Oklahoma State University Athletics
Saturday, October 14
Stillwater, OK
2:30 p.m. CT
Oklahoma State University
vs
Baylor
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Game Notes: OSU Hosts Baylor in Homecoming Game
October 09, 2017 | Cowboy Football
*Complete notes in PDF format
The Basics
    The No. 14/14 Oklahoma State football team (4-1 overall; 1-1 Big 12) hosts Baylor (0-5 overall; 0-2 Big 12) in the Cowboys' annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct.14. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on FS1.
Ticket Info
   Saturday marks the third home game in OSU's "SEAson of Orange," where all Oklahoma State fans are encouraged to dress in orange every game. Single game tickets and season tickets are still available, but fans are encouraged to act quickly as the first two home games this season were both sellouts. Tickets can be purchased online at okstate.com/tickets or by phone at 877-ALL-4-OSU. The ticket office can also be reached by email at tickets@okstate.edu.
On the Air
   The game will be televised by FS1 with Justin Kutcher, Mark Helfrich and Petros Papadakis 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 for free through TuneIn Radio or the TuneIn Radio app. The game will also be covered on national radio by Compass Sports Media with Gregg Daniels and Tony Hill on the call.
In the Rankings
   Oklahoma State is ranked No. 14 in both the Associated Press poll and the Amway Coaches Poll. The Cowboys have been ranked in the top 15 of both polls since week 12 of the 2016 season.
   Including this season, OSU has reached the top 15 of the A.P. poll at some point in nine of the past 10 seasons and the top 10 of the A.P. poll in eight of the last 10 seasons. This week's game against Baylor marks the 89th time in the Cowboys' last 120 games that OSU has been ranked by the A.P. entering a game. Baylor is not ranked.
   Although the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2017 aren't released until October 31, it is worth noting that the Cowboys are one of only seven teams to be ranked in every set of CFP rankings since the beginning of 2015, joining Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and Utah.
Homecoming Activities
   Homecoming is a big deal at Oklahoma State. This year's Homecoming theme is "Herald Your Fame" in reference to the Oklahoma State Alma Mater. For a full list of activities, visit the OSU Alumni Association website, orangeconnection.org, but below is an abbreviated look at some of the events planned for the week:
Sunday, Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. - Orange Fountain Dyeing at Edmon Low Library Fountain
Monday, Oct. 9 from 5-7 p.m. - Homecoming tailgate for OSU students at Kerr-Drummond Plaza
Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 6-8 p.m. - Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook Off at the Payne County Expo Center
Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m. - Hester Street Painting between Morrill and Athletic Avenues
Thursday, Oct. 12 at Dusk - Orange Reflection at OSU residence halls
Friday, Oct. 13 from 5:30-9 p.m. - Walkaround in the Greek Neighborhood and then Homecoming and Hoops from 9-10:30 p.m. inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Saturday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. - Sea of Orange Parade on Main Street
Noting the Cowboys in Homecoming Games
   Oklahoma State owns an all-time record of 52-36-7 in homecoming games. The Cowboys have won eight of their last 10 and 30 of their last 45 Homecoming games.
The Series
   Saturday's game marks the 36th contest between Oklahoma State and Baylor. OSU leads the all-time series, 19-16, and holds a 12-5 all-time advantage over BU in Stillwater. Since the formation of the Big 12 Conference, the Cowboys have won 16 of their 21 matchups against the Bears, but Baylor has won the last three. The Cowboys have also been tough to beat at home in recent series history, winning 11 of the last 12 meetings in Stillwater. Mike Gundy is 7-5 in his career against Baylor. Saturday marks Matt Rhule's first time coaching against OSU.
Oklahoma State From a Distance
   The Cowboys are 4-1 on the year and enter Saturday's game against Baylor after an open week. The week prior to that, OSU handed Texas Tech its only loss of the season thus far, winning 41-34 behind a five-touchdown day from quarterback Mason Rudolph (three passing and two rushing).
   That game was just the latest in a long string of impressive outings for the Heisman-shortlisted senior, marking his sixth consecutive game with at least 300 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. The Rock Hill, S.C., native is the No. 1 ranked player in the country in points responsible for and is ranked among the top five players nationally in nearly every major passing statistic. He's also OSU's all-time leading passer and holds at least 28 OSU records.
