Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Camping World Bowl: OSU’s Offense vs. Virginia Tech’s Defense
December 25, 2017 | Cowboy Football
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Oklahoma State football team takes on No. 22 Virginia Tech (9-3 overall; 5-3 ACC) Thursday in the Camping World Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Outside of the College Football Playoff, it is the only bowl this season that pits an FBS top-five scoring offense (OSU) against an FBS top-five scoring defense (Virginia Tech).
OSU fans are more than familiar with the Cowboys' high-flying offense, but they might not be as familiar with the opponent's impressive resume on the other side of the ball.
The Hokies' defense gave up just 13.5 points per game during the regular season to rank No. 4 nationally – the highest ranked defense the Cowboys have faced this year. On top of that, they held all of their opponents under their season average for points scored per game.
"They're really good," receivers coach Kasey Dunn said. "Really talented and they have a bunch of guys running around back there that make plays. Their secondary has a bunch of kids in it that can run, cover and are long. We have our hands full at receiver."
Tech also ranks No. 2 nationally in third-down defense (25 percent), No. 3 nationally in red zone defense (67 percent), No. 5 nationally in first downs allowed (176) and No. 12 nationally in total yards allowed per game (305.3). The Hokies finished the regular season with three shutouts and held their opponent to 10 points or less in six games.
"I think as a collective group they're very, very solid," Dunn said.
The OSU offense, however, will also mark the best offense that Tech has faced this season, as the Cowboys are among the national leaders in total offense (No. 2 - 575.7), passing offense (No. 1 - 392.3), team passing efficiency (No. 3 - 168.78) and scoring offense (No. 3 - 46.3).
Still, OSU's top receiver, the FBS leading receiver and Biletnikoff Award winner James Washington, isn't taking the Tech defense lightly.
"Their corners - and really their whole secondary - is very good," Washington said. "This is a game that the receivers can't take lightly and I feel like it's going to be a battle between both groups. Their whole group can play, even the second and third-string guys."
Their sights are set on a 10th win for a third consecutive season – a feat that has never been done in OSU history.
"It would be fantastic," Dunn said. "It would be our sixth time in the last eight years of getting 10 wins. That's a big goal for us and this is a huge game for us. This is not one you take lightly, and we're going to go out there and try to win it. It's big for recruiting to be able to say that six times in the last eight seasons you got 10 wins. Not many teams and programs can say that."
Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. CT on ESPN.
OSU fans are more than familiar with the Cowboys' high-flying offense, but they might not be as familiar with the opponent's impressive resume on the other side of the ball.
The Hokies' defense gave up just 13.5 points per game during the regular season to rank No. 4 nationally – the highest ranked defense the Cowboys have faced this year. On top of that, they held all of their opponents under their season average for points scored per game.
"They're really good," receivers coach Kasey Dunn said. "Really talented and they have a bunch of guys running around back there that make plays. Their secondary has a bunch of kids in it that can run, cover and are long. We have our hands full at receiver."
Tech also ranks No. 2 nationally in third-down defense (25 percent), No. 3 nationally in red zone defense (67 percent), No. 5 nationally in first downs allowed (176) and No. 12 nationally in total yards allowed per game (305.3). The Hokies finished the regular season with three shutouts and held their opponent to 10 points or less in six games.
"I think as a collective group they're very, very solid," Dunn said.
The OSU offense, however, will also mark the best offense that Tech has faced this season, as the Cowboys are among the national leaders in total offense (No. 2 - 575.7), passing offense (No. 1 - 392.3), team passing efficiency (No. 3 - 168.78) and scoring offense (No. 3 - 46.3).
Still, OSU's top receiver, the FBS leading receiver and Biletnikoff Award winner James Washington, isn't taking the Tech defense lightly.
"Their corners - and really their whole secondary - is very good," Washington said. "This is a game that the receivers can't take lightly and I feel like it's going to be a battle between both groups. Their whole group can play, even the second and third-string guys."
Their sights are set on a 10th win for a third consecutive season – a feat that has never been done in OSU history.
"It would be fantastic," Dunn said. "It would be our sixth time in the last eight years of getting 10 wins. That's a big goal for us and this is a huge game for us. This is not one you take lightly, and we're going to go out there and try to win it. It's big for recruiting to be able to say that six times in the last eight seasons you got 10 wins. Not many teams and programs can say that."
Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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