Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Tracking the Trends: Texas Tech
November 11, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – As the Oklahoma State football team prepares for the final home game of the season tomorrow against Texas Tech, we take a look at streaks on the line and other trends to look out for this weekend.
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Week 10 Talking Points – Offense
? The Oklahoma State offense runs through quarterback Mason Rudolph. When he plays well, the Cowboys usually win the game, and that has been the case for the majority of the season. Rudolph has surpassed 350 yards passing in four games this year, including a personal-best road total of 457 yards in last week's win over Kansas State and a school record of 540 yards in OSU's win over Pitt. Additionally, Rudolph is one of just two quarterbacks in the country this year to throw for at least 2,800 yards with less than five interceptions, and he's the only one from a Power Five conference school. He ranks sixth nationally with 332.1 passing yards per game.
? The Cowboys' rushing attack has continued to look better this season than it has in recent years. In last week's win over Kansas State, OSU gained more on the ground than any other KSU opponent has this season, finishing with 180 yards on 26 carries for an average of 6.9 yards per carry. True freshman running back Justice Hill leads the team with 663 yards this season, a mark that ranks as the fourth-highest total for any freshman in the country and is already the sixth-best season total for a freshman in OSU history.
? Running back Chris Carson missed four games to injury earlier in the season, but has been an impact player since returning. The senior has scored four touchdowns in the last three games and has rushed for 143 yards on 20 carries (7.2 yards per carry). His biggest highlight came last week, as he carried defenders into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in OSU's 43-37 win over Kansas State.
? Receivers James Washington and Jalen McCleskey have teamed up to form a dangerous duo in the passing game. Washington ranks 13th nationally with 974 receiving yards and he ranks second nationally with 12 30-plus yard catches this year, including a game-changing 82-yard touchdown with under 8:00 remaining in last week's win over KSU. McCleskey leads the team in receptions, catching at least three passes in every game this year and at least five in six games. He's totaled 25 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games.
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Week 10 Talking Points – Defense
? Forcing turnovers has long been a focal point of defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer's scheme. The Cowboys sealed last week's 43-37 win over Kansas State with a Jordan Sterns interception in the end zone on the final play of the game and are now ranked No. 9 in the country and No. 1 in the Big 12 with 20 turnovers gained on the season and are No. 14 nationally and No. 1 in the Big 12 in turnover margin. The Cowboys have forced at least one turnover in every game this season and have forced 10 in the last four games. In OSU's win over No. 10 West Virginia, the Cowboys outscored WVU 17-0 in points off turnovers and won the game by 17 points.
?The Cowboys have held five of their last nine opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter. In fact, OSU has only allowed a total of 37 fourth-quarter points on the year, a mark that ranks among the top 25 nationally and second in the Big 12. OSU's fourth-quarter defense has made the difference in several Cowboy wins this season.
? In six of OSU's seven wins, the Cowboy defense has held its opponent to less than 50 percent on third down conversions, including twice when they were held to less than 25 percent. The Cowboys are holding opponents to a 37.6 conversion rate on the year to rank second in the Big 12, and success in that area has had a strong correlation with OSU's win-loss record.
? Oklahoma State leads the nation with five blocked kicks this season, three of which came as part of the Cowboys' win over Texas. Defensive tackle Vincent Taylor leads the country individually with three blocks. The latest block came at Kansas as Motekiai Maile swatted a 59-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half, and the Cowboys have nearly gotten to several other kicks this year.
? After nine games, the Cowboys lead the Big 12 in turnover margin (+0.89), turnovers forced (20), fumbles recovered (9) and interceptions (11). The Cowboys also lead the conference in defensive touchdowns (2), red zone scoring defense (76.7 percent) and kickoff coverage (18.53).
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Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Texas Tech Game
?Oklahoma State has won seven straight over Texas Tech, dating back to 2008.
?Oklahoma State hasn't lost to Texas Tech in Stillwater since 2001.
?Oklahoma State is undefeated in its last five Big 12 games.
?Oklahoma State is 10-1 in its last 11 games decided by less than 10 points.
?Oklahoma State has trailed at some point in each of its last six wins.
?Oklahoma State has won 19 of its last 24 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
?Oklahoma State has won five of its six home games this season.
?Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 25 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 39 straight.
?Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by a 102-56 margin in the first quarter of games this season.
?Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by an 81-37 margin in the fourth quarter of games this season.
?OSU's defense has forced 10 turnovers in the last four games.
?Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 19 of the last 20 games.
?Oklahoma State holds a 48-14 advantage in points off turnovers in the last four games.
?Receiver James Washington averages 37.4 yards per reception in his career against Texas Tech and has six career touchdown receptions against the Red Raiders - more than any other Cowboy in history.
?Cornerback Ramon Richards has three career interceptions against TTU - more than any other Cowboy in history.
?Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 28 of their last 29 games when not committing a turnover.
?Dating back to the 2008 season, the Cowboys have won 49 of their last 53 games when winning the turnover battle.
?Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown 34 touchdown passes against just six interceptions in his last 15 games, dating back to the 2015 season.
?Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown just four interceptions in 329 pass attempts this season.
?According to ESPN Stats and Info, quarterback Mason Rudolph has posted a QBR of 90.3 and 87.8 in his last two games, against West Virginia and Kansas State, respectively.
?Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 28 games.
?Running back Justice Hill has rushed for at least 100 yards in three of the last six games. The only other 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).
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Week 10 Talking Points – Offense
? The Oklahoma State offense runs through quarterback Mason Rudolph. When he plays well, the Cowboys usually win the game, and that has been the case for the majority of the season. Rudolph has surpassed 350 yards passing in four games this year, including a personal-best road total of 457 yards in last week's win over Kansas State and a school record of 540 yards in OSU's win over Pitt. Additionally, Rudolph is one of just two quarterbacks in the country this year to throw for at least 2,800 yards with less than five interceptions, and he's the only one from a Power Five conference school. He ranks sixth nationally with 332.1 passing yards per game.
? The Cowboys' rushing attack has continued to look better this season than it has in recent years. In last week's win over Kansas State, OSU gained more on the ground than any other KSU opponent has this season, finishing with 180 yards on 26 carries for an average of 6.9 yards per carry. True freshman running back Justice Hill leads the team with 663 yards this season, a mark that ranks as the fourth-highest total for any freshman in the country and is already the sixth-best season total for a freshman in OSU history.
? Running back Chris Carson missed four games to injury earlier in the season, but has been an impact player since returning. The senior has scored four touchdowns in the last three games and has rushed for 143 yards on 20 carries (7.2 yards per carry). His biggest highlight came last week, as he carried defenders into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in OSU's 43-37 win over Kansas State.
? Receivers James Washington and Jalen McCleskey have teamed up to form a dangerous duo in the passing game. Washington ranks 13th nationally with 974 receiving yards and he ranks second nationally with 12 30-plus yard catches this year, including a game-changing 82-yard touchdown with under 8:00 remaining in last week's win over KSU. McCleskey leads the team in receptions, catching at least three passes in every game this year and at least five in six games. He's totaled 25 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games.
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Week 10 Talking Points – Defense
? Forcing turnovers has long been a focal point of defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer's scheme. The Cowboys sealed last week's 43-37 win over Kansas State with a Jordan Sterns interception in the end zone on the final play of the game and are now ranked No. 9 in the country and No. 1 in the Big 12 with 20 turnovers gained on the season and are No. 14 nationally and No. 1 in the Big 12 in turnover margin. The Cowboys have forced at least one turnover in every game this season and have forced 10 in the last four games. In OSU's win over No. 10 West Virginia, the Cowboys outscored WVU 17-0 in points off turnovers and won the game by 17 points.
?The Cowboys have held five of their last nine opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter. In fact, OSU has only allowed a total of 37 fourth-quarter points on the year, a mark that ranks among the top 25 nationally and second in the Big 12. OSU's fourth-quarter defense has made the difference in several Cowboy wins this season.
? In six of OSU's seven wins, the Cowboy defense has held its opponent to less than 50 percent on third down conversions, including twice when they were held to less than 25 percent. The Cowboys are holding opponents to a 37.6 conversion rate on the year to rank second in the Big 12, and success in that area has had a strong correlation with OSU's win-loss record.
? Oklahoma State leads the nation with five blocked kicks this season, three of which came as part of the Cowboys' win over Texas. Defensive tackle Vincent Taylor leads the country individually with three blocks. The latest block came at Kansas as Motekiai Maile swatted a 59-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half, and the Cowboys have nearly gotten to several other kicks this year.
? After nine games, the Cowboys lead the Big 12 in turnover margin (+0.89), turnovers forced (20), fumbles recovered (9) and interceptions (11). The Cowboys also lead the conference in defensive touchdowns (2), red zone scoring defense (76.7 percent) and kickoff coverage (18.53).
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Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Texas Tech Game
?Oklahoma State has won seven straight over Texas Tech, dating back to 2008.
?Oklahoma State hasn't lost to Texas Tech in Stillwater since 2001.
?Oklahoma State is undefeated in its last five Big 12 games.
?Oklahoma State is 10-1 in its last 11 games decided by less than 10 points.
?Oklahoma State has trailed at some point in each of its last six wins.
?Oklahoma State has won 19 of its last 24 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
?Oklahoma State has won five of its six home games this season.
?Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 25 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 39 straight.
?Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by a 102-56 margin in the first quarter of games this season.
?Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by an 81-37 margin in the fourth quarter of games this season.
?OSU's defense has forced 10 turnovers in the last four games.
?Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 19 of the last 20 games.
?Oklahoma State holds a 48-14 advantage in points off turnovers in the last four games.
?Receiver James Washington averages 37.4 yards per reception in his career against Texas Tech and has six career touchdown receptions against the Red Raiders - more than any other Cowboy in history.
?Cornerback Ramon Richards has three career interceptions against TTU - more than any other Cowboy in history.
?Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 28 of their last 29 games when not committing a turnover.
?Dating back to the 2008 season, the Cowboys have won 49 of their last 53 games when winning the turnover battle.
?Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown 34 touchdown passes against just six interceptions in his last 15 games, dating back to the 2015 season.
?Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown just four interceptions in 329 pass attempts this season.
?According to ESPN Stats and Info, quarterback Mason Rudolph has posted a QBR of 90.3 and 87.8 in his last two games, against West Virginia and Kansas State, respectively.
?Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 28 games.
?Running back Justice Hill has rushed for at least 100 yards in three of the last six games. The only other 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).
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