   Rudolph's biggest asset is his receiving corps. In just five games, OSU has had nine 100-yard receiving performances, with four players contributing at least one: James Washington (four), Marcell Ateman (three), Jalen McCleskey (one) and Dillon Stoner (one). Those four all had a 100-yard day at Pitt, marking the first time an FBS team has had four 100-yard receivers in a game since Texas Tech in 2005.
   The Oklahoma State defense has been opportunistic, scoring three defensive touchdowns to rank fourth nationally this season. The Cowboys have started games strongly as well, allowing just 13 first-quarter points all season.
Baylor From a Distance
   Baylor is also coming off an open week, giving both teams two weeks to prepare for the matchup. The Bears enter the game with a 0-5 overall record and an 0-2 mark in conference play, but each one of their games has been closely contested.
   Three of BU's losses have been decided by just one possession, including a 49-41 loss to then-No. 3 Oklahoma on Sept. 23. The Bears have only been outscored by an average of 9.0 points per game.
   While Baylor has not put up video game numbers this season, it should be noted that the Bears remain very capable of ripping off big plays. In Bill Connelly's most recent IsoPPP ranking, which measures the explosive play ability of each FBS team, Baylor's offense ranks second in the nation overall. According to Connelly's rankings, the BU passing game is sixth nationally in IsoPPP and its run game is 13th nationally in IsoPPP. The duo of Denzel Mims and Chris Platt has combined for 12 receiving touchdowns on the year. Both players average more than 20 yards per reception and more than 100 receiving yards per game.
   On special teams, the Bears rank third in the FBS with a net punting average of 43.4.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Mark the eighth time it has started 5-1 or better during the Mike Gundy era.
• Improve its all-time series advantage vs. Baylor to 20-16.
• Give it 17 wins in its last 22 games vs. Baylor and 12 wins in its last 13 home games vs. Baylor.
• Improve Mike Gundy's record against Baylor to 8-5.
• Give the Cowboys wins in 13 of their last 15 games overall.
• Improve the Cowboys to 57-6 in their last 63 games against unranked opponents, dating back to 2010.
• Give it wins in 23 of its last 24 games when playing as a ranked team against an unranked opponent.
• Improve Mike Gundy's career record in conference games to 65-40.
• Improve the Cowboys to 46-19 in Big 12 Conference games since 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
• Oklahoma State has won 12 of its last 14 games overall.
• OSU has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 34 games - the longest active streak in the nation.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 38 touchdown passes against just six interceptions in his last 14 games.
• Rudolph has thrown for 300 yards in six straight games - the second longest active streak in the nation. The streak is only one behind the longest streak of seven held by UCLA's Josh Rosen.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in 37 straight games - the second-longest active streak in FBS.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 27 games.
• OSU is outscoring opponents, 73-13, in first quarters this year. It has a first quarter shutout in five of its last seven games.
• OSU is 12-1 in its last 13 games decided by less than 10 points.
• OSU has outrushed its opponent in five of its last six games and in seven of its last nine games.
• Oklahoma State has won 26 of its last 33 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• OSU has forced at least one turnover in 19 straight games and in 28 of the last 29 games, dating to 2015.
• OSU has scored a defensive touchdown in three of its last five games.
• Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 30 of their last 32 games when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to 2008, the Cowboys have won 52 of their last 57 games when winning the turnover battle.
• Oklahoma State has held its last 13 opponents to a total of minus-23 punt return yards.
Connections
• OSU CB Adrian Baker and BU OL Jake Fruhmorgen went to Clemson.
• OSU OL Deionte Noel and BU OL Josh Malin went to Steele HS in Cibolo, Texas.
• OSU CB A.J. Green & WR Chris Lacy & BU LB Taylor Young & OL Xavier Newman went to DeSoto HS in Texas.
• OSU DT DeQuinton Osborne and BU WR Tony Nicholson went to South Grand Prairie HS in Texas.
• OSU CW Keenen Brown & LB Kenneth Edison-McGruder & BU OL Eleasah Anderson went to Alief Taylor in Houston.
