Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Tracking the Trends: Kansas State
November 04, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – As the Oklahoma State football team prepares for tomorrow's road matchup with Kansas State, we take a look at streaks on the line and other trends to look out for this weekend.
Week 10 Talking Points – Offense
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has been a consistent director of the Cowboy offense over the last several weeks, due largely to his ability to manage drives an avoid interceptions. Among the 21 players in the country who have attempted more than 285 passes this season, Rudolph is the only one who has thrown less than three interceptions - and that's against his 17 touchdown passes. Rudolph has now thrown 140 consecutive passes without being picked off, as his last interception came on a desperation throw in the fourth quarter of the Baylor game. He's been one of the most productive passers as well, throwing for at least 350 yards three times this season with a school-record 540-yard day in OSU's win over Pitt. He ranks 10th nationally with 316.5 passing yard per game.
• The Cowboys have put together a noticeable threat in the run game behind the play of several backs, but true freshman running back Justice Hill has led the group. Hill leads the team with 619 yards on 128 carries with four touchdowns. That marks the third-highest total for any freshman in the country and is already the seventh-best season total for a freshman in OSU history. Hill has put together three 100-yard performances in his first five starts, including a career-high 162 yards rushing in OSU's win over Kansas, a 135-yard day in OSU's win over Texas and a 122-yard effort in his first start against Baylor. He is just the fifth freshman in OSU history to rush for more than 100 yards in three games and his 619 rushing yards are the most for an OSU freshman since Kendall Hunter had 696 in 2007. Additionally, his average of 106.0 rushing yards per game against Big 12 opposition ranks third in the league and he is the only freshman among the top 10 rushers in the Big 12.
• Receiver James Washington ranks 14th nationally with 107.1 receiving yards per game and he leads the nation with 11 catches of at least 30 yards this season. The Stamford, Texas, native has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games and has surpassed 100 yards receiving in nine games during his career, including three times this season. He's one of just three players in the country who has caught at least 40 passes with an average greater than 19 yards per catch. His average of 19.93 yards per reception leads the Big 12.
Week 10 Talking Points – Defense
• Forcing turnovers has long been a focal point of defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer's scheme, and it was especially evident in last week's win over No. 10 West Virginia. The Cowboys' three turnovers forced against the Mountaineers set the offense up with an average starting field position of the WVU 11-yard line. The result was a 17-0 points off turnovers advantage and a 17-point Cowboy win. OSU has forced three turnovers in each of its last three games and ranks No. 4 nationally in turnovers gained, No. 7 in fumbles recovered and No. 21 in interceptions.
• The Cowboy defense has held its opponent scoreless in the fourth quarter in five of its eight games this season. In fact, OSU has only allowed a total of 30 fourth-quarter points on the year, which ranks 10th nationally, seventh among Power 5 schools and second in the Big 12. Against Texas, OSU held the Longhorns to just six second-half points on its way to a 49-31 win in a game where the Cowboys led by just two at half. The next week against Iowa State, the Cowboys held the Cyclones without a point in the final 20 minutes of play to mount a 38-31 comeback win after trailing by 17. At Kansas, OSU held the Jayhawks scoreless in the final 20 minutes again as the Cowboys scored 20 unanswered points on the way to the win.
• In five of OSU's six 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 37.5 conversion rate on the year to rank third 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 eight games, the Cowboys lead the Big 12 in turnover margin (+1.25), turnovers forced (19), fumbles recovered (9) and interceptions (10). The Cowboys also lead the conference in defensive touchdowns (2), opponent fourth down conversions (28.6 percent) and kickoff coverage (17.11).
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Kansas State Game
• Oklahoma State has won 18 of its last 23 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has won seven of its last eight true road games, dating back to the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 24 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 38 straight.
• Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by a 95-43 margin in the first quarter of games this season.
• Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by a 66-30 margin in the fourth quarter of games this season.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced nine turnovers in the last three games.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 18 of the last 19 games.
• Oklahoma State holds a 48-7 advantage in points off turnovers in the last three games.
• 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 hasn't thrown an interception in his last 140 pass attempts.
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown 29 touchdown passes against just four interceptions in his last 14 games, dating back to the 2015 season.
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown just two interceptions in 291 pass attempts this season.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 27 games.
• Of Zach Sinor's 39 punts this season, 23 have been downed inside the opponent 20-yard line, with only one touchback. Sinor's 39 punts have yielded only 27 punt return yards for the opponent.
