Oklahoma State University Athletics
Game Notes - Cowboys, Cyclones Tangle in Ames
October 21, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Oct. 21, 2013
Complete Release in PDF Format
Cowboy Football This Week
AT IOWA STATE
11 a.m. | Oct. 19, 2013 | Jack Trice Stadium (56,800 cap.)
Television: FSN (Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger and J.C. Pearson)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
National Radio: None
Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 117 | XM Channel 202
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The Basics
The Oklahoma State football team (5-1 overall; 2-1 Big 12) travels to Ames to battle Iowa State (1-5 overall; 0-3 Big 12) Saturday at 11 a.m. CT in Jack Trice Stadium.
On the Air
Saturday's game can be seen live on Fox Sports Net, with Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger and J.C. Pearson on the call.
The game will also be carried live on the Cowboy Radio Network, with Dave Hunziker handling play-by-play, John Holcomb providing analysis and Robert Allen reporting from the sideline.
In The Polls
Oklahoma State enters Saturday's game at Iowa State ranked No. 19 in this week's Associated Press poll and No. 13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Cyclones are unranked.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Be the Cowboys' fifth in their last seven meetings with the Cyclones.
• Be the Cowboys' sixth of the year, making OSU bowl-eligible for the eighth consecutive year - a school record.
• Improve the Cowboys to 6-1 on the year, marking the fifth time in the last six seasons that OSU has started the season with a 6-1 record or better through its first seven games. Prior to Mike Gundy taking the head coaching position at OSU, the Cowboys had only seven 6-1 starts between 1945 and 2005.
• Improve the Cowboys to 29-4 in their last 33 games against unranked opponents.
Notable Streaks Entering the Iowa State Game
• Oklahoma State has scored 20 or more points in 45 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2010 season. That streak is the second-longest since Division I split into the FBS/FCS in 1978, trailing only USC's 63 straight games of 20 or more points from Sept. 2, 2002 through Nov. 25, 2006.
• OSU has at least one touchdown drive of faster than two minutes in each of its last 28 games and in 44 of its last 45 contests.
• Linebacker Shaun Lewis has started 38 straight games. Linebacker Caleb Lavey and safety Daytawion Lowe have each started 32 straight games, respectively.
The Series
Oklahoma State holds a 26-18-3 advantage all-time over Iowa State, but trails the Cyclones, 12-11-1 in Ames. Mike Gundy is 3-2 all-time against Iowa State, while Paul Rhoads is 1-2 in his three outings against the Cowboys.
Last Year's Meeting - Oklahoma State 31, Iowa State 10
After a loss at Iowa State derailed Oklahoma State's national championship aspirations in 2011, the Cowboys returned the favor with a 31-10 win over the Cyclones in 2012.
The win was the 63rd of coach Mike Gundy's career to give him sole possession of the top spot on the all-time OSU coaching wins list, breaking the previous tie with him and Pat Jones.
Starting in place of the injured Wes Lunt, quarterback J.W. Walsh exploded for his biggest game to date, completing 32-of-47 passes for 415 yards and a touchdown and adding nine carries for 46 yards and a score.
Entering the contest, the most yards allowed by Iowa State in 2012 was 455 by TCU. Oklahoma State had 497 yards after three quarters before finishing with 625 for the contest.
While Walsh and the Cowboy offense shredded the Cyclone defense, it was the OSU defense that put the Pokes over the top. The Cowboys gave up 132 yards of offense to Iowa State on the Cyclones' first three drives of the game, then shut the door on Iowa State from there, allowing only 209 yards for the rest of the game.
Additionally, the Oklahoma State defense held Iowa State to six three-and-outs and forced two turnovers in the contest. For the second straight week, the Cowboy defense forced the opposing coach to bench his starting quarterback due to ineffective play.
Receivers Charlie Moore and Josh Stewart both had career days for OSU, with Moore catching eight passes for 129 yards, highlighted by a 74-yard touchdown pass and Stewart catching 13 passes - the second-highest total in school history - for 89 yards.
Connections
• Iowa State running backs coach Kenith Pope coached defensive ends at Oklahoma State from 1987-90, overlapping directly with Mike Gundy during that time. Gundy quarterbacked the Cowboys from 1986-89.
• Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was a graduate assistant at Indiana in 2004 while Iowa State secondary coach Troy Douglas was mentoring the Hoosier cornerbacks.
