Oklahoma State University Athletics
Game Notes - Cowboys Host Showdown With Baylor
November 18, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 18, 2013
Complete Release in PDF Format
BAYLOR
7 p.m. CT | Nov. 23, 2013 | Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 cap.)
Television: ABC (Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Heather Cox)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
National Radio: None
Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 91 | XM Channel 91
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The Basics
The Oklahoma State football team (9-1 overall; 6-1 Big 12) hosts Baylor (9-0 overall; 6-0 Big 12) at 7 p.m. CT Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium.
On the Air
Saturday's game can be seen live on ABC Sports, with Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Heather Cox 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 ranked No. 11 in this week's Associated Press poll, No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 10 in the BCS Standings. Baylor is No. 3 by the AP and No. 4 by the coaches and the BCS.
ESPN's College Gameday In Town
ESPN's College Gameday program originates from Oklahoma State this week, marking the fourth time that the Cowboys have hosted the wildly popular national pre-game show.
Stillwater previously hosted College Gameday for the 2004, 2008 and 2010 installations of Bedlam. In addition to hosting Gameday those three years, OSU also played in the featured College Gameday game in 2003 (Bedlam in Norman).
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Improve the Cowboys to 9-3 in their last 12 games against ranked opponents.
• Be its fourth over a team ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll under coach Mike Gundy. The Cowboys beat No. 3 Missouri in Columbia in 2008, beat No. 8 Texas A&M in College Station in 2011 and beat No. 4 Stanford in the 2012 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
• Be its ninth straight home win, dating back to last season's loss to Texas. That would match the second-longest home winning streak in school history.
• Improve the Cowboys to 17-1 in their last 18 games in Boone Pickens Stadium, dating back to the start of the 2011 season.
• Be the Cowboys' seventh in their last eight meetings with Baylor and improve OSU to 16-2 in its last 18 contests against the Bears.
• Be the Cowboys' 11th consecutive home win over Baylor, dating back to 1972. Baylor's last win in Stillwater came in 1939.
• Be the Cowboys' 41st win in the last four seasons and their 50th in the last five seasons.
• Be the Cowboys' seventh straight Big 12 win, marking only the second time in school history that OSU has won seven straight conference games. The Cowboys won 10 straight Missouri Valley Conference games from 1929-34 and seven straight Big 12 games in 2011.
• Improve the Cowboys to 10-1 on the year, marking the third time in the last four seasons that OSU has hit the 10-win mark. Prior to Mike Gundy taking over as head coach in 2005, Oklahoma State had three 10-win seasons in 102 seasons of football - 1984, 1987 and 1988. Gundy was the starting quarterback on the 1987 and 1988 squads.
• Give the Cowboys their seventh conference win of the year, marking only the second time in school history that OSU has won seven conference games in a season. The Cowboys won eight Big 12 games in 2011.
Notable Streaks Entering the Baylor Game
• Oklahoma State has scored 20 or more points in 49 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2010 season. That streak is the longest active streak in the country and 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 32 games and in 48 of its last 49 contests.
• Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 18 consecutive games when not committing a turnover.
• The Cowboys have forced at least one turnover in 18 straight games.
• OSU has either won or tied the turnover battle in 18 of its last 21 games.
• Dating back to the 2008 season, the Cowboys have won 33 of their last 34 games when winning the turnover battle.
• Linebacker Shaun Lewis has started 42 straight games. Linebacker Caleb Lavey and safety Daytawion Lowe have each started 36 straight games, respectively.
The Series
Oklahoma State holds an 18-13 advantage over Baylor all-time, but is 15-2 in its last 17 games against the Bears. OSU is 11-5 against Baylor at home and has won 10 straight over the Bears in Stillwater. Mike Gundy is 6-2 as a head coach against Baylor and Art Briles is 2-4 against the Cowboys, with one of those two wins coming while he was at Houston in 2006.
Last Year's Meeting - Baylor 41, Oklahoma State 34
Baylor jumped out to a 24-3 lead early in the second quarter and never looked back in its 41-34 win over No. 24 Oklahoma State at Floyd Casey Stadium.
The game pitted two of the nation's top offenses, and it appeared as if the Bears would run away with the contest after scoring on five of their first six offensive possessions. However, the Cowboy defense solved the Baylor attack and limited the Bears to only a single field goal over their next five possessions, enabling OSU to make it a one-score game at 34-27 with 5:30 remaining in the contest following J.W. Walsh's four-yard touchdown run to cap an 11-play, 88-yard drive.
