Oklahoma State University Athletics
Game Notes - Cowboys Host K-State
September 30, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Sept. 30, 2013
Complete Release in PDF Format
KANSAS STATE
2:30 p.m. CT | Oct. 5, 2013 | Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 cap.)
Television: ABC (Bob Wischusen, Rod Gilmore and Quint Kessenich)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
National Radio: None
Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 117 | XM Channel 191
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The Basics
The last two Big 12 champions clash when the Oklahoma State football team (3-1 overall; 0-1 Big 12) hosts Kansas State (2-2 overall; 0-1 Big 12) at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium. The Cowboys won the conference crown outright in 2011 and the Wildcats claimed the crown in 2012.
On the Air
Saturday's game can be seen live on ABC, with Bob Wischusen, Rod Gilmore and Quint Kessenich 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 is ranked No. 21 in this week's Associated Press poll and is No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Kansas State is unranked.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Be its fourth in the last five meetings with Kansas State and its fifth in the last seven contests against the Wildcats.
• Be its sixth straight home win, dating back to last season's loss to Texas.
• Improve the Cowboys to 7-1 in games following a loss since 2010.
• Improve the Cowboys to 14-1 in their last 15 games in Boone Pickens Stadium, dating back to the start of the 2011 season.
• Improve the Cowboys to 20-8 all-time over the Wildcats in Stillwater.
• Improve the Cowboys to 27-4 in their last 31 games against unranked opponents.
An Oklahoma State Loss Would...
• Be only its second in its last 15 games played in Boone Pickens Stadium, dating back to the start of the 2011 season.
• Mark only the second time since the start of the 2010 season that OSU has lost two straight games. The only other time that has happened was the final two Big 12 games of 2012, when the Cowboys lost back-to-back contests at Baylor and at Oklahoma.
• Be only its fifth loss to an unranked opponent since the start of the 2010 season.
The Series
Oklahoma State holds a 36-23 advantage all-time over Kansas State and a 19-8 record against the Wildcats in Stillwater. The Cowboys have won four of the last six overall meetings and each of the last three played in Boone Pickens Stadium.
Playing At Home - A Rare Commodity
Saturday's game against Kansas State marks only the second time in Oklahoma State's last eight contests that the Cowboys will play in front of their home crowd.
When the off-season is factored in, the Cowboys will have played one home game (vs. Lamar) in the 325-day span between their game vs. Texas Tech on Nov. 17 of last year and Saturday's clash with the Wildcats.
Last Year's Meeting - No. 3/3 Kansas State 44, RV/No. 24 Oklahoma State 30
Poor play in special teams and losing the turnover battle, 5-0, were two of the biggest culprits in Oklahoma State losing to No. 3 Kansas State, 44-30 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The Wildcats scored two non-offensive touchdowns - an interception return by Allen Chapman and a kickoff return by Tyler Lockett - and added a touchdown and two field goals on drives that started in OSU territory thanks to a lost Cowboy fumble and long kickoff and punt returns, respectively.
OSU quarterback Wes Lunt was knocked out of the game early in the third quarter, and with backup J.W. Walsh already out with an injury of his own, third-teamer Clint Chelf was thrust into the lineup and performed well in the first significant game action of his career. Chelf completed 16-of-27 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown and drove the Cowboys to the K-State eight yard line down two touchdowns with two minutes left in the game before throwing an interception in the end zone that sealed the outcome.
Connections
• Much of the career of Oklahoma State defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements was spent under the tutelage of Bill Snyder at Kansas State. During Clements' 16 combined years as a player, staffer and full-time assistant coach at K-State, the Wildcats won two Big 12 championships, four Big 12 North championships, won nine or more games in a season 11 times and won 10 or more games in a season nine times. Clements played defensive end at K-State from 1994-98. He was a member of five bowl teams with the Wildcats, highlighted by trips to the Cotton and Fiesta Bowls. Clements graduated from Kansas State in 1999 with a bachelors degree in mass communications, then added a master's degree in counseling (student development) from K-State in 2009.
• Kansas State defensive ends coach Blake Seiler was a member of Oklahoma State's 2003 NCAA championship wrestling team before transferring to K-State. Wrestling at heavyweight, he compiled a 13-9 record as a redshirt competing in open tournaments.