• Oklahoma State offensive lineman Brandon Webb and Iowa State defensive back Jacques Washington were teammates at Owasso HS in Owasso, Okla.
• Oklahoma State defensive end Vili Leveni, offensive lineman Jesse Robinson and Iowa State defensive back Kamari Syrie were teammates at L.D. Bell HS in Hurst, Texas.
• Iowa State running back James White was coached by Oklahoma State receiver Ra'Shaad Samples' father, Reginald, at Skyline HS in Dallas.
• Oklahoma State punter Michael Reichenstein and Iowa State defensive end J.D. Waggoner both attended Jesuit College Prep school in Dallas.
• Iowa State offensive lineman Bob Graham is a native of Jenks, Okla. and a graduate of Jenks HS, and fellow Cyclone offensive lineman Daniel Burton is a native of Oklahoma City and graduate of Putnam City North HS.
Big 12 Record in Conference Games Only, 2008-pres.
Since 2008, Oklahoma State is 32-13 in Big 12 games, good for the second-best mark in the conference during that span (Oklahoma leads at 35-11). The Cowboys and Sooners are the only two teams in the league with a winning conference record every year from 2008-13.
Here's to the Defense
First-year defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer has the Oklahoma State defense performing at a high level, as the Cowboys rank in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense (14th - 18.3 ppg), passes intercepted (sixth - 12), turnovers gained (17th - 16), pass efficiency defense (10th - 102.88), rushing defense (20th - 117.5 ypg), red zone defense (17th - .722 pct.), third-down defense (23rd - .327 pct.) and fewest first downs allowed (25th - 118).
Turnovers are Back on the Menu
Forcing turnovers has been at the core of Oklahoma State's defensive identity for years. In fact, OSU ranks second nationally with 146 turnovers forced from 2009 through the present, trailing only Oregon's 152. The Cowboys led the nation in takeaways as part of their Big 12 championship season of 2011, but slipped in that area in 2012.
Through six games in 2013, turnovers are back to being a significant factor for OSU, as the Cowboys rank 17th nationally by forcing 16 turnovers while committing just nine of their own. The OSU's best turnover showing of the season came against Kansas State, when the Cowboys forced five Wildcat turnovers - all of which came in the second half.
Oklahoma State and the Turnover
Why are turnovers such a focal point at Oklahoma State? Because in nine years under Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State is 17-0 when it doesn't commit a turnover in a game and is 42-5 when winning the turnover battle. Dating back to the 2008 season, the Cowboys have won 29 of their last 30 games when winning the turnover battle.
Perspective On Yards Per Play
The NCAA statistical rankings show Oklahoma State as ranking 28th in total defense by yielding only 355.2 yards per game this season. When analyzed on a per-play basis to account for the up-tempo offense played by the Cowboys, the OSU defense looks even better, ranking 11th by surrendering only 4.65 yards per play.
Putting Opponents Behind The Chains
Part of Oklahoma State's defensive success stems from solid play on first down. The Pokes have defended 191 first-down plays this year and have limited the opposition to three yards or less on 107 of those 191 plays (.560 pct.)
Cowboys on Third Down
Oklahoma State enters the Iowa State game ranked third in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally by limiting opposing offenses to a .327 pct. conversion rate on third down. Part of the reason is that the Cowboys are consistently putting opposing offenses in third and medium and third and long situations.
OSU has defended 104 third down plays. Of those 104 plays, only 22 were third and short situations, meaning that 78.8 percent of OSU's third down plays defended have been third and medium or third and long situations.
Run Stuffers
One area where Oklahoma State's defense has been particularly effective is against the run, where the Cowboys rank second in the Big 12 and 20th nationally by surrendering only 117.5 rushing yards per game. Most impressive is the fact that OSU has allowed only four rushing touchdowns in six games this year. That mark ranks seventh in the country. The Cowboy defense allows only 3.22 yards per rushing attempt.
Limiting Explosive Plays
Another defensive trait that has emerged at Oklahoma State over the past few seasons is that the Cowboys have limited explosive plays from scrimmage by opposing offenses. For the purpose of this note, we'll use 20 yard plays from scrimmage as the definition of an explosive play. Through six games in 2013, OSU has allowed 14 explosive plays from scrimmage (2.3 per game), a mark that ranks second in the nation behind only Florida State's 12. The Cowboys have yielded only two explosive plays total in their last two games vs. Kansas State and TCU.