• OSU CW Tyler Ferguson and BU LS Ross Matiscik went to Boyd HS in McKinney, Texas.
• OSU DT Ben Hughes went to University HS in Waco, Texas.
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The Basics
    The No. 14/14 Oklahoma State football team (4-1 overall; 1-1 Big 12) hosts Baylor (0-5 overall; 0-2 Big 12) in the Cowboys' annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct.14. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on FS1.
Ticket Info
   Saturday marks the third home game in OSU's "SEAson of Orange," where all Oklahoma State fans are encouraged to dress in orange every game. Single game tickets and season tickets are still available, but fans are encouraged to act quickly as the first two home games this season were both sellouts. Tickets can be purchased online at okstate.com/tickets or by phone at 877-ALL-4-OSU. The ticket office can also be reached by email at tickets@okstate.edu.
On the Air
   The game will be televised by FS1 with Justin Kutcher, Mark Helfrich and Petros Papadakis 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 for free through TuneIn Radio or the TuneIn Radio app. The game will also be covered on national radio by Compass Sports Media with Gregg Daniels and Tony Hill on the call.
In the Rankings
   Oklahoma State is ranked No. 14 in both the Associated Press poll and the Amway Coaches Poll. The Cowboys have been ranked in the top 15 of both polls since week 12 of the 2016 season.
   Including this season, OSU has reached the top 15 of the A.P. poll at some point in nine of the past 10 seasons and the top 10 of the A.P. poll in eight of the last 10 seasons. This week's game against Baylor marks the 89th time in the Cowboys' last 120 games that OSU has been ranked by the A.P. entering a game. Baylor is not ranked.
   Although the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2017 aren't released until October 31, it is worth noting that the Cowboys are one of only seven teams to be ranked in every set of CFP rankings since the beginning of 2015, joining Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and Utah.
Homecoming Activities
   Homecoming is a big deal at Oklahoma State. This year's Homecoming theme is "Herald Your Fame" in reference to the Oklahoma State Alma Mater. For a full list of activities, visit the OSU Alumni Association website, orangeconnection.org, but below is an abbreviated look at some of the events planned for the week:
Sunday, Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. - Orange Fountain Dyeing at Edmon Low Library Fountain
Monday, Oct. 9 from 5-7 p.m. - Homecoming tailgate for OSU students at Kerr-Drummond Plaza
Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 6-8 p.m. - Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook Off at the Payne County Expo Center
Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m. - Hester Street Painting between Morrill and Athletic Avenues
Thursday, Oct. 12 at Dusk - Orange Reflection at OSU residence halls
Friday, Oct. 13 from 5:30-9 p.m. - Walkaround in the Greek Neighborhood and then Homecoming and Hoops from 9-10:30 p.m. inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Saturday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. - Sea of Orange Parade on Main Street
Noting the Cowboys in Homecoming Games
   Oklahoma State owns an all-time record of 52-36-7 in homecoming games. The Cowboys have won eight of their last 10 and 30 of their last 45 Homecoming games.
The Series
   Saturday's game marks the 36th contest between Oklahoma State and Baylor. OSU leads the all-time series, 19-16, and holds a 12-5 all-time advantage over BU in Stillwater. Since the formation of the Big 12 Conference, the Cowboys have won 16 of their 21 matchups against the Bears, but Baylor has won the last three. The Cowboys have also been tough to beat at home in recent series history, winning 11 of the last 12 meetings in Stillwater. Mike Gundy is 7-5 in his career against Baylor. Saturday marks Matt Rhule's first time coaching against OSU.
Oklahoma State From a Distance
   The Cowboys are 4-1 on the year and enter Saturday's game against Baylor after an open week. The week prior to that, OSU handed Texas Tech its only loss of the season thus far, winning 41-34 behind a five-touchdown day from quarterback Mason Rudolph (three passing and two rushing).
   That game was just the latest in a long string of impressive outings for the Heisman-shortlisted senior, marking his sixth consecutive game with at least 300 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. The Rock Hill, S.C., native is the No. 1 ranked player in the country in points responsible for and is ranked among the top five players nationally in nearly every major passing statistic. He's also OSU's all-time leading passer and holds at least 28 OSU records.
