Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Conclude Greatest Season In School History
January 16, 2012 | Cowboy Football
Jan. 16, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. --- The No. 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys reached new highs in 2011 and marked the greatest season in school history. OSU reached 12 wins for the first time in program history and earned its first-ever BCS bowl appearance. The Cowboys clinched their first outright Big 12 conference championship with a victory over the Sooners in the season finale. A 2012 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory in Arizona capped the historic run led by head coach Mike Gundy and the Pokes.
The Cowboys climbed as high as No. 2 in every major poll and narrowly missed out on a shot at the national championship. OSU has emerged as one of the elite programs nationally with 41 wins over the last four seasons. The Cowboys had a school record six All-Americans including two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon.
Gundy has elevated the Cowboy program to uncharted success. The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl marked the sixth consecutive bowl game under Gundy. He currently has the highest winning percentage in the modern era at Oklahoma State. His 59-wins ranks second all-time at OSU and sits only three behind Pat Jones for the record. Through all the success and national attention, Gundy continues to express his love for Oklahoma State. Following the 2011 season, his commitment to the Cowboys was rewarded with an eight-year contract extension through the 2019 season.
Gundy, who was the 2011 recipient of the Football Writers Association of America's Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award, commanded the Cowboys through the national polls and remained in the Top 10 the entire season. OSU faced a difficult slate in 2011, going 4-0 against teams with at least 10-wins. The Cowboys knocked off five nationally ranked opponents and three came on the road.
Oklahoma State attracted attention from all across the country but the State of Oklahoma was fully behind the Cowboys. OSU set new school records for season tickets and single-season attendance average. In six home games at Boone Pickens Stadium, the Cowboys averaged 57,229 rowdy fans. All six crowds ranked in the Top 10 all-time at OSU. The Pokes went 6-0 at home for the first time since 1984.
The climb to the top for OSU had its battles. The Cowboys mounted a come-from-behind victory in College Station, Texas to beat No. 8 Texas A&M at Kyle Field. Three weeks later, OSU earned its second consecutive win in Austin. Oklahoma State beat Texas on their home field back-to-back years, something that hadn't been done by any school since 1910-11. The Pokes pulled out exciting home wins over Baylor and Kansas State as the undefeated Cowboys marched towards the national title game.
With two games remaining on the schedule and all the hype surrounding the 10-0 Cowboys, heartache struck the Oklahoma State family with the tragic plane crash. The accident took the lives of four, including Cowgirl head basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna. With heavy hearts and a lot of emotions, OSU took the field on a Friday night at Iowa State. The well-prepared Cyclones matched the Cowboys step-for-step and capitalized on every OSU miscue. Oklahoma State missed a late field goal forcing overtime and eventually the upset. Despite the loss, the Cowboys still had all their season goals alive.
The 2011 Big 12 title came down to Bedlam once again. Oklahoma State dominated in every aspect of the game. The Cowboys had one of their best defensive performances in school history under Defensive Coordinator Bill Young. The No. 10 Sooners were stunned and nearly shutout in the 44-10 routing. The announced crowd of 58,141 stormed the field and celebrated one of the biggest wins in school history. The Cowboys were Big 12 Conference Champions for the first-time ever.
The Big 12 title clinched Oklahoma State a BCS bid and a trip to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Cowboys spent nine days in sunny Arizona preparing for an instant classic with No. 4 Stanford. Oklahoma State showed its determination and grit fighting from behind most of the game. Stanford missed two late field goals opening the door for the Cowboys. It was OSU that ceased the trophy and claimed the victory in overtime. O-State kicker Quinn Sharp connected on a 22-yard field goal for the win.
The 2011 Cowboys believed in the process and committed to the challenge for this historic run. Gundy and Oklahoma State have built the program the right way and the future is bright in Stillwater.