Hard To Drive On
Oklahoma State's defense has given up points on 17 possessions this year, but four of those opponent scoring drives yielded less than 20 yards of offense and were primarily a result of starting field position. The most prominent examples are a four-play, one-yard field goal drive at West Virginia, a four-play, three-yard field goal drive vs. Lamar and a one-play, 19-yard touchdown drive at UTSA. The point? The Cowboy defense has been difficult to mount long scoring drives on.
Defensive Turnaround
The Oklahoma State defense is faring much better than last year's unit in terms of scoring defense. Entering the Iowa State game, the Cowboys are limiting opponents to 18.3 points per game, representing a significant improvement from last year's average of 28.2 points per game. As it stands right now, the -9.9 points-per-game turnaround is the third-best in school history. OSU went from averaging 24.3 points allowed per game in 1982 to 13.5 points allowed per game in 1983 and went from 29.7 points per game allowed in 1996 to 19.4 points per game allowed in 1997.
Putting Opponents Away Early
Oklahoma State has outscored its first six opponents, 169-61, in the first three quarters of games this year. Additionally, the Cowboys pitched a fourth-quarter shutout against both Mississippi State and Lamar.
Balance, Balance, Balance
Perhaps the signature trait of Oklahoma State teams year in and year out under Mike Gundy is offensive balance. There is no better illustration of that than the 2007 season, when the Cowboys rushed for 3,161 yards and passed for 3,161 yards. A look at the balance of this year's team through six games:
• OSU has 243 passing attempts and 210 rushing attempts.
• OSU has scored 14 touchdowns via the run and 12 touchdowns via the pass.
• OSU has converted 16 third-down plays via the run and 21 third-down plays via the pass.
Spreading the Wealth
Further illustrations of Oklahoma State's offensive balance through six games this season:
• 13 different players have combined to score OSU's 28 touchdowns this year.
• Of those 28 touchdowns, 12 were scored via the pass (to nine different receivers) and 14 were scored via the run (by five different rushers).
• 13 different players caught a pass in the Cowboys' wins at UTSA and over Lamar.
• Of those 13 different players to catch a pass in those two wins, 10 averaged 10 yards or more per reception vs. UTSA and eight averaged 10 yards or more per reception vs. Lamar.
• Oklahoma State has 36 offensive plays that gained 20 yards or more from scrimmage. Those 36 plays were made by 13 different players.
Ball - and Quarterback - Security
Oklahoma State spends a period of each practice on ball security and so far, it seems to be paying dividends, as the Cowboys have committed only nine turnovers in their six games this year.
Speaking of security, OSU's quarterbacks have enjoyed secure surroundings this season, only being sacked 1.2 times per game - a mark that ranks 15th nationally. This is a regular theme for the Cowboys, who have led the Big 12 and ranked among the top 10 nationally in fewest sacks allowed in each of the past four years despite ranking among the national leaders in passing yardage for most of that time frame.
Kickoff Coverage an Overlooked Factor in OSU's Success
Oklahoma State has been effective in the kickoff game, as the Cowboys lead the Big 12 and rank sixth nationally in kickoff coverage by allowing only 16.9 yards per kickoff return. Only five of OSU's 40 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks, but it should be noted that OSU is actually better off without the touchbacks. The average starting field position for opponents following an OSU kickoff this season is the 23 yard line.
To put that into perspective, the average starting field position for opponents following an OSU kickoff last year with all-everything kickoff man Quinn Sharp handling those responsibilities was the 28 yard line.
Speaking of Starting Field Position...
Through six games, Oklahoma State is winning the field position battle. The Cowboys have an average starting field position of their own 37 yard line. OSU's opponents have an average starting field position of their own 27 yard line.
Last Time Out - Oklahoma State 24, TCU 10
Oklahoma State's defense suffocated TCU and the Cowboy special teams produced a punt return touchdown and a timely 50-yard kickoff return to set up a fourth-quarter touchdown that sealed the game in the Cowboys' 24-10 win over TCU.
Playing in front of a school-record crowd of 59,638 in Boone Pickens Stadium that was energized by Homecoming, the Cowboy defense forced four turnovers, highlighted by linebacker Caleb Lavey's fumble recovery and interception.