With the momentum swinging in favor of the Cowboys in the second half and tension rising in the stadium, Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk delivered the final blow when he broke a 76-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play following Walsh's score.
The Cowboys added a late Clint Chelf-to-David Glidden touchdown with 1:16 left, but when the Pokes were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick, the outcome was sealed.
Connections
• Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy served as Baylor's quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator under head coach Chuck Reedy in 1996.
• Oklahoma State receivers coach Kasey Dunn served as Baylor's receivers coach and special teams coordinator under head coach Guy Morriss in 2007.
• Oklahoma State offensive line coach Joe Wickline served as Baylor's offensive line coach under Roberts in 1997 and 1998.
• Oklahoma State defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements and Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Bennett worked together at Kansas State from 1999-01. Clements was a student assistant and then a graduate assistant during that time, working under defensive coordinator Bennett.
• Baylor linebackers coach Jim Gush served on that same K-State staff with Clements and Bennett. He coached the Wildcat linebackers.
• Oklahoma State receiver Jhajuan Seales, Baylor defensive back Terrence Singleton and Baylor offensive lineman Tre'Von Armstead were all teammates at Port Arthur Memorial HS.
• Oklahoma State receiver Marcell Ateman and Baylor receiver Quan Jones were teammates at Wylie East HS in Wylie, Texas.
• Baylor receiver Antwan Goodley and Oklahoma State offensive lineman Grant Canis both played at Midland HS in Midland, Texas.
• Oklahoma State cornerback Taylor Lewis and Baylor linebacker Taylor Young were teammates at DeSoto HS in DeSoto, Texas.
• Baylor nickelback Collin Brence was a high school teammate of Cowboys Taylor May and Richard Lagow at Plano HS.
• Baylor tight end Rhett Butler and Oklahoma State receiver Brendan Fagan were teammates at Marcus HS in Flower Mound, Texas.
• Baylor defensive end Chris McAllister and Oklahoma State safety Tre Flowers both attended Judson HS in Converse, Texas.
• Oklahoma State fullback and special teamer Derek Branson, Baylor defensive end Jamal Palmer and Baylor kicker Jared Symmank were all teammates at Boyd HS in McKinney, Texas.
• Baylor receiver Tuswani Copeland is from Lawton, Okla., and attended MacArthur HS.
Oklahoma State's Texas Flavor
Recruiting the state of Texas has been a high priority for Oklahoma State football since Mike Gundy took over at his alma mater in 2005. Oklahoma State annually has more players on its roster from Texas than any other program outside of the Lone Star State. This year's totals:
Oklahoma State - 71
Oklahoma - 43
Louisiana-Monroe - 38
Missouri - 36
New Mexico - 31
Tulsa - 29
Kansas State - 27
Kansas - 26
Arkansas - 20
Iowa State - 20
OSU is the Nation's Only 500-300 Team
Oklahoma State is the only team in the nation to have a game with 500 passing yards and a game with 300 rushing yards this season - and both of those came on the road. The Pokes hit UTSA for 518 passing yards on Sept. 7 and battered Iowa State with 348 rushing yards on Oct. 26.
Awards For Everyone
Eight different OSU players have combined for 10 Big 12 weekly honors this season, tying the Big 12 record for most different players from a single team to earn Big 12 weekly honors during the course of a season. Colorado had eight players recognized a total of eight times in 2001 and Oklahoma State had eight players recognized a total of nine times in 2010.
Oklahoma State Players to Earn Big 12 Weekly Honors in 2013
Sept. 2 - Caleb Lavey, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 9 - J.W. Walsh, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 16 - Josh Stewart, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Oct. 7 - Shaun Lewis, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 7 - Ben Grogan, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Oct. 21 - Josh Stewart, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Oct. 28 - Desmond Roland, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 4 - Clint Chelf, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 11 - Justin Gilbert, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Nov. 18 - Justin Gilbert, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Gilbert Can Set NCAA Career Record
Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert leads all active players with six kickoff return touchdowns in his career. He is the Big 12 all-time leader in that category and is just one kickoff return touchdown shy of the NCAA career record of seven, held jointly by Clemson's C.J. Spiller (2006-09) and Houston's Tyron Carrier (2008-11).
Gilbert enters the Baylor game leading the Big 12 and ranked 11th nationally with 28.2 yards per kickoff return.