   Rudolph's biggest asset is his receiving corps. In just five games, OSU has had nine 100-yard receiving performances, with four players contributing at least one: James Washington (four), Marcell Ateman (three), Jalen McCleskey (one) and Dillon Stoner (one). Those four all had a 100-yard day at Pitt, marking the first time an FBS team has had four 100-yard receivers in a game since Texas Tech in 2005.
   The Oklahoma State defense has been opportunistic, scoring three defensive touchdowns to rank fourth nationally this season. The Cowboys have started games strongly as well, allowing just 13 first-quarter points all season.
Baylor From a Distance
   Baylor is also coming off an open week, giving both teams two weeks to prepare for the matchup. The Bears enter the game with a 0-5 overall record and an 0-2 mark in conference play, but each one of their games has been closely contested.
   Three of BU's losses have been decided by just one possession, including a 49-41 loss to then-No. 3 Oklahoma on Sept. 23. The Bears have only been outscored by an average of 9.0 points per game.
   While Baylor has not put up video game numbers this season, it should be noted that the Bears remain very capable of ripping off big plays. In Bill Connelly's most recent IsoPPP ranking, which measures the explosive play ability of each FBS team, Baylor's offense ranks second in the nation overall. According to Connelly's rankings, the BU passing game is sixth nationally in IsoPPP and its run game is 13th nationally in IsoPPP. The duo of Denzel Mims and Chris Platt has combined for 12 receiving touchdowns on the year. Both players average more than 20 yards per reception and more than 100 receiving yards per game.
   On special teams, the Bears rank third in the FBS with a net punting average of 43.4.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Mark the eighth time it has started 5-1 or better during the Mike Gundy era.
• Improve its all-time series advantage vs. Baylor to 20-16.
• Give it 17 wins in its last 22 games vs. Baylor and 12 wins in its last 13 home games vs. Baylor.
• Improve Mike Gundy's record against Baylor to 8-5.
• Give the Cowboys wins in 13 of their last 15 games overall.
• Improve the Cowboys to 57-6 in their last 63 games against unranked opponents, dating back to 2010.
• Give it wins in 23 of its last 24 games when playing as a ranked team against an unranked opponent.
• Improve Mike Gundy's career record in conference games to 65-40.
• Improve the Cowboys to 46-19 in Big 12 Conference games since 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
• Oklahoma State has won 12 of its last 14 games overall.
• OSU has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 34 games - the longest active streak in the nation.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 38 touchdown passes against just six interceptions in his last 14 games.
• Rudolph has thrown for 300 yards in six straight games - the second longest active streak in the nation. The streak is only one behind the longest streak of seven held by UCLA's Josh Rosen.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in 37 straight games - the second-longest active streak in FBS.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 27 games.
• OSU is outscoring opponents, 73-13, in first quarters this year. It has a first quarter shutout in five of its last seven games.
• OSU is 12-1 in its last 13 games decided by less than 10 points.
• OSU has outrushed its opponent in five of its last six games and in seven of its last nine games.
• Oklahoma State has won 26 of its last 33 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• OSU has forced at least one turnover in 19 straight games and in 28 of the last 29 games, dating to 2015.
• OSU has scored a defensive touchdown in three of its last five games.
• Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 30 of their last 32 games when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to 2008, the Cowboys have won 52 of their last 57 games when winning the turnover battle.
• Oklahoma State has held its last 13 opponents to a total of minus-23 punt return yards.
Connections
• OSU CB Adrian Baker and BU OL Jake Fruhmorgen went to Clemson.
• OSU OL Deionte Noel and BU OL Josh Malin went to Steele HS in Cibolo, Texas.
• OSU CB A.J. Green & WR Chris Lacy & BU LB Taylor Young & OL Xavier Newman went to DeSoto HS in Texas.
• OSU DT DeQuinton Osborne and BU WR Tony Nicholson went to South Grand Prairie HS in Texas.
• OSU CW Keenen Brown & LB Kenneth Edison-McGruder & BU OL Eleasah Anderson went to Alief Taylor in Houston.
• OSU CW Tyler Ferguson and BU LS Ross Matiscik went to Boyd HS in McKinney, Texas.
• OSU DT Ben Hughes went to University HS in Waco, Texas.
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Players Mentioned
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