• Running back Justice Hill has rushed for at least 100 yards in three of the last five 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).
Week 10 Talking Points – Offense
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has been a consistent director of the Cowboy offense over the last several weeks, due largely to his ability to manage drives an avoid interceptions. Among the 21 players in the country who have attempted more than 285 passes this season, Rudolph is the only one who has thrown less than three interceptions - and that's against his 17 touchdown passes. Rudolph has now thrown 140 consecutive passes without being picked off, as his last interception came on a desperation throw in the fourth quarter of the Baylor game. He's been one of the most productive passers as well, throwing for at least 350 yards three times this season with a school-record 540-yard day in OSU's win over Pitt. He ranks 10th nationally with 316.5 passing yard per game.
• The Cowboys have put together a noticeable threat in the run game behind the play of several backs, but true freshman running back Justice Hill has led the group. Hill leads the team with 619 yards on 128 carries with four touchdowns. That marks the third-highest total for any freshman in the country and is already the seventh-best season total for a freshman in OSU history. Hill has put together three 100-yard performances in his first five starts, including a career-high 162 yards rushing in OSU's win over Kansas, a 135-yard day in OSU's win over Texas and a 122-yard effort in his first start against Baylor. He is just the fifth freshman in OSU history to rush for more than 100 yards in three games and his 619 rushing yards are the most for an OSU freshman since Kendall Hunter had 696 in 2007. Additionally, his average of 106.0 rushing yards per game against Big 12 opposition ranks third in the league and he is the only freshman among the top 10 rushers in the Big 12.
• Receiver James Washington ranks 14th nationally with 107.1 receiving yards per game and he leads the nation with 11 catches of at least 30 yards this season. The Stamford, Texas, native has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games and has surpassed 100 yards receiving in nine games during his career, including three times this season. He's one of just three players in the country who has caught at least 40 passes with an average greater than 19 yards per catch. His average of 19.93 yards per reception leads the Big 12.
Week 10 Talking Points – Defense
• Forcing turnovers has long been a focal point of defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer's scheme, and it was especially evident in last week's win over No. 10 West Virginia. The Cowboys' three turnovers forced against the Mountaineers set the offense up with an average starting field position of the WVU 11-yard line. The result was a 17-0 points off turnovers advantage and a 17-point Cowboy win. OSU has forced three turnovers in each of its last three games and ranks No. 4 nationally in turnovers gained, No. 7 in fumbles recovered and No. 21 in interceptions.
• The Cowboy defense has held its opponent scoreless in the fourth quarter in five of its eight games this season. In fact, OSU has only allowed a total of 30 fourth-quarter points on the year, which ranks 10th nationally, seventh among Power 5 schools and second in the Big 12. Against Texas, OSU held the Longhorns to just six second-half points on its way to a 49-31 win in a game where the Cowboys led by just two at half. The next week against Iowa State, the Cowboys held the Cyclones without a point in the final 20 minutes of play to mount a 38-31 comeback win after trailing by 17. At Kansas, OSU held the Jayhawks scoreless in the final 20 minutes again as the Cowboys scored 20 unanswered points on the way to the win.
• In five of OSU's six 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 37.5 conversion rate on the year to rank third 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 eight games, the Cowboys lead the Big 12 in turnover margin (+1.25), turnovers forced (19), fumbles recovered (9) and interceptions (10). The Cowboys also lead the conference in defensive touchdowns (2), opponent fourth down conversions (28.6 percent) and kickoff coverage (17.11).
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Kansas State Game
• Oklahoma State has won 18 of its last 23 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has won seven of its last eight true road games, dating back to the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 24 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 38 straight.
• Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by a 95-43 margin in the first quarter of games this season.
• Oklahoma State is outscoring its opponents by a 66-30 margin in the fourth quarter of games this season.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced nine turnovers in the last three games.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 18 of the last 19 games.
• Oklahoma State holds a 48-7 advantage in points off turnovers in the last three games.
• 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 hasn't thrown an interception in his last 140 pass attempts.
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown 29 touchdown passes against just four interceptions in his last 14 games, dating back to the 2015 season.
• Quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown just two interceptions in 291 pass attempts this season.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 27 games.
• Of Zach Sinor's 39 punts this season, 23 have been downed inside the opponent 20-yard line, with only one touchback. Sinor's 39 punts have yielded only 27 punt return yards for the opponent.
• Running back Justice Hill has rushed for at least 100 yards in three of the last five 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).
Players Mentioned
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