Many Happy Returns Result in Non-Offensive Touchdowns
Oklahoma State has scored a touchdown on a kickoff return (Justin Gilbert vs. Kansas), two punt returns (both by Josh Stewart), two interception returns (both by Gilbert) and a fumble return (Tyler Johnson at Iowa State) this season. The Cowboys have scored 24 non-offensive touchdowns since the start of the 2010 season.
Oklahoma State's Non-Offensive Touchdowns Since 2010
Justin Blackmon 7 yd blocked punt return vs. Washington State 2010
Josh Cooper 66 yd punt return vs. Troy 2010
James Thomas 63 yd fumble recovery vs. Texas A&M 2010
Johnny Thomas 26 yd interception return at Kansas State 2010
Justin Gilbert 93 yd kickoff return vs. Baylor 2010
Michael Harrison 5 yd blocked punt return at Kansas 2010
Shaun Lewis 52 yd interception return vs. Oklahoma 2010
Justin Gilbert 89 yd kickoff return vs. Oklahoma 2010
Markelle Martin 61 yd interception return vs. Arizona 2010
Justin Gilbert 96 yd kickoff return at Tulsa 2011
Justin Gilbert 100 yd kickoff return at Texas 2011
Josh Stewart 3 yd fumble recovery at Texas Tech 2011
Shaun Lewis 70 yd interception return at Iowa State 2011
Richetti Jones 5 yd fumble recovery vs. Oklahoma 2011
Desmond Roland 80 yd kickoff return at Kansas State 2012
Justin Gilbert 96 yd kickoff return vs. West Virginia 2012
Zack Craig 30 yd blocked punt return vs. Texas Tech 2012
Daytawion Lowe 37 yd fumble return vs. Purdue 2012
Josh Stewart, 67 yd punt return vs. Lamar 2013
Josh Stewart, 95 yd punt return vs. TCU 2013
Justin Gilbert, 31 yd interception return at Iowa State 2013
Tyler Johnson, 54 yd fumble recovery at Iowa State 2013
Justin Gilbert, 100 yd kickoff return vs. Kansas 2013
Justin Gilbert, 43 yd interception return at Texas 2013
Strong on Both Sides of the Ball
Oklahoma State is one of only five teams in the country that rank in the top 15 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense, joining Baylor, Florida State, Ohio State and Oregon. The combined record of those five teams is 47-2.
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 passes intercepted (1st - 19), turnovers gained (seventh - 26), red zone defense (ninth - .706 pct.), third down defense (12th - .320 pct.), scoring defense (14th - 19.0 ppg), tackles for loss (10th - 7.9 per game) and pass efficiency defense (10th - 103.00).
Turnovers are Back on the Menu
Forcing turnovers has been at the core of Oklahoma State's defensive identity for years. In fact, OSU leads the nation with 156 turnovers forced from 2009 through the present. 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 10 games in 2013, turnovers are back to being a significant factor for OSU, as the Cowboys lead the Big 12 and rank fourth nationally with a +1.3 turnover margin. The Pokes lead the nation with 19 passes intercepted and are seventh nationally with 26 turnovers gained. OSU has lost only three fumbles on the year - a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally - and has committed only 13 turnovers this year to rank second in the league and 29th nationally.
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 18-0 when it doesn't commit a turnover in a game and is 46-5 when winning the turnover battle. Dating back to the 2008 season, the Cowboys have won 33 of their last 34 games when winning the turnover battle.
Perspective On Yards Per Play
The NCAA statistical rankings show Oklahoma State as ranking 40th nationally in total defense by yielding 373.1 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 much better, ranking ninth by surrendering only 4.66 yards per play.
Defense Stout Per Possession
The Oklahoma State defense faces a challenge in that it is partnered with an offense that plays at such a high tempo that it ends up spending more time on the field than all but four teams in the country (Houston, Oregon, Wyoming and Indiana). As a result, statistics such as total defense, points allowed, rushing yards allowed and passing yards allowed are not true indicators of how the Cowboy defense performs in a given game. When the OSU defense is analyzed on a per-possession basis, it ranks second in the Big 12 by averaging 1.10 points allowed per possession.
Three and Out
Oklahoma State's defense excels at forcing three-and-outs. A three-and-out is defined as a series in which the offense either punts after three plays or commits a turnover before getting a first down. Entering the Baylor game, OSU has forced 58 three-and-outs in 153 defensive possessions (.379 pct.) spanning 10 games, for an average of 5.8 three-and-outs forced per game.
Putting Opponents Behind The Chains
Part of Oklahoma State's defensive success stems from solid play on first down. The Cowboys have limited opposing offenses to three yards or less on 185 of 343 first-down plays this year (.539 pct.)