• Kansas State co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Del Miller served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Bob Simmons at Oklahoma State for the 2000 season.
• 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.
• The Kansas State roster includes seven native Oklahomans, headlined by receivers Tyler Lockett (Booker T. Washington HS) and Tramaine Thompson (Jenks HS).
Notable Streaks Entering the Kansas State Game
• OSU has amassed at least 400 yards of offense in its last 12 games and in 29 of its last 30 contests.
• The Cowboys have won five straight home games and 13 of their last 14 in Boone Pickens Stadium.
• OSU has at least one touchdown drive of faster than two minutes in each of its last 26 games and in 42 of its last 43 contests.
• Linebacker Shaun Lewis has started 36 straight games. Cornerback Justin Gilbert, linebacker Caleb Lavey and safety Daytawion Lowe have each started 30 straight games, respectively.
• Receiver Josh Stewart has at least four receptions in 15 of OSU's last 16 games.
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 rushing defense (23rd - 108.8 yards per game), pass efficiency defense (19th - 104.85), third-down defense (24th - .307 pct.) and red zone defense (19th - .692 opponent scoring pct.). Additionally, the Oklahoma State defense is 29th nationally in scoring defense (17.8 points allowed per game).
Making those numbers even more impressive is the fact that the OSU defense has been on the field longer than all but three other defenses in the nation - Oregon, Louisiana Tech and San Jose State - due to the Cowboys' up-tempo offense.
Perspective On Yards Per Play
The NCAA statistical rankings show Oklahoma State as ranking 49th in total defense this week, indicating a decent-but-not-great showing for a team that gives up 367.5 yards per game. However, when analyzed on a yards allowed per play basis, the Cowboy defense ranks 22nd nationally and second in the Big 12. How Oklahoma State stacks up against some notable defenses when analyzed on a yards per play basis:
1. Michigan State .......... 3.03
2. Virginia Tech .......... 3.73
3. Washington .......... 3.80
4. Baylor .......... 3.82
5. Oregon .......... 3.83
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22. Oklahoma State .......... 4.61
23. Stanford .......... 4.64
27. Ohio State .......... 4.68
30. TCU .......... 4.81
34. Oklahoma .......... 4.91
47. LSU .......... 5.13
56. Alabama .......... 5.27
70. South Carolina .......... 5.60
82. Texas .......... 5.77
88. Georgia .......... 5.85
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 137 turnovers forced from 2009 through the present, trailing only Oregon's 143. 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 four games in 2013, turnovers are back to being a significant factor for OSU, as the Cowboys have forced seven turnovers while committing just four of their own.
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 four games in 2013, OSU has allowed 12 explosive plays from scrimmage (3.0 per game), a mark that ranks third in the Big 12 and 17th nationally.
Hard To Drive On
Oklahoma State's defense has given up points on 12 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 in 2013.
Putting Opponents Away Early
Oklahoma State has outscored its first four opponents, 129-37, in the first three quarters of games this year. Additionally, the Cowboys pitched a fourth-quarter shutout against both Mississippi State and Lamar. Speaking of shutouts, Oklahoma State has yet to allow a third-quarter point this year, holding a 42-0 advantage over the opposition in the third quarter of games this season.
No Longer Perfect, But Still The Nation's Best
Oklahoma State went into last week's game at West Virginia as the only team in the country that was perfect in the red zone. The Cowboys had 15 touchdowns in 15 red zone attempts. That streak came to an end with a missed field goal attempt from 23 yards out in the fourth quarter.
While OSU is no longer perfect in the red zone, it is still No. 1 nationally by converting 93.75% of red zone trips into touchdowns.
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 four turnovers in their four games this year - a mark that ranks 12th in the country.
Speaking of security, OSU's quarterbacks have enjoyed secure surroundings this season, only being sacked 0.75 times per game - a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally. Of the five teams ahead of OSU on the national list (Nebraska, Toledo, Arkansas, Air Force and Navy), none attempt more passes per game than the Cowboys. 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.
Toughness Downs
One of the most frequent stereotypes used against spread offense teams is that they are defined by skill and finesse and lack toughness and grit.
