Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Seven Reasons Why Oklahoma State’s Win Over Southeastern Louisiana Mattered
September 04, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State football program opened its season with a 61-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana Saturday. The win marked a great kickoff to the 2016 campaign and was the 11th time under head coach Mike Gundy that Oklahoma State has scored 60 or more points in a game. Some other key notes on the victory:
The Oklahoma State win ...
• Improved the Cowboys to 22-4 in their last 26 non-conference games.
• Improved the Cowboys to 46-5 in their last 51 games against unranked opponents, dating back to 2010.
• Marked the Cowboys' eighth win in their last nine season openers.
• Marked the Cowboys' 21st straight win in a home opener.
• Improved the Cowboys to 69-41-5 all-time in season openers.
• Improved the Cowboys to 82-28-5 all-time in home openers.
• Improved the Cowboys to 10-0 against teams from the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision under Mike Gundy.
Standout performers included the following:
Offense
Jhajuan Seales
Wide Receiver
6-0 | 205 | RSr. | Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial
In a game where 14 different Oklahoma State players caught a pass, Seales led the team with 61 receiving yards and caught both of Mason Rudolph's touchdown passes. His first score was a leaping, highlight-reel catch for 24 yards as he fell backwards into the end zone for OSU's first passing touchdown of the season and the Cowboy's longest completion of the day. He followed that with 16 yard touchdown grab over the top of a defender in the back of the end zone to complete one of the Cowboy's best plays of the day in tandem with a long scramble from Rudolph. Each of Seales' touchdown grabs helped set the tone for dominant Cowboy performances in each half.
Defense
Devante Averette
Linebacker
5-11 | 230 | RSr. | Detroit, Mich./Melvindale/Ellsworth CC
Making his first collegiate start, Oklahoma State linebacker Devante Averette was a standout performer and turned in a remarkable play when he forced a fumble, recovered it, then threw a no-look pass back to teammate Ramon Richards for him to take it in for a touchdown early in the third quarter of the Cowboys 61-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Averette's final stat line consisted of four tackles (three unassisted), a tackle for loss, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered, despite the fact that he played a limited number of reps due to the wide margin of the score.
Special Teams
Barry J. Sanders
Running Back/Punt Returner
5-10 | 198 | RSr. | Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall/Stanford
Playing in his first game for Oklahoma State, Barry J. Sanders returned a first-quarter punt 57 yards to the one-yard line as part of the Cowboys' 61-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana. The return was the longest of his career (he spent his previous three seasons at Stanford and came to OSU as a graduate transfer). Additionally, Sanders' return was the longest for an Oklahoma State player since Jalen McCleskey scored on a 67-yarder at Texas Tech last season. As the son of Oklahoma State legend, 1988 Heisman Trophy winner and football hall-of-famer Barry Sanders, Barry J. Sanders making his debut for his dad's alma mater was one of the central storylines entering the game. The younger Sanders did not disappoint, leading the Cowboys with 76 all-purpose yards and averaging 12.7 yards per touch.
The Oklahoma State win ...
• Improved the Cowboys to 22-4 in their last 26 non-conference games.
• Improved the Cowboys to 46-5 in their last 51 games against unranked opponents, dating back to 2010.
• Marked the Cowboys' eighth win in their last nine season openers.
• Marked the Cowboys' 21st straight win in a home opener.
• Improved the Cowboys to 69-41-5 all-time in season openers.
• Improved the Cowboys to 82-28-5 all-time in home openers.
• Improved the Cowboys to 10-0 against teams from the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision under Mike Gundy.
Standout performers included the following:
Offense
Jhajuan Seales
Wide Receiver
6-0 | 205 | RSr. | Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial
In a game where 14 different Oklahoma State players caught a pass, Seales led the team with 61 receiving yards and caught both of Mason Rudolph's touchdown passes. His first score was a leaping, highlight-reel catch for 24 yards as he fell backwards into the end zone for OSU's first passing touchdown of the season and the Cowboy's longest completion of the day. He followed that with 16 yard touchdown grab over the top of a defender in the back of the end zone to complete one of the Cowboy's best plays of the day in tandem with a long scramble from Rudolph. Each of Seales' touchdown grabs helped set the tone for dominant Cowboy performances in each half.
Defense
Devante Averette
Linebacker
5-11 | 230 | RSr. | Detroit, Mich./Melvindale/Ellsworth CC
Making his first collegiate start, Oklahoma State linebacker Devante Averette was a standout performer and turned in a remarkable play when he forced a fumble, recovered it, then threw a no-look pass back to teammate Ramon Richards for him to take it in for a touchdown early in the third quarter of the Cowboys 61-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Averette's final stat line consisted of four tackles (three unassisted), a tackle for loss, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered, despite the fact that he played a limited number of reps due to the wide margin of the score.
Special Teams
Barry J. Sanders
Running Back/Punt Returner
5-10 | 198 | RSr. | Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall/Stanford
Playing in his first game for Oklahoma State, Barry J. Sanders returned a first-quarter punt 57 yards to the one-yard line as part of the Cowboys' 61-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana. The return was the longest of his career (he spent his previous three seasons at Stanford and came to OSU as a graduate transfer). Additionally, Sanders' return was the longest for an Oklahoma State player since Jalen McCleskey scored on a 67-yarder at Texas Tech last season. As the son of Oklahoma State legend, 1988 Heisman Trophy winner and football hall-of-famer Barry Sanders, Barry J. Sanders making his debut for his dad's alma mater was one of the central storylines entering the game. The younger Sanders did not disappoint, leading the Cowboys with 76 all-purpose yards and averaging 12.7 yards per touch.
Players Mentioned
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