Cowboys on Third Down
Oklahoma State enters the Baylor game leading the Big 12 and ranked 12th nationally by limiting opposing offenses to a .320 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 178 third down plays. Of those 178 plays, only 41 were third and short situations, meaning that 77 percent of OSU's third down plays defended have been third and medium or third and long situations. In their last four games, the Cowboys have limited Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas and Texas to 1-for-37 on third and long situations (seven yards or more).
Run Stuffers
One area where Oklahoma State's defense has been particularly effective is against the run, where the Cowboys rank third in the Big 12 and 27th nationally by surrendering only 133.6 rushing yards per game. OSU has allowed only eight rushing touchdowns in 10 games this year. That mark ranks 13th in the country. The Cowboy defense allows only 3.47 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 10 games in 2013, OSU has allowed 30 explosive plays from scrimmage (3.0 per game), a mark that ranks ninth in the nation.
Efficiency Stats Tell A Different Story Than Traditional Stats
In yet another illustration of how traditional measures such as pass defense can be misleading, Oklahoma State ranks seventh out of 10 teams in the Big 12 and is 81st nationally by allowing 239.5 passing yards per game, but is second in the Big 12 and 10th nationally in pass efficiency defense, limiting opposing passers to a 103.00 efficiency rating.
Why such a substantial difference in two statistical areas that should correspond more closely? Because of the fact that the Cowboy offense - and most of the other offenses in the Big 12, for that matter - play at a high tempo and require the defense to defend more plays and more possessions per game.
Defensive Turnaround
The Oklahoma State defense is faring much better than last year's unit in terms of scoring defense. Entering the Baylor game, the Cowboys are limiting opponents to 19.0 points per game. A year ago, the Pokes allowed 28.2 points per game. This represents the third-biggest improvement from one season to the next in school history.
Room Talks Are Working
Whatever Mike Gundy and his coaching staff are saying to the team in the locker room is working. Coming out of the locker room (the first and third quarters of games), Oklahoma State is outscoring the opposition by a combined margin of 215-67. The Cowboys have outscored their first 10 opponents, 119-44 in the first quarter and 96-23 in the third quarter.
Keeping The Scoreboard Operator Busy
Oklahoma State averages 40.4 points per game - a mark that ranks second in the Big 12 and is 13th nationally. Including this year, the Cowboys have averaged 40 or more points per game in five of the past six seasons.
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 10 games:
• OSU has 383 rushing attempts and 365 passing attempts.
• 15 different Oklahoma State players have scored a touchdown this season.
• 13 different players caught a pass in the Cowboys' wins at UTSA and over Lamar.
• Four different Cowboys have rushed for 290 yards or more this year.
• For the second straight year, OSU has two different 1,000-yard passers.
• Nine different players have caught a touchdown pass this year. Six of those nine players have more than one receiving touchdown and nobody has more than five touchdown catches.
• Oklahoma State has 55 offensive plays that gained 20 yards or more from scrimmage. Those 50 plays were made by 14 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 13 turnovers in their 10 games this year. OSU has lost only three fumbles - a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally.
Speaking of security, OSU's quarterbacks have enjoyed secure surroundings this season, only being sacked 0.8 times per game - a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth 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 five years despite ranking among the national leaders in passing yardage for most of that time frame.
Plays Coming From Special Teams
Oklahoma State is getting plays some several of its different special teams units. The Cowboys have blocked three kicks this year (a field goal attempt at West Virginia, a PAT attempt at Iowa State and a punt at Texas Tech). OSU's three blocked kicks ranks as the 12th-best total in the country.
The Cowboys rank second in the Big 12 and ninth nationally with 25.82 yards per kickoff return, headlined by a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Justin Gilbert against Kansas.
The Pokes rank eighth nationally with 15.1 yards per punt return. OSU has returned two punts for touchdowns and two other punts that gave the Cowboys starting field position inside the opponent's 20 yard line - and that doesn't count a blocked punt that was recovered at the 15 yard line against Texas Tech.
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 20th nationally in kickoff coverage by allowing only 18.39 yards per kickoff return. Only 19 of OSU's 73 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 10 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 38, No. 23 Texas 13
Playing without top playmaker Josh Stewart, Oklahoma State beat No. 23 Texas in Austin, 38-13.
Justin Gilbert intercepted two passes, returning one 43 yards for a touchdown just before halftime to give the Cowboys a 28-10 lead and effectively put the game out of reach. Quarterback Clint Chelf rushed for a pair of first-half touchdowns and passed for an additional two scores to spur the Cowboy offense. Chelf completed 16-of-22 passes for 197 yards and two scores and rushed for a career-high 95 yards in the contest.
