Oklahoma State University Athletics
The Sunday Wrap - Kansas State
November 02, 2014 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 2, 2014
Box Score | Photo Gallery
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Oklahoma State marched downfield and scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the game, but could not sustain that level of play in its 48-14 loss at No. 11 Kansas State.
Playing without starting running back Desmond Roland, who did not travel with the team due to a death in the family, the Cowboys turned to Tyreek Hill at running back and the junior speedster responded by turning in OSU's first 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Hill finished with 102 yards and a touchdown on the ground and was the dominant force on OSU's one scoring drive, carrying five times for 36 yards and also hauling in a 34-yard reception to lead the Pokes into the end zone.
Leading, 7-0, after the game's opening drive, the Cowboys were well-positioned, but Kansas State answered when Morgan Burns returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown to bring the crowd back to life and swing the momentum in favor of the Wildcats.
K-State followed that up with back-to-back touchdown drives and took a 21-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Wildcats put the game out of reach with scores on three of their first four possessions of the second half.
Trailing, 45-7, midway through the fourth quarter, OSU got on the board again when freshman cornerback Ramon Richards returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown.
The Cowboys posted 128 yards of offense on their first two possessions of the game, but K-State shut the Pokes down from that point by consistently forcing OSU into third-and-long situations. Of the 13 third-down plays run by the Cowboys in the game, nine were third-and-seven or longer, with seven of those plays third-and-10 or longer. With K-State knowing what was coming in obvious passing situations on third-and-long for the majority of the game, OSU recorded only 133 yards of offense after its first two drives.
The Oklahoma State loss...
• Was only its second in its last six matchups with the Wildcats.
• Was just its second in its last six true road games, dating back to last season.
• Dipped the Cowboys to 19-9 on the road since 2009.
Standouts vs. Kansas State
Offense
RB Tyreek Hill | Junior | 5-10 | 185 | Pearson, GA
For the first time in nine games this season, Oklahoma State had a 100-yard rusher and it was Tyreek Hill, who was stepping into the role of feature back for the first time with usual starter Desmond Roland out due to a death in the family. Hill carried 18 times for 102 yards and scored the Cowboys' lone offensive touchdown of the game when he punched in a two-yard scoring run on the game's opening series. Hill also led the Cowboys with 34 receiving yards.
Defense
CB Ramon Richards | Freshman | 6-0 | 180 | San Antonio, TX
An injury to Ashton Lampkin thrust true freshman cornerback Ramon Richards into the starting lineup earlier in the season and the youngster provided reason for optimism at Kansas State by leading the team with seven tackles and returning an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. The interception was Richards' second of the season to tie him for the team lead.
Special Teams
P Kip Smith | Senior | 6-1 | 235 | Broomfield, CO
Senior Kip Smith punted nine times for 360 yards at Kansas State. His ability to punt directionally and with hang time allowed OSU to post a solid showing against a Wildcat squad that entered the game ranked second nationally by averaging 22.42 yards per punt return. Despite having plenty of chances against Smith and the OSU punt coverage unit, K-State averaged only 6.5 yards per punt return.
