Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Tracking the Trends: OSU vs. TCU
September 22, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – As the No. 6 Oklahoma State football team prepares to take on No. 16 TCU tomorrow in the Big 12 opener, we take a look at some streaks on the line and other trends to look out for this weekend.
Week Four Talking Points – Offense
• Already atop the list as OSU's all-time leading passer, Cowboy quarterback Mason Rudolph continues to rewrite the record book at Oklahoma State. He owns double-digit school records, and he added even more to his resume last week. With 423 first half passing yards, Rudolph set a new school record for passing yards in a half. It also marked the most for any player in a half against an FBS opponent since the 2013 season. He was pulled early in the third quarter with OSU comfortably ahead, but still finished the game 497 yards and five touchdown passes - all thrown in the first half. He also set a new school mark for consecutive pass attempts without an interception, reaching 216.
• The OSU offense as a whole also set a school record for offensive yards in a half, totaling 516 in the first half against Pitt.
• The Cowboy receivers also got in the record books last week, as OSU recorded four different 100-yard receivers in the game - Jalen McCleskey (162), James Washington (124), Marcell Ateman (109) and Dillon Stoner (100). It was the first time in school history that OSU has had more than two 100-yard receivers in a game, and the first time any team has accomplished the feat since Texas Tech had four 100-yard receivers against Kansas State in 2005.
• The balance between the run game and the pass game makes it especially difficult for opponent to defend OSU's offense. As a result, the Cowboys have outrushed and outpassed their opponents in every game this season, and are ranked third nationally in total offense per game - even while the first team offense and defense have yet to play in a fourth quarter.
Week Four Talking Points – Defense
• The Cowboy defense has continually asserted itself in the opening quarter of games. OSU has not allowed a first quarter point in five straight games - including every game this season and the last two games of last season. That combined with quick starts from the Cowboy offense has made all three of OSU's games this year feel decided early on.
• The OSU defense has been especially good on third downs of late. In the last two games, OSU opponents have converted on just 6 of 25 third downs.
• Non-offensive touchdowns have been a staple of Oklahoma State's success since 2010, as the Cowboys have totaled 42 to rank third nationally during that time span. The defense has continued the trend so far in 2017, scoring in every game this season so far. Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder returned a Tulsa fumble 82 yards for a touchdown in the opener and linebacker Justin Phillips has pick-sixes in each of the last two games - a 25-yard return at South Alabama and a 10-yard return at Pittsburgh. OSU's three defensive touchdowns rank second in the nation this year.
• The Cowboys have forced a turnover in 17 consecutive games, including six in the last three games. Forcing turnovers has long been an emphasis for OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, and after three games in 2017, OSU ranks second in the conference with six turnovers forced.
• OSU wrapped up the 2016 season ranked 13th nationally in red zone defense, only allowing opponents to score on 75 percent of their red zone opportunities. They rank in the top 15 in red zone defense so far in 2017, allowing opponents to score just five times in eight red zone trips on the year.
• OSU's first team defense has excelled through three games at keeping opponents out of the endzone. Although the Cowboys have given up 17.3 points per game thus far, two touchdowns were non-offensive touchdowns and two came in late game situations with the first team and some of the second team resting on the sideline. Without those points included, OSU's starting defense is allowing just 8.0 points per game.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the TCU Game
• Oklahoma State has won 11 of its last 12 games overall.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 33 touchdown passes against just three interceptions in his last 12 games.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 35 games - the second longest active streak in the country.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 25 games.
• Oklahoma State has not trailed at any point in its last four games.
• The Cowboy defense has not allowed a first quarter point in its last five games, dating back to last season.
• OSU is 11-1 in its last 12 games decided by less than 10 points.
• Oklahoma State has outrushed its opponent in four straight games and in six of its last seven games.
• Oklahoma State has won 25 of its last 31 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 32 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 43 straight.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 17 straight games and in 26 of the last 27 games, dating back to 2015.