Well, on third and short (defined here as four yards or fewer to go) - a situation where most defenses are expecting the run - OSU has run the ball 15 times and converted 11 into first downs. Similarly, the Cowboys have punched in eight rushing touchdowns of four yards or less this year - again, in situations where opposing defenses are expecting the run.
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 four games:
• OSU has 159 passing attempts and 150 rushing attempts.
• OSU has scored 11 touchdowns via the pass and 10 touchdowns via the run.
• OSU has converted 13 third-down plays via the run and 13 third-down plays via the pass.
Spreading the Wealth
Further illustrations of how Oklahoma State's offensive balance through three games this season:
• 12 different players have combined to score OSU's 22 touchdowns this year.
• Of those 22 touchdowns, 11 were scored via the pass (to nine different receivers) and 10 were scored via the run.
• 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 26 offensive plays that gained 20 yards or more from scrimmage. Those 26 plays were made by 12 different players.
• Nine different OSU receivers have five or more receptions this season. No OSU receiver has more than 19 receptions.
Pick Your Poison
In week one, Oklahoma State ripped off 286 rushing yards in beating Mississippi State. In week two, the Cowboys racked up 518 passing yards in beating UTSA.
The point? Oklahoma State's offense is built to succeed in a variety of ways. If an opposing defense is bent on taking away the Cowboys' passing attack, OSU has the weapons to win with its running game. If an opposing defense loads up against the run, the Cowboys unleash a passing attack that has ranked in the top seven nationally in each of the past three seasons. This has been a theme since the Cowboys went to their current offensive system in 2010.
Last Time Out - West Virginia 30, Oklahoma State 21
Turnovers, penalties and shaky special teams play were all contributing factors in Oklahoma State's 30-21 loss at West Virginia.
The Cowboy offense never found a rhythm, averaging 2.5 yards per first down play and consistently facing third-and-medium and third-and-long situations. Three turnovers compounded OSU's offensive struggles.
Defensively, OSU was solid for the most part, holding the Mountaineers to 1.7 yards per rush, 1.2 points per possession and forcing three turnovers.
Two missed field goals and two punts of 16 yards or less marked further squandered opportunities for the Cowboys.
Position Updates
Quarterbacks - Coached by Mike Yurcich
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 out of OSU's four games this season.
More on Walsh's Record Showing vs. UTSA
Oklahoma State quarterback J.W. Walsh earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors after his record-setting performance in the Cowboys' 56-35 win at UTSA.
Walsh connected on 24-of-27 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns. His 88.9 completion percentage set a new OSU 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 mark 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.
Walsh on the National Scene
Entering this week's game against Kansas State, J.W. Walsh ranks fourth in the Big 12 and 25th nationally in total offense with 299.5 yards per game. He leads the Big 12 and is 31st nationally with 60 points responsible for (either rushing or passing). Walsh's 241.0 passing yards per game are good for 43rd nationally.
Running Backs - Coached by Jemal Singleton
Jeremy Smith continues to display a trait he's shown throughout his career - the ability to find the end zone. Smith's six rushing touchdowns this year tie him with Baylor's Lache Seastrunk for the conference lead in touchdowns scored. He rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys' season opening win against Mississippi State, but saw his production dip at UTSA, as he rushed for 34 yards on 12 carries. UTSA focused much of its defensive strategy on stopping Smith and the OSU rushing attack, which set the table for the Cowboys to rack up 518 passing yards in the contest.
Smith tacked on three more rushing touchdowns against Lamar.
Receivers - Coached by Kasey Dunn and Jason Ray
Josh Stewart and Tracy Moore are the leaders of the bunch, but make no mistake, balance is the name of the game when it comes to Oklahoma State's receiving corps. Case in point - 13 different Cowboys caught passes in games against both UTSA and Lamar. Redshirt freshman Jhajuan Seales (15 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown) is emerging as a viable weapon on the outside and Blake Jackson (six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns) has been reliable. Charlie Moore has also been dependable, making 12 receptions on 14 targets this year.