The win was Oklahoma State's third straight in Austin, making OSU only the third team since World War II to beat Texas on three consecutive trips to the Longhorns' home turf.
Wins at Iowa State, Texas Tech Set a Program First
When Oklahoma State beat Iowa State, 58-27, and No. 15 Texas Tech, 52-34, in consecutive weeks, it marked the first time in the 112-year history of the program that the Cowboys scored 50 points or more in back-to-back road games.
Dual Threat
Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf has helped the Cowboys with both his arm and his legs this year, Through 10 games, the senior signal-caller has passed for 1,222 yards and 11 touchdowns and has rushed for 325 yards and five touchdowns.
Chelf enters the Baylor game ranked third in the Big 12 with 13.1 yards per pass completion.
Chelf Earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week vs. Texas Tech
Clint Chelf was singled out as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after he was responsible for four touchdowns (two passing and two rushing) in the Cowboys' 52-34 win over No. 15 Texas Tech in Lubbock. His 67-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the signature play of the game and was the crushing blow that put the contest out of reach in OSU's favor. Chelf's 67-yard run was the longest for an OSU quarterback since Brent Blackman had a 72-yard run in 1972.
Chelf completed 18-of-34 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns and carried six times for 88 yards with two scores in leading the Cowboys to the best road win for any team in the Big 12 this season. His 93.4 adjusted QBR against Texas Tech was the best for any Big 12 quarterback and was the seventh-best mark in the country that particular week.
Chelf Made Plays To Lift Cowboys Over Longhorns
Clint Chelf accounted for four touchdowns (two rushing and two passing), rushed for a career-high 95 yards and had a QBR of 97.3 (the second-best mark of any quarterback in the country that week) in Oklahoma State's 38-13 road win at No. 23 Texas. Chelf completed 16-of-22 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
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 in the regular season. 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.
Dual Threat, Part Two
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 the Bulldogs 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 was OSU's leading rusher in three games this year.
Comparing Walsh To Other Sophomore Quarterbacks
J.W. Walsh is among the elite sophomore signal-callers in the nation. He is one of only five 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, UCLA's Brett Hundley and BYU's Taysom Hill.
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.
Roland Explodes on the Scene, Earns Big 12 Player of the Week Honor
Making the first start of his career, Oklahoma State running back Desmond Roland rushed for 219 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries to lead the Cowboys to a 58-27 win over Iowa State in Ames. He was honored as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for his outburst. Roland's 219 rushing yards and four touchdowns both represent the top marks for any Big 12 player in a game this year. His 219 rushing yards were the most for an Oklahoma State back in a road game against a Big 12 opponent since Vernand Morency rushed for 269 yards at Kansas in 2003.
Rollin' with Roland
Desmond Roland turned in a workmanlike performance in the Cowboys' win at No. 15 Texas Tech, carrying 31 times for 96 yards and three touchdowns against the Red Raiders. It marked the first time this season that an OSU back carried the ball 30 or more times in a game.
In the past four games vs. Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas and Texas (the first four starts of his career), Roland has scored nine touchdowns - eight rushing and one receiving. He has 10 rushing touchdowns on the year, a mark that ranks third in the Big 12 and 34th in the country.
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 nine rushing touchdowns this year rank fifth in the Big 12 and 52nd nationally. 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.
Smith ranks sixth on Oklahoma State's career rushing touchdowns list with 34. He is three away from tying two-time consensus All-American Kendall Hunter for fifth.
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 (29 catches for 419 yards and a touchdown) is emerging as a viable weapon on the outside and Charlie Moore has been dependable, making 26 receptions on 39 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 and receiving yards. Of his 40 receptions this year, 21 resulted in first downs.
Stewart passed former OSU All-American and current Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant on OSU's career receptions list in the Cowboys' win over TCU and he became only the seventh 2,000-yard receiver in school history as part of the Cowboys' win at No. 15 Texas Tech.
Stewart is Oklahoma State's Mr. Explosive
Josh Stewart ranks fifth nationally with 18.2 yards per punt return and has returns of 95 yards, 67 yards, 46 yards, 41 yards, 36 yards and 29 yards through 10 games in 2013. He leads the team with 40 receptions and 510 receiving yards and has also rushed for 42 yards on eight carries.
Stewart Sets School, Big 12 Record to Earn Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
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.
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.
