Oklahoma State University Athletics
Game Notes - Cowboys Host Kansas
November 04, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 4, 2013
Complete Release in PDF Format
KANSAS
3 p.m. | Nov. 9, 2013 | Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 cap.)
Television: Fox Sports 1 (Justin Kutcher, James Bates and Brady Poppinga)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
National Radio: None
Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 135 | XM Channel 198
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The Basics
The Oklahoma State football team (7-1 overall; 4-1 Big 12) hosts Kansas (2-6 overall; 0-5 Big 12) at 3 p.m. Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium.
On the Air
Saturday's game can be seen live on Fox Sports 1, with Justin Kutcher, James Bates and Brady Poppinga 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. 15 in this week's Associated Press poll and No. 11 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Kansas is unranked.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Be the Cowboys' fourth straight win over Kansas and OSU's ninth in its last 10 meetings with the Jayhawks.
• Be its eighth straight home win, dating back to last season's loss to Texas. That would match the fourth-longest home winning streak in school history.
• Improve the Cowboys to 16-1 in their last 17 games in Boone Pickens Stadium, dating back to the start of the 2011 season.
• Be the Cowboys' fifth straight Big 12 win, marking only the third time since World War II that Oklahoma State has won five straight conference games. The two previous occasions were in 1984 (Big Eight) and 2011 (Big 12).
• Be the Cowboys' 22nd consecutive home win over an unranked opponent, dating back to a loss to Houston in 2009.
• Improve the Cowboys to 31-4 in their last 35 games against unranked opponents, dating back to the start of the 2010 season.
• Improve the Cowboys to 8-1 on the year, marking the fourth time in the last six seasons that OSU has started with an 8-1 record or better through its first nine games. Prior to Mike Gundy taking the head coaching position at OSU in 2005, the Cowboys had only four 8-1 starts in 102 seasons of football. Those starts came in 1944, 1945, 1984 and 1985.
• Give the Cowboys their fifth conference win of the season, clinching a winning record against the Big 12 for the sixth straight season.
Notable Streaks Entering the Kansas Game
• Oklahoma State has scored 20 or more points in 47 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 30 games and in 46 of its last 47 contests.
• Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 17 consecutive games when not committing a turnover.
• The Cowboys have forced at least one turnover in 16 straight games.
• OSU has either won or tied the turnover battle in 16 of its last 19 games.
• Linebacker Shaun Lewis has started 40 straight games. Linebacker Caleb Lavey and safety Daytawion Lowe have each started 34 straight games, respectively.
The Series
Looking at the raw numbers, the Oklahoma State vs. Kansas series is close, with the Cowboys holding a narrow 32-29-2 edge over the Jayhawks in a series that dates back to 1923. It should be noted, however, that Kansas has beaten Oklahoma State only eight times in the last 33 years. The series is tied at 14-14-1 in Stillwater, with the Cowboys having won three of their last four home dates with the Jayhawks. The last meeting between the two played in Boone Pickens Stadium resulted in a 70-28 OSU victory in 2011.
Last Year's Meeting - Oklahoma State 20, Kansas 14
With the threat of severe weather hanging over the game all day, Oklahoma State scored a 20-14 road win over Kansas in a disjointed contest that included a 79-minute lightning delay just before the end of the first quarter.
Thanks in part to the poor weather conditions, neither team was able to throw the ball with a high level of efficiency. Earning his second start in place of the injured Wes Lunt, Oklahoma State quarterback J.W. Walsh was 18-of-29 for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Kansas quarterback Dayne Crist was 10-of-22 for 136 yards with no touchdowns before being benched for good in the third quarter.
With downfield passes essentially removed from both teams' playbooks, both defenses were able to load up the box to stop the run. Cowboy Joseph Randle - facing a Jayhawk defensive front that often included nine men in the box - carried the ball 29 times for 80 yards and Walsh added nine carries for 49 yards and a touchdown.
