Game Notes - Cowboys Host Iowa State - Oklahoma State University Athletics

Saturday, October 8

Stillwater, OK

2:30 p.m. CT

Oklahoma State University

Iowa State

Photo by: OSU Athletics

Game Notes - Cowboys Host Iowa State

October 03, 2016 | Cowboy Football

Complete Release in PDF Format

Up Next For Oklahoma State Football
Iowa State
2:30 p.m. CT | Oct 8, 2016 | Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218)

TV: ESPNU (Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks and Dawn Davenport)
In Stillwater: Suddenlink 407, DirecTV 208, Dish 141, U-verse 605/HD1605
In OKC: Cox 253/HD 718, DirecTV 208, Dish 141, U-verse 605/HD 1605
In Tulsa: Cox 1303, DirecTV 208, Dish 141, U-verse 605/HD 1605
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb & Robert Allen)
National Radio: None
Satellite Radio: Sirius channel 136, XM channel 199
Internet - Mobile App: http://okla.st/osutunein - TuneIn Radio App
Live Stats: okstate.com
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The Basics
                The Oklahoma State football team (3-2 overall; 1-1 Big 12) hosts longtime conference foe Iowa State (1-4 overall; 0-2 Big 12) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium.

Ticket Information
                Tickets are available for Saturday's game starting at $90. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting okstate.com/tickets, by contacting the Oklahoma State ticket office at 877-ALL-4-OSU or by emailing tickets@okstate.edu. On Twitter, the Oklahoma State ticket office is @OSUFanEx.

On the Air
                The game will be televised by ESPNU with Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks and Dawn Davenport on the call. The contest 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. Fans outside of the Cowboy Radio Network can listen to the OSU broadcast free of charge through TuneIn Radio or the TuneIn Radio app.

In the Rankings
                Neither Oklahoma State nor Iowa State is ranked going into this game, though the Cowboys are receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches polls.

Oklahoma State From a Distance
                Fresh off a 49-31 win over then-No. 22 Texas that improved its record to 3-2 overall, Oklahoma State is doing something that it hasn't done in the last two seasons, namely, it has found a way to run the ball with a degree of consistency. Against the last three opponents - all of whom were formidable - the OSU offensive line has paved the way for a Cowboy to rush for at least 100 yards. Rennie Childs went for 101 against Pittsburgh and Justice Hill went for 122 yards and 135 yards against Baylor and Texas, respectively.
                Predictably, increased production in the run game has resulted in an uptick in overall offensive production, as the Cowboys are averaging 562.3 yards of offense in their last three games - two of which were played against ranked opponents and the third against a team that was receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches polls. Prior to this three-game improvement, OSU averaged 367.5 yards of offense per game in its first two outings against Southeastern Louisiana and Central Michigan.
                Defensively, the Cowboys have shown a penchant for forcing turnovers, as OSU leads the Big 12 in fumbles recovered and is second in the league in passes intercepted. The Cowboy defense is riding some positive momentum from the Texas game, because in the first half of that contest, OSU allowed the Longhorns to put up 390 yards and convert on five-of-eight third down attempts. After adjusting at intermission, however, the Cowboys limited Texas to 178 yards and one-of-eight on third down in the second half.
                Looking beyond just this season, turnovers and non-offensive touchdowns rank among Oklahoma State's signature traits this decade. In fact, the Cowboys lead the nation with 39 non-offensive touchdowns since 2010 and are third in America with 182 turnovers forced since 2010. Only Houston and Oregon have forced more during that time span.
                An explosive aerial attack has also been at the core of Oklahoma State's identity this decade, with the Cowboys ranking in the top 10 nationally in passing yards per game four times since 2010, and that does not count what's happening this season, as the Cowboys currently rank 10th in the nation in passing offense.
                On special teams, the Cowboys have a recent tradition of blocking kicks, as OSU has blocked 17 kicks since the start of the 2013 season to lead the FBS during that time span. The Cowboys lead the nation with four blocked kicks this season.

Iowa State From a Distance
                Coming off a 45-42 defeat at the hands of Baylor in which it held a 42-28 lead going into the fourth quarter, Iowa State is 1-4 on the year and 0-2 in Big 12 play. The Cyclones average 25.8 points per game and are led offensively by running back Mike Warren, quarterback Joel Lanning and receiver Allen Lazard. In conference games, Warren ranks fourth in the Big 12 by averaging 112.5 rushing yards per game. A dual-threat quarterback, Lanning has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of better than 2-to-1 and is also the second-leading rusher on the team with 124 yards on the ground. His three rushing touchdowns on the year matches the team-leading total shared by Warren. With 21 receptions and 328 receiving yards, Lazard leads the team in both categories.
                Defensively, linebacker Reggan Northrup and safety Kamari Cotton-Moya are the leading tacklers, with cornerback Brian Peavy and linebackers Willie Harvey and Brian Mills also commanding respect. Where Iowa State has struggled this year is in rush defense, as the Cyclones rank 123rd out of 128 FBS schools and last among Power Five conference schools by allowing 261.0 rushing yards per game. That said, ISU is third in the Big 12 and 29th nationally by allowing only 191.4 passing yards per game.
                In the kicking game, Cole Netten is a perfect four-for-four on his field goal attempts this season, with a long field goal of 49 yards.