Stewart is one of only nine players in the country with more than one punt return touchdown this year.
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 (six 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.
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 Baylor game ranked eighth in school history with 130 receptions and ninth in school history with 1,795 receiving yards.
Moore has at least one touchdown reception in each of OSU's last four games and leads the squad with five touchdown grabs on the year.
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 7.9 tackles for loss per game this year (a mark that ranks 10th nationally) and has 21 sacks in 10 contests - 15.5 of which belong to defensive linemen. Additionally, defensive tackle James Castleman blocked a field goal attempt at West Virginia and a point-after attempt at Iowa State.
Barnett a Presence in the Middle
Senior defensive tackle Calvin Barnett commands attention and is frequently double-teamed by opposing offensive linemen, but has still managed 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries this year. Though his stats may not reveal it, his ability to open up lanes for the other members of the Cowboy front seven has been a substantial factor in OSU's defensive resurgence this year.
Man On Fire
Senior defensive end Tyler Johnson has been as active as anyone on the OSU defense, recording 40 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, a quarterback hurry and three forced fumbles (a mark that ranks 17th nationally). His 54-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the second half of OSU's 58-27 win over Iowa State in Ames was one of the team's signature moments of the season to date.
Lavey Producing At A High Level
Linebacker Caleb Lavey has been a force in the middle of the Oklahoma State defense. The senior from Celina, Texas leads the team with 76 tackles and 11.0 tackles for loss. He is sixth in the Big 12 and 39th nationally with 5.3 solo tackles per game.
Lavey's four interceptions and 1.05 tackles for loss per game lead all Big 12 linebackers. His interception total ranks him 22nd nationally. No linebacker in America has more interceptions than Lavey.
Lavey Earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Mississippi State
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 marked 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 42 games and his 230 career tackles trail only Daytawion Lowe's 243 among active Cowboys. Lewis's 177 career solo tackles ranks him 16th 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 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions, two fumbles forced, a fumble recovered, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
Lewis Earned Big 12 Player of the Week vs. Kansas State
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.
Gilbert has six interceptions this season, a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally. He has two pick-sixes on the year (at Iowa State and at Texas). Gilbert's 11 career interceptions rank him ninth among all active players and his 25 career pass break-ups are the most for any Cowboy.
Gilbert Keyed Win At Texas
Justin Gilbert intercepted two passes and returned one 43 yards for a touchdown to lead OSU's 38-13 win over No. 23 Texas in Austin. He also had nine tackles and a pass breakup in the win.
Gilbert A Threat To Score With Offense On The Sideline
Justin Gilbert has three non-offensive touchdowns this year; a 31-yard interception return at Iowa State, a 100-yard kickoff return vs. Kansas and a 43-yard interception return at Texas. He has eight non-offensive touchdowns in his career. The list:
93 yd kickoff return vs. Baylor 2010
89 yd kickoff return vs. Oklahoma 2010
96 yd kickoff return at Tulsa 2011
100 yd kickoff return at Texas 2011
96 yd kickoff return vs. West Virginia 2012
31 yd interception return at Iowa State 2013
100 yd kickoff return vs. Kansas 2013
43 yd interception return at Texas 2013
Gilbert Was Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Kansas
Justin Gilbert earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors after he returned the opening kickoff of the game 100 yards for a touchdown in the Cowboys' 42-6 win over Kansas. Gilbert's score - the sixth kickoff return touchdown of his career - gave him sole possession of the conference's career record, makes him the active leader among all NCAA players and leaves him just one kickoff return touchdown shy of tying the NCAA record of seven, held jointly by Clemson's C.J. Spiller (2006-09) and Houston's Tyron Carrier (2008-11).
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 eight passes on the year and recording his first interception in an OSU uniform at West Virginia. He started against Kansas State, Texas Tech, Kansas and Texas.
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 243. Lowe's 187 career solo tackles ranks him 12th 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 10 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 nine passes, highlighted by a three-PBU performance against TCU.
Entering the Baylor game, Gary is eighth in the Big 12 with 1.00 passes defended per game this season. Gary, who played the first two seasons of his career at Wyoming, has averaged 4.18 solo tackles per game during his career, a mark that ranks him 28th nationally among all active players.
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 10 games this year, 13 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, safety Lyndell Johnson, running back Desmond Roland, offensive linemen Travis Cross, Chris Grisbhy, Brandon Garrett and Paul Lewis, tight end Zac Veatch and receivers Jhajuan Seales and David Glidden.
All told, 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.