The OSU defense kept Kansas off the scoreboard for the first three quarters, but the Jayhawk ground attack gained momentum in the fourth quarter and helped KU to a pair of touchdowns in the final stanza that added some late drama to a game that was sloppy from the start.
Kicker/punter Quinn Sharp was perhaps Oklahoma State's most valuable player in the contest, blasting two field-changing punts of 70 yards or longer and connecting on field goals of 42 and 49 yards. Sharp even made a difficult open-field tackle that perhaps saved a touchdown by KU kick returner Tre' Parmalee in the fourth quarter. Additionally, a roughing the punter penalty induced by Sharp in the waning minutes of the game put the final dagger into the Jayhawks' comeback hopes.
Connections
• Oklahoma State cornerback Tyler Patmon was a three-year starter for Kansas before earning his degree a year early and transferring to OSU for graduate school. Patmon started 32 games in three years for the Jayhawks, amassing 142 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 22 passes broken up and six interceptions in a Kansas uniform.
• The Oklahoma State roster includes four native Kansans, highlighted by defensive end Trace Clark (Wichita Collegiate School) and cornerback Jerel Morrow (Emporia HS). Morrow was the top-ranked high school player in Kansas last year and Clark was the No. 2-ranked player in 2011.
• Oklahoma State offensive lineman Brandon Webb and receiver John Goodlett and Kansas offensive lineman Gavin Howard were teammates at Owasso HS in Owasso, Okla.
• Oklahoma State safety Deric Robertson and Kansas quarterback Michael Cummings were teammates at Killeen HS in Killeen, Texas.
• Kansas linebacker Jake Love is a native of Tonkawa, Okla. and played at Tonkawa HS.
• Kansas defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt served as D-Line coach on Bob Simmons' staff at Oklahoma State in 1996.
• Oklahoma State cornerbacks coach Van Malone and Kansas defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt coached together at Texas A&M from 2008-09, with Malone mentoring the Aggie secondary and Wyatt guiding the A&M defensive line.
Sanders, 1988 Team Celebrate 25th Anniversary Saturday
Barry Sanders and members of the 1988 Oklahoma State team will be honored on the field Saturday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of one of the most memorable seasons in school history that was highlighted by Sanders winning the Heisman Trophy.
The Cowboys of 1988 finished the season with a 10-2 record and were No. 11 in the final Associated Press poll. Led by Sanders, receiver Hart Lee Dykes and quarterback Mike Gundy, OSU led the nation in scoring offense with 48.7 points per game and averaged 530.4 yards per contest. Sanders had the greatest Heisman season of all time with 373 carries for 2,850 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and 42 touchdowns. He set 23 single-season NCAA records that season that still stand today.
Sanders will also participate in the Nissan Heisman House Tour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. outside Express Gates 9-12 at Boone Pickens Stadium (on the northeast corner), at the intersection of W. Hall of Fame Avenue and N. Knoblock Street.
Fox Sports 1 College Football Tour In Town
The Fox College Saturday Tour will be on hand for Saturday's OSU-Kansas game.
The tour will be located on the turf field adjacent to the Sherman Smith Training Center and will be open to fans from noon until kickoff.
The tour is an interactive fan experience that includes photo opportunities, tailgate zone, skills challenge/games and the chance to win free FOX Sports 1 gear and gift cards.
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
Quarterback Clint Chelf is the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after leading Oklahoma State to a convincing 52-34 win over No.15 Texas Tech in Lubbock last week. Including Chelf, seven OSU players have combined for eight Big 12 weekly honors this season. The record for most different players to win Big 12 player of the week in a single season is eight, held jointly by Oklahoma State in 2010 and Colorado in 2001.
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
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 third down defense (ninth - .302 pct.), turnovers gained (10th - 22), passes intercepted (15th - seven), red zone defense (14th - .714 pct.), rushing defense (18th - 122.9 ypg), pass efficiency defense (11th - 105.72) and tackles for loss (12th - 7.8 per game). Additionally, the Cowboys are just outside the top 25 in scoring defense, ranking 28th by allowing only 21.4 points per game.