An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Be its fifth straight over Iowa State, dating back to 2011.
• Extend the Cowboys' home win streak over the Cyclones to five. The last time Iowa State claimed victory in Stillwater was in 2000.
• Increase the Cowboys' advantage in the all-time series against Iowa State to 30-18-3. The series dates back to 1926, but didn't get going in earnest until 1960.
• Improve the Cowboys to 17-6-2 all-time against the Cyclones in Stillwater.
• Improve Mike Gundy's record against Iowa State to 7-2.
• Improve the Cowboys to 39-17 in Big 12 Conference games since 2010.
• Improve the Cowboys to 30-7 in their last 37 home games under Mike Gundy.
• Improve the Cowboys to 49-6 in their last 55 games against unranked opponents, dating back to 2010.
• Bring Mike Gundy to within two victories of the 100-win mark for his career.

Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Iowa State Game
• Oklahoma State has won 15 of its last 20 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has won its last four over Iowa State, dating back to 2011.
• Oklahoma State has won its last four over Iowa State played in Stillwater, dating back to 2000.
• An Oklahoma State running back has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last three games. Prior to that, the last time the Cowboys had a 100-yard rusher in three straight games was Joseph Randle in September of 2012, when he eclipsed the century mark against Arizona, Louisiana and Texas.
• Oklahoma State is averaging 562.3 yards of offense in its last three games (vs. Pitt, at Baylor, vs. Texas)
• Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by a 75-30 margin in the first quarter of games this season.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 15 of the last 16 games.
• Oklahoma State holds a 48-28 advantage in points off turnovers through five games this season.
• Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 26 of their last 27 games when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to the 2008 season, the Cowboys have won 46 of their last 50 games when winning the turnover battle.
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown 21 touchdown passes against just four interceptions in his last 11 games, dating back to the 2015 season.
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown just two interceptions in 187 pass attempts this season.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 24 games.
• Receiver James Washington is averaging 158.7 yards receiving in his last three games.
• Of Zach Sinor's 22 punts this season, 14 have been downed inside the opponent 20-yard line, with no touchbacks.
• Running back Justice Hill has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the last two games. An OSU freshman has never rushed for 100 yards or more in three consecutive games. The only Cowboy true freshmen to rush for 100 yards or more three times in a season are Thurman Thomas (three times in 1984) and Andre Richardson (three times in 1994).

The Series
                Oklahoma State owns a 29-18-3 advantage over Iowa State all-time, including a 16-6-2 series edge in Stillwater. The Cowboys have won four straight over ISU overall and four straight over the Cyclones in Boone Pickens Stadium, dating back to a 33-26 loss in 2000.

Recapping the Last Meeting
AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Oklahoma State got the victory it needed, just not the style points.
                Backup quarterback J.W. Walsh threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Carr with 3:06 left Saturday, giving No. 5 Oklahoma State a 35-31 victory over Iowa State and keeping the unbeaten Cowboys in playoff contention.
                Oklahoma State (10-0, 7-0 Big 12) trailed 24-7 and 31-21 before rallying for a victory that was short on style points but still critical.
                Walsh drew the Cowboys to 31-28 with a 16-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and OSU drove 84 yards in 11 plays for the winning score after forcing a punt.
                Starter Mason Rudolph got Oklahoma State to the Iowa State 7 and Walsh, usually the team's running quarterback, took it from there. He hit Carr with a swing pass on the left side and two blocks sprung the freshman to the end zone.
                Quarterback Joel Lanning had staked Iowa State (3-7, 2-5) to the lead, running for two touchdowns and passing for another. He and the Cyclones had two chances after Carr's score, but gave up the ball on downs and then turned it over with an interception after getting it back.
                The two teams met in a setting similar to 2011, when an unheralded Iowa State team ended No. 2 Oklahoma State's BCS championship hopes with a victory in two overtimes. On a pleasant, late autumn day, the Cowboys survived in this one, though for the longest time, things were looking grim for coach Mike Gundy's team, mostly because of Lanning.
                The sophomore from nearby Ankeny consistently ran for nice gains on read options and scrambles and did just enough with his passing to keep the Cyclones moving.
                He carried 14 times for 130 yards and scored on runs of 24 and 21 yards. The 21-yarder, on which he ran untouched to the end zone after faking a handoff, gave Iowa State a 31-21 lead late in the third quarter and fueled hopes of another upset.
                It just wasn't quite enough.
                Lanning also completed 11 of 22 passes for 162 yards, including a 24-yarder to Allen Lazard for a TD in the first half, when Iowa State scored three touchdowns and kicked a field goal on its first four possessions. What appeared to be a fourth touchdown was overturned on review and the Cyclones settled for Cole Netten's 21-yard field goal.
                Rudolph completed 24 of 36 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown -- a 16-yarder to Marcell Ateman, who made a leaping catch in the far left corner of the end zone to tie it at 7-all.
Ateman finished with career highs of eight catches and 132 yards.
                Joshua Thomas' 1-yard TD run put Iowa State up 24-7 early in the second quarter. Oklahoma State answered with a 16-play, 88-yard drive that Chris Carson ended with a 1-yard run to draw to 24-14 at halftime. Walsh scored from the 1 to cut the lead to 24-21 midway through the third quarter, capping a 14-play, 92-yard march.

Connections
• Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and Iowa State secondary coach D.K. McDonald coached together at Edinboro in 2005.
• Iowa State tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Alex Golesh served as a graduate assistant under Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State in 2008.
• Oklahoma State long snapper Tanner Morgan is a native of Ankeny, Iowa, where he attended Centennial HS.
• Iowa State running back Mike Warren is from Lawton, Okla., where he played at Lawton HS.
• Oklahoma State cornerback Bryce Brown and Iowa State defensive back Jordan Wallace were teammates at Denton Guyer HS.
• Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner and Sheldon Barnes were teammates of Iowa State receiver Carson Epps at Jenks HS.
• Iowa State offensive lineman Karson Green is from Madill, Okla., where he attended Madill HS.
• Iowa State receiver Denver Johnson hails from Oklahoma City, where he attended Casady School.