
Brandon Weeden has carved his name into OSU's single-game top 10 - again. Weeden's 388-yard effort against Louisiana was the ninth best passing game in school history, which is impressive. It's more impressive when considering that Weeden has now made 14 career starts and has five of the top 10 passing games in school history. He is 12-2 as a starter. Weeden has also moved into fourth place on OSU's career passing yards list (see chart below). Saturday marked the fifth time that Weeden passed for at least three TDs in a game.
Five Guys
Oklahoma State returns all five starters on its offensive line from a team that finished third nationally last season in scoring and yards. (although junior college transfer Michael Bowie was/is making a strong push to take over a tackle spot). Last season, the Cowboys were seventh nationally in sacks allowed per game (.77). The Cowboys attempted at least 100 more passes than anyone else on the fewest sacks allowed chart. As a result of last year's numbers, most prognosticators have OSU blessed with one of the nation's best offensive lines.
A Budding Tradition
Some other things to consider about the OSU offensive:
• The Cowboy linemen had 76 career starts entering the season, compared to 11 for last year's season opener.
• OSU returns not only All-Big 12 selection Levy Adcock, but also Rimington Award watch list member Grant Garner and two-year starter Lane Taylor.
• Oklahoma State led the Big 12 in rushing every year from 2006 through 2009. OSU did not lead the Big 12 in rushing last season, but the Cowboys actually improved their yards-per-carry from 4.4 in 2009 to 5.0 in 2010.
The Young Influence
OSU defensive coordinator and alum Bill Young is beginning his third season at Oklahoma State. In his first two seasons, OSU has gone 20-6, including 12-4 in Big 12 play. And while the Cowboy defense is still evolving under Young, his influence is clear in one very important area: turnovers. In Young's two seasons back in Stillwater, the Cowboys have finished No. 11 and No. 5 nationally in turnovers forced.
A New Trend
Oklahoma State recorded five quarterback sacks in the win over Louisiana and OSU hopes it is continuing a trend. The Cowboys never had more than four sacks in a game last season and only reached that number once. But OSU had five sacks in the bowl win over Arizona, meaning OSU has now recorded five sacks in two straight games. The five sacks against the Cajuns were recorded by five different players.
Three Diplomas
Three members of the Cowboy roster, quarterback Brandon Weeden (business), center Grant Garner (business management), and defensive end Jamie Blatnick (health promotions) have already earned their degrees at Oklahoma State.
Uniform Note
Oklahoma State will sport a new look in 2011 - actually 48 new looks. OSU has partnered with Nike this season to play in Nike Pro Combat uniforms. OSU will have its choice of 48 different combinations with helmets of white, black and gray, jerseys of black, gray and orange (for home games), and pants that are black, white, orange or gray.
Quick Recap
Oklahoma State is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history. In 2010, the Cowboys, despite being picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 South, set a school record for wins with their 11-2 record. They won 10 regular-season games for the first time ever, tied for the Big 12 South title for the first time and went undefeated on the road for the first time since 1945. OSU finished in the top 10 of the national polls (No. 10 in USA Today) for the first time since 1984.