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. OSU has forced 49 three-and-outs in 123 defensive possessions (.398 pct.) spanning eight games, for an average of 6.125 three-and-outs forced per game.
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 three teams in the country (Hawaii, 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 1.22 points allowed per possession. Baylor leads at 0.87 points allowed per possession.
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 152 turnovers forced from 2009 through the present, trailing only Oregon's 154. 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 eight games in 2013, turnovers are back to being a significant factor for OSU, as the Cowboys lead the Big 12 and rank sixth nationally with a +1.3 turnover margin. 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 44-5 when winning the turnover battle. Dating back to the 2008 season, the Cowboys have won 31 of their last 32 games when winning the turnover battle.
Perspective On Yards Per Play
The NCAA statistical rankings show Oklahoma State as ranking 45th in total defense by yielding 378.3 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 12th by surrendering only 4.72 yards per play.
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 153 of 275 first-down plays this year (.556 pct.)
Cowboys on Third Down
Oklahoma State enters the Kansas game leading the Big 12 and ranked ninth nationally by limiting opposing offenses to a .302 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 139 third down plays. Of those 139 plays, only 31 were third and short situations, meaning that 77.7 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 lead the Big 12 and rank 18th nationally by surrendering only 122.9 rushing yards per game. OSU has allowed only seven rushing touchdowns in eight games this year. That mark ranks 15th in the country. The Cowboy defense allows only 3.35 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 eight games in 2013, OSU has allowed 25 explosive plays from scrimmage (3.1 per game), a mark that ranks ninth in the nation.
Defensive Turnaround
The Oklahoma State defense is faring much better than last year's unit in terms of scoring defense. Entering the Kansas game, the Cowboys are limiting opponents to 21.4 points per game. A year ago, the Pokes allowed 28.2 points per game. This ranks as the third-best scoring defense turnaround in school history, trailing only 1982-83 (-10.8 ppg) and 1996-97 (-10.3 ppg).
Locker 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 184-58. The Cowboys have outscored their first eight opponents, 98-41 in the first quarter and 86-17 in the third quarter.
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 eight games:
• OSU has 312 rushing attempts and 304 passing attempts.
• 15 different players have combined to score OSU's 43 touchdowns this year.
• Of those 43 touchdowns, 15 were scored via the pass (to nine different receivers) and 24 were scored via the run (by five different rushers).
• 13 different players caught a pass in the Cowboys' wins at UTSA and over Lamar.
• Oklahoma State has 45 offensive plays that gained 20 yards or more from scrimmage. Those 45 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 12 turnovers in their eight games this year. OSU has lost only three fumbles - a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks 11th nationally.
Speaking of security, OSU's quarterbacks have enjoyed secure surroundings this season, only being sacked 0.88 times per game - a mark that leads the Big 12 ranks 11th 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.
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 fifth-best total in the country.
The Pokes rank fifth nationally with 17.45 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 fifth nationally in kickoff coverage by allowing only 16.80 yards per kickoff return. Only 16 of OSU's 57 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 eight 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 52, No. 15 Texas Tech 34
Oklahoma State raced out to a 21-0 lead to start its game at No. 15 Texas Tech and never surrendered its advantage in claiming a 52-34 win over the Red Raiders in front of a record crowd at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock.
The Cowboys rushed for 281 yards and five touchdowns, forced three Texas Tech turnovers, blocked a punt and returned a punt to the Red Raider 11 yard line to position themselves for success. However, perhaps the biggest deciding factor was red zone execution, as the Cowboys were six of six in the red zone with six touchdowns, while TTU was able to muster only two touchdowns and two field goals in its seven red zone trips.
Quarterback Clint Chelf was very effective in completing 18-of-34 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, but his contributions on the ground were particularly valuable, as he carried six times for 88 yards with two more touchdowns, highlighted by 67-yard scoring run that was a crushing blow to Texas Tech midway through the third quarter.