Josh Stewart got OSU on the board with a school-record 95-yard punt return and the Cowboys never surrendered their advantage, keeping the Horned Frogs at bay from that point.
J.W. Walsh started the contest at quarterback, but gave way to Clint Chelf in the second quarter. Chelf helped the Cowboys to three scoring drives plus two other quality scoring chances that resulted in missed field goals.
Dual Threat
J.W. Walsh can swing a game in OSU's favor with his passing or with his rushing. In week one against Mississippi State, the sophomore rushed for 125 yards and engineered three touchdown drives in leading Oklahoma State to a 21-7 win over Mississippi State in Houston. In week two, Walsh set a school record for completion percentage (min. 20 attempts) and accounted for five touchdowns - four passing and one rushing - as part of OSU's 56-35 win at UTSA. Walsh had more touchdown passes (four) than incomplete passes (three) against UTSA and was honored as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. He is the only Big 12 quarterback with a 300-yard passing game and a 100-yard rushing game on his 2013 season résumé.
Walsh has led the team in rushing in three of OSU's six games this season.
Comparing Walsh To Other Sophomore Quarterbacks
J.W. Walsh is among the elite sophomore signal-callers in the nation. He is one of only four sophomore quarterbacks with 20 or more passing touchdowns and 10 or more rushing touchdowns in his career, joining Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, Oregon's Marcus Mariota and UCLA's Brett Hundley.
Among sophomore quarterbacks, J.W. Walsh trails only Manziel, Mariota, Hundley, Taysom Hill (BYU) and Travis Wilson (Utah) in total offense per game this season.
More on Walsh's Record Showing vs. UTSA
J.W. Walsh connected on 24-of-27 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns against UTSA and etched his name in the OSU record book in the process. His 88.9 completion percentage set a new school record for single-game completion percentage, minimum 20 pass attempts. He added a rushing touchdown as well.
Walsh's 239.20 pass efficiency mark in the contest was good for the fourth-best single-game performance in school history. He started the game by completing 10 consecutive passes, then had two incompletions, then completed 10 consecutive passes again. By the time his day was done at the 9:47 mark of the third quarter, OSU held a 42-7 lead.
Chelf Back Into the Mix in Key Situations
After a solid finish to the 2012 season highlighted by an MVP showing in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, quarterback Clint Chelf earned the title of OSU's opening-day starter this year. He gave way to J.W. Walsh early in the opener and saw only reserve duty in lopsided wins over UTSA and Lamar before he was summoned off the bench in the second quarter of the Cowboys' game against TCU. Chelf completed 10-of-25 passes for 178 yards in helping OSU to victory over the Horned Frogs.
Background on Chelf
After redshirting as a true freshman in 2009, Clint Chelf was OSU's second-team quarterback behind Brandon Weeden in 2010 and 2011. With Weeden selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Chelf, Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh had an open competition during 2012 spring drills to earn the starting quarterback spot. Lunt was named the starter, but was sidelined with an injury early on. Walsh then stepped in and also sustained an injury that opened the door for Chelf to take the reins. Chelf's performance during that time was strong enough for him to hold onto the starting job despite the fact that both Lunt and Walsh were healthy in the Cowboys' final two games of 2012.
Smith Knows His Way To The End Zone
Running back Jeremy Smith continues to display a trait he's shown throughout his career - the ability to find the end zone. Smith's seven rushing touchdowns this year rank second in the Big 12, trailing only the 10 by Baylor's Lache Seastrunk. He rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys' season opening win against Mississippi State, then tacked on three more rushing touchdowns against Lamar and another against Kansas State.
Receivers' Calling Card is Balance
Josh Stewart and Tracy Moore are the leaders of the Oklahoma State receiving corps, but make no mistake; balance is OSU's best weapon when it comes to the passing game. Case in point - 13 different Cowboys caught passes in games against both UTSA and Lamar. Redshirt freshman Jhajuan Seales (20 catches for 270 yards and a touchdown) is emerging as a viable weapon on the outside and Charlie Moore has been dependable, making 16 receptions on 22 targets this year.
Small Stewart Has Big Impact
Standing 5-10 and weighing 185 pounds, Oklahoma State receiver Josh Stewart is not the biggest receiver in the nation, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for with quickness, elusiveness, route-running and good hands. For the second straight year, the junior from Denton, Texas leads OSU in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. Of his 31 receptions this year, 20 have resulted in first downs.