• OSU has scored a defensive touchdown every game this season.
• 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 11 opponents to a total of minus-20 punt return yards.
Week Four Talking Points – Offense
• Already atop the list as OSU's all-time leading passer, Cowboy quarterback Mason Rudolph continues to rewrite the record book at Oklahoma State. He owns double-digit school records, and he added even more to his resume last week. With 423 first half passing yards, Rudolph set a new school record for passing yards in a half. It also marked the most for any player in a half against an FBS opponent since the 2013 season. He was pulled early in the third quarter with OSU comfortably ahead, but still finished the game 497 yards and five touchdown passes - all thrown in the first half. He also set a new school mark for consecutive pass attempts without an interception, reaching 216.
• The OSU offense as a whole also set a school record for offensive yards in a half, totaling 516 in the first half against Pitt.
• The Cowboy receivers also got in the record books last week, as OSU recorded four different 100-yard receivers in the game - Jalen McCleskey (162), James Washington (124), Marcell Ateman (109) and Dillon Stoner (100). It was the first time in school history that OSU has had more than two 100-yard receivers in a game, and the first time any team has accomplished the feat since Texas Tech had four 100-yard receivers against Kansas State in 2005.
• The balance between the run game and the pass game makes it especially difficult for opponent to defend OSU's offense. As a result, the Cowboys have outrushed and outpassed their opponents in every game this season, and are ranked third nationally in total offense per game - even while the first team offense and defense have yet to play in a fourth quarter.
Week Four Talking Points – Defense
• The Cowboy defense has continually asserted itself in the opening quarter of games. OSU has not allowed a first quarter point in five straight games - including every game this season and the last two games of last season. That combined with quick starts from the Cowboy offense has made all three of OSU's games this year feel decided early on.
• The OSU defense has been especially good on third downs of late. In the last two games, OSU opponents have converted on just 6 of 25 third downs.
• Non-offensive touchdowns have been a staple of Oklahoma State's success since 2010, as the Cowboys have totaled 42 to rank third nationally during that time span. The defense has continued the trend so far in 2017, scoring in every game this season so far. Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder returned a Tulsa fumble 82 yards for a touchdown in the opener and linebacker Justin Phillips has pick-sixes in each of the last two games - a 25-yard return at South Alabama and a 10-yard return at Pittsburgh. OSU's three defensive touchdowns rank second in the nation this year.
• The Cowboys have forced a turnover in 17 consecutive games, including six in the last three games. Forcing turnovers has long been an emphasis for OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, and after three games in 2017, OSU ranks second in the conference with six turnovers forced.
• OSU wrapped up the 2016 season ranked 13th nationally in red zone defense, only allowing opponents to score on 75 percent of their red zone opportunities. They rank in the top 15 in red zone defense so far in 2017, allowing opponents to score just five times in eight red zone trips on the year.
• OSU's first team defense has excelled through three games at keeping opponents out of the endzone. Although the Cowboys have given up 17.3 points per game thus far, two touchdowns were non-offensive touchdowns and two came in late game situations with the first team and some of the second team resting on the sideline. Without those points included, OSU's starting defense is allowing just 8.0 points per game.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the TCU Game
• Oklahoma State has won 11 of its last 12 games overall.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 33 touchdown passes against just three interceptions in his last 12 games.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 35 games - the second longest active streak in the country.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 25 games.
• Oklahoma State has not trailed at any point in its last four games.
• The Cowboy defense has not allowed a first quarter point in its last five games, dating back to last season.
• OSU is 11-1 in its last 12 games decided by less than 10 points.
• Oklahoma State has outrushed its opponent in four straight games and in six of its last seven games.
• Oklahoma State has won 25 of its last 31 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 32 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 43 straight.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 17 straight games and in 26 of the last 27 games, dating back to 2015.
• OSU has scored a defensive touchdown every game this season.
• 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 11 opponents to a total of minus-20 punt return yards.
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