The win was Oklahoma State's fifth straight over Texas Tech and made the Cowboys the first team to beat the Red Raiders three straight times in Lubbock since Nebraska did it in 1994, 1996 and 2000.
Win At Texas Tech Provided An OSU First
When Oklahoma State beat No. 15 Texas Tech in Lubbock, 52-34, it marked the first time in the 112-year history of the program that the Cowboys scored 50 points or more in consecutive road games. The week prior, OSU beat Iowa State in Ames, 58-27.
Dual Threat
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.
Following the win over TCU, Chelf was tabbed as OSU's starting quarterback the next week and led the Cowboys to a 58-27 win on the road at Iowa State. He threw a first-quarter touchdown pass to Charlie Moore, but did the bulk of his damage on the ground, rushing for a career-high 85 yards on nine attempts.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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. Roland's 219 rushing yards marked the third-most of any player in the country that week.
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 two games vs. Iowa State and Texas Tech - the first two starts of his career - Roland has scored seven rushing touchdowns. He has nine on the year, a mark that ranks second in the Big 12 and 28th in the nation.
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 eight rushing touchdowns this year rank third in the Big 12, trailing only the 11 by Baylor's Lache Seastrunk and the nine by Desmond Roland. 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 (25 catches for 363 yards and a touchdown) is emerging as a viable weapon on the outside and Charlie Moore has been dependable, making 19 receptions on 29 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 have 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 fourth nationally with 19.2 yards per punt return and has returns of 95 yards, 67 yards, 46 yards, 41 yards, 36 yards and 29 yards through eight games in 2013. He leads the team with 40 receptions and 510 receiving yards and has also rushed for 42 yards on eight carries. He averages 117.5 all-purpose yards per game - a mark that ranks seventh in the Big 12 and 52nd nationally.
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. 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.
Stewart is one of only five players in the country with more than one punt return touchdown this season, joining Oregon's Bralon Addison, Iowa's Kevonte Martin-Manley, Fresno State's Isaiah Burse and Duke's Jamison Crowder.
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.
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 Kansas game ranked ninth in school history with 122 receptions and ninth in school history with 1,695 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. He earned the team's offensive MVP award after helping lift the Cowboys over No. 15 Texas Tech in Lubbock.
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 7.8 tackles for loss per game this year (a mark that ranks 12th nationally) and has 17 sacks in eight contests - 13 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 five tackles for loss, a sack 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 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, a quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles through eight games. 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. In the last five games vs. West Virginia, Kansas State, TCU, Iowa State and Texas Tech, Lavey has averaged 7.6 tackles, 1.4 tackles for loss and 1.0 turnovers forced per game.
On the year, Lavey averages 1.3 tackles for loss per game, a mark that ranks third in the Big 12 and 37th nationally.
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 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 40 games and is one of only two players on the current roster with more than 200 career tackles (his 214 stops trail only Daytawion Lowe's 232). Lewis's 164 career solo tackles ranks him 19th 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 37 tackles, five 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
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 four interceptions this season, a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks 10th nationally. His interception against Iowa State resulted in the first pick-six of his career.
Gilbert's nine career interceptions rank him 15th among all active players and his 24 career pass break-ups are the most for any Cowboy.
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 both Kansas State and Texas Tech.
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 232. Lowe's 177 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 eight 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 Kansas game, Gary is fourth in the Big 12 with 1.12 passes defended per game this season. Gary, who played the first two seasons of his career at Wyoming, has averaged 4.23 solo tackles per game during his career, a mark that ranks him 25th nationally among all active players.
Living Inside the 20
Kip Smith has punted 43 times this year, with 16 of those punts downed inside the opponent 20-yard line (.372 percent). - a mark that ranks fourth in the Big 12. 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 eight games this year, 10 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, running back Desmond Roland, offensive linemen Travis Cross, Chris Grisbhy, Brandon Garrett and Paul Lewis and receiver Jhajuan Seales.
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.