Stewart passed former OSU All-American and current Dallas Cowboy star Dez Bryant on OSU's career receptions list in the Cowboys' win over TCU and is just 26 yards away from becoming only the seventh 2,000-yard receiver in school history this week.
Stewart is Oklahoma State's Mr. Explosive
Josh Stewart has been OSU's most explosive player in 2013, averaging 16.4 yards per touch this season. Stewart ranks second nationally with 23.8 yards per punt return and has returns of 95, 67 yards, 41 yards, 36 yards and 29 yards through six games in 2013. He leads the team with 31 receptions and 473 receiving yards and has also rushed for 38 yards on six carries.
Stewart Sets School, Big 12 Record
Josh Stewart recorded the longest punt return in Oklahoma State and Big 12 history with a 95-yarder in the Cowboys' 24-10 win over TCU. That is the longest punt return for any player in the country this season. He added a 29-yard punt return later in the contest, but his 95-yarder was the one that gave the Cowboys the jolt they needed early in the game. He fielded the punt fading backwards, got a couple key blocks and weaved his way down field, eventually shaking the last would-be tackler at the 10-yard line and sprinting to the goal line.
That score was Stewart's second punt-return touchdown of the season (he had a 67-yarder against Lamar), tying him with Barry Sanders (1987), Darrent Williams (2003) and Dez Bryant (2008) atop the school list for most punt return touchdowns in a season.
Multiple Punt Return Touchdowns This Year
Josh Stewart, Oklahoma State - 2
Kevonte Martin-Manley, Iowa - 2
Bralon Addison, Oregon - 2
Isaiah Burse, Fresno State - 2
Jamison Crowder, Duke - 2
Special On Special Teams
Josh Stewart is one of four members of the 2013 Cowboys with either a kickoff return touchdown or a punt return touchdown in his career, joining Justin Gilbert (five career kickoff return touchdowns), Desmond Roland (one career kickoff return touchdown) and Zack Craig (one career punt return touchdown). No team in America has more players with a special teams touchdown.
Stewart Earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Oklahoma State receiver Josh Stewart earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his performance against Lamar.
Stewart scored on a 67-yard punt return and took a second punt back 41 yards to set up an OSU touchdown in lifting the Cowboys to a 59-3 win over the Cardinals. Stewart finished with 114 punt return yards for the eighth-highest single-game total in OSU history. His 67-yarder marked OSU's first punt return for a touchdown since Josh Cooper had a 66-yarder against Troy on Sept. 11, 2010. It was also OSU's longest punt return since 2009.
This is the first time Stewart has been recognized as the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, though he was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week following last year's game against West Virginia.
Moore of a Good Thing
Senior Tracy Moore joined the OSU career top 10 in both receptions and receiving yards this season. He enters the Iowa State game ranked ninth in school history with 116 receptions and 10th in school history with 1,621 receiving yards.
Moore had a season-high six catches for 52 yards - including an important 26-yard grab on the game-winning drive - against Kansas State and logged a season-best 89 yards on five catches with a touchdown at West Virginia.
The Defensive Line As a Group
The play of the defensive line is among the biggest contributing factors in Oklahoma State's defensive resurgence. Time and time again, the Cowboys are winning the battle in the trenches, thanks largely to Calvin Barnett, James Castleman, Tyler Johnson and Jimmy Bean.
With the defensive line setting the tone, the Cowboy defense averages 6.5 tackles for loss per game this year and has 13 sacks in six contests - 11 of which belong to defensive linemen. Additionally, defensive tackle James Castleman blocked a field goal attempt at West Virginia.
Senior defensive tackle Calvin Barnett commands the most respect and is frequently double-teamed by opposing offensive linemen, but has still managed three tackles for loss, a sack and five quarterback hurries this year.
Senior defensive end Tyler Johnson has been as active as anyone on the OSU defense, recording 26 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, a quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has been a pleasant surprise to this point, registering eight tackles, a sack, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
Lavey A Turnover-Forcing Machine Lately
Linebacker Caleb Lavey spearheaded a dominating defensive performance by Oklahoma State with an interception and a fumble recovery in the Cowboys' 24-10 win over TCU. Led by Lavey, OSU forced four turnovers in the game and limited the Horned Frogs to only 325 yards of offense. Lavey was a central figure in the Cowboys forcing nine three-and-outs and limiting the TCU offense to only five trips into Cowboy territory all game.
The week prior against Kansas State, Lavey registered seven tackles, two tackles for loss, forced a fumble that was recovered by OSU and recorded an interception.
Lavey Earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Oklahoma State senior linebacker Caleb Lavey earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after the Cowboys' season-opening win over Mississippi State. Lavey recorded a team-best 11 tackles in that contest and added two tackles for loss and a half-sack. It was the first such honor of Lavey's career and marks the first time a Cowboy has been recognized with the league's weekly defensive honor since Shaun Lewis in 2011.
The Playmaker
Shaun Lewis has been an important player on Oklahoma State's defense since he stepped on campus in 2010. The senior from Missouri City, Texas has started each of OSU's last 38 games and is one of only two players on the current roster with more than 200 career tackles (his 206 stops trail only Daytawion Lowe's 215). Lewis's 157 career solo tackles ranks him 20th nationally among all active players. He is praised time and time again by his position coach and OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer for his intelligence, leadership and savvy.
Lewis has been a playmaker on the Cowboy defense all year, racking up 29 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered.
Lewis Earned Big 12 Player of the Week
For the second time in his career, Shaun Lewis earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in Oklahoma State's win over Kansas State. In addition to snuffing out K-State's comeback hopes with an interception late in the fourth quarter, Lewis forced a fumble that was scooped up by the Cowboys, recovered a different fumble, led the team with eight tackles and bagged a tackle for loss in OSU's dramatic 33-29 win.
Cornerstone
Senior cornerback Justin Gilbert is one of the faces of the Cowboys' defensive improvement from a year ago. Last year, Gilbert was often asked to play soft coverage as part of OSU's general scheme of minimizing big plays from opposing offenses. However, he has been turned loose in 2013 and is using his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and blazing speed to his advantage, routinely winning his man-to-man battles against opposing receivers. He has three interceptions this season - against Mississippi State, West Virginia and TCU - and three pass break-ups.
Gilbert's 23 career pass break-ups are more than twice the total of any other current OSU player.
Not Your Everyday Transfer
The Cowboy secondary received a boost in the preseason with the addition of Tyler Patmon, a three-year starter at Kansas who graduated early and enrolled at OSU for graduate school. Patmon has been an immediate factor for the Cowboys, breaking up five passes on the year and recording his first interception in an OSU uniform at West Virginia.
Safety First
Free safety Daytawion Lowe joins Calvin Barnett, Caleb Lavey, Shaun Lewis and Justin Gilbert in being part of the leadership of the Cowboy defense. Lowe has been a consistent performer throughout his time in Stillwater and is OSU's active career leader in tackles with 215. Lowe's 155 career solo tackles ranks him 23rd nationally among all active players. His interception against Kansas State was the final dagger applied in the Cowboys' dramatic win over the Wildcats earlier this year.
Battle Tested
Strong safety Shamiel Gary had to win a position battle that lasted through spring, summer and fall camp to keep the starting job that he held last year. His performance through six games this year has backed up the coaching staff's decision to keep him in the starting role, as he has broken up a team-best seven passes, highlighted by a three-PBU performance against TCU. He ranks second on the team with 35 tackles.
Living Inside the 20
Kip Smith has punted 30 times this year, with 13 of those punts downed inside the opponent 20-yard line (.433 percent). He had four punts downed inside the 20 in games against Mississippi State and West Virginia, a mark that ranks third in school history.
Grogan Earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Freshman kicker Ben Grogan earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance against Kansas State.
Grogan kicked four field goals in the victory - a feat made even more impressive by the fact that the game featured eight lead changes and every kick he attempted had significant implications on the outcome of the contest. Grogan's four field goals made and 15 points scored by kicking were both OSU freshman records.
First-Timers
Through six games this year, eight players have made the first starts of their respective careers for Oklahoma State - defensive ends Jimmy Bean and Tyler Johnson, linebacker Ryan Simmons, cornerback Tyler Patmon, offensive linemen Travis Cross, Chris Grisbhy and Paul Lewis and receiver Jhajuan Seales.
All tolled, 23 players have seen the first game action of their OSU careers this year, highlighted by five true freshmen - receiver Marcell Ateman, kicker Ben Grogan, safeties Deric Robertson and Jordan Sterns and running back Rennie Childs.
