Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Tracking the Trends: OSU at Texas Tech
September 29, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – As the Oklahoma State football team prepares to take on Texas Tech tomorrow in Lubbock, we take a look at some streaks on the line and other trends to look out for this weekend.
Week Five Talking Points – Offense
• Already OSU's all-time leading passer, Mason Rudolph continues to rewrite the record book at Oklahoma State. He owns no fewer than 18 school records, and he's added even more to his resume the last two weeks. With 423 first half passing yards against Pitt, Rudolph set a new school record for passing yards in a half. Against TCU last week, Rudolph threw for 398 yards to surpass the 300-yard mark for a fifth straight game to set a new OSU record for consecutive games with at least 300 passing yards.
• The Cowboy receivers are also denting the record books. OSU recorded four different 100-yard receivers in the game at Pitt - 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 FBS team has accomplished the feat since Texas Tech had four 100-yard receivers against Kansas State in 2005.
• James Washington has lived up to the hype as the preseason Biletnikoff Award favorite and preseason AP All-American. He's gone over 100 yards receiving in every game but one (in which he had 98) and ranks second nationally in receiving yards with 520, despite sitting out the fourth quarter in each of OSU's three blowout non-conference wins.
• The balance between the run game and the pass game makes it especially difficult for opponents to defend OSU's offense. The Cowboys have outpassed their opponents in every game this season and have outrushed them in all but one. OSU is ranked fourth nationally in total offense per game.
Week Five 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 of its last six games, and has only allowed six total points in the first quarter this season.
• 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 each of the first three games of this season. Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder returned a Tulsa fumble 82 yards for a touchdown in the opener and linebacker Justin Phillips had pick-sixes in back-to-back 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 18 consecutive games, including seven this season. Forcing turnovers has long been an emphasis for OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer.
• Although the Cowboys rank fourth in the conference in scoring defense this season at 24.0 points per game, 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 17.0 points per game.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Texas Tech Game
• Oklahoma State has won 11 of its last 13 games overall.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 35 touchdown passes against just five interceptions in his last 13 games.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 36 games - the second longest active streak in the country.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 26 games.
• The Cowboys are outscoring their opponents in the first quarter, 66-6, this year, and have not allowed a first quarter point in five of their last six games.
• OSU is 11-1 in its last 12 games decided by less than 10 points.
• Oklahoma State has outrushed its opponent in four of its last five games and in six of its last eight games.
• Oklahoma State has won 25 of its last 32 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 33 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 44 straight.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 18 straight games and in 27 of the last 28 games, dating back to 2015.
• OSU has scored a defensive touchdown in three of its last four 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 12 opponents to a total of minus-23 punt return yards.
Week Five Talking Points – Offense
• Already OSU's all-time leading passer, Mason Rudolph continues to rewrite the record book at Oklahoma State. He owns no fewer than 18 school records, and he's added even more to his resume the last two weeks. With 423 first half passing yards against Pitt, Rudolph set a new school record for passing yards in a half. Against TCU last week, Rudolph threw for 398 yards to surpass the 300-yard mark for a fifth straight game to set a new OSU record for consecutive games with at least 300 passing yards.
• The Cowboy receivers are also denting the record books. OSU recorded four different 100-yard receivers in the game at Pitt - 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 FBS team has accomplished the feat since Texas Tech had four 100-yard receivers against Kansas State in 2005.
• James Washington has lived up to the hype as the preseason Biletnikoff Award favorite and preseason AP All-American. He's gone over 100 yards receiving in every game but one (in which he had 98) and ranks second nationally in receiving yards with 520, despite sitting out the fourth quarter in each of OSU's three blowout non-conference wins.
• The balance between the run game and the pass game makes it especially difficult for opponents to defend OSU's offense. The Cowboys have outpassed their opponents in every game this season and have outrushed them in all but one. OSU is ranked fourth nationally in total offense per game.
Week Five 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 of its last six games, and has only allowed six total points in the first quarter this season.
• 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 each of the first three games of this season. Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder returned a Tulsa fumble 82 yards for a touchdown in the opener and linebacker Justin Phillips had pick-sixes in back-