Stewart has been OSU's go-to receiver this year, but Tracy Moore enjoyed his finest game of the year last week at West Virginia, making five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Stewart is Oklahoma State's Mr. Explosive
Josh Stewart has been OSU's most explosive player in 2013, averaging 15.4 yards per touch this season. Stewart ranks second in the Big 12 and eighth nationally with 18.2 yards per punt return and has returns of 67 yards, 41 yards and 36 yards through four games in 2013. He leads the team with 19 receptions and 312 receiving yards and has also rushed for 38 yards on six carries.
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.
Offensive Line - Coached by Joe Wickline
A consistent strength for Oklahoma State under the guidance of coach Joe Wickline, the Cowboy offensive front has been strong despite having several built-in excuses for a letdown season. OSU has a first-time starter at center, lost its projected starting left tackle for the season during fall camp and played against UTSA and Lamar without its starting right tackle, yet still finds a way to perform. Led by left tackle Parker Graham and left guard Brandon Webb, the Cowboys brutalized Mississippi State up front. OSU averaged 7.2 yards per carry against MSU - its highest mark since averaging 9.4 yards per carry in the 2012 season opener against Savannah State.
Entering this week's game against Kansas State, the Cowboys lead the Big 12 and rank six nationally by allowing only 0.75 sacks per game. Of the five teams ahead of OSU on the national list (Nebraska, Toledo, Arkansas, Air Force and Navy), none attempt more passes per game than the Cowboys.
Defensive Line - Coached by Joe Bob Clements
Through four games, Oklahoma State ranks second in the Big 12 and 14th nationally by allowing only 3.0 yards per rush and the defensive line is largely to thank for that. Opposing teams have mustered only two rushing touchdowns against the Cowboys in 2013, a mark that ranks second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally.
The play of the defensive line may have been the single biggest contributing factor in Oklahoma State's season-opening win over Mississippi State. Time and time again, the Cowboys won 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 7.0 tackles for loss per game and has eight sacks in four contests this year - six 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 three quarterback hurries this year. Senior defensive end Tyler Johnson has been as active as anyone on the OSU defense, recording 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and quarterback hurry entering the K-State game.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has been a pleasant surprise to this point, registering seven tackles, a sack and three quarterback hurries.
Linebackers - Coached by Glenn Spencer
With veterans Caleb Lavey and Shaun Lewis in the fold, the backbone of the OSU defense is the linebackers.
If the play of the defensive line wasn't the biggest factor in OSU's win over Mississippi State, then the play of the linebackers was. Lavey had a game-high 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and a half sack and Lewis had seven tackles, two for loss and a half sack.
Through four games this season, Lavey leads the team, ranks seventh in the Big 12 and 76th nationally in tackles per game with 8.3 He also leads the team with 4.5 tackles for loss totaling 20 yards. Lavey matched a career high with 12 tackles at West Virginia.
Lewis and OSU's third starting linebacker, Ryan Simmons, have combined for 32 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two passes broken up and a quarterback hurry through four games this season.
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' week one win over Mississippi State. 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.
Secondary - Coached by Van Malone (Corners) and Tim Duffie (Safeties)
Safety Daytawion Lowe and cornerback Justin Gilbert are the two most prominent figures in the OSU secondary. Lowe leads all active Cowboys with 208 career tackles and Gilbert's 23 career pass break-ups are more than twice the total of any other current OSU player.
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 two interceptions this season - against Mississippi State and at West Virginia - and three pass break-ups.
Lowe ranks second on the team with 26 tackles this season.
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 a team-best four passes on the year and recording his first interception in an OSU uniform at West Virginia last week.
Special Teams - Coached by Mike Gundy with assistance from Ty Linder
Josh Stewart is second in the Big 12 and ranks eighth nationally with 18.2 yards per punt return and he scored the Pokes' first punt return touchdown since 2010 when he broke free for a 67-yarder against Lamar. In doing so, he became the fourth member 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.
Kip Smith has punted 23 times this year, with 12 of those punts downed inside the opponent 20-yard line (.522 percent). That percentage leads the Big 12. Kicker Ben Grogan ranks sixth in the Big 12 in kicker scoring and has converted on all 22 of his point after touchdown attempts. A true freshman, he nailed his first career field goal when he split the uprights from 39 yards out against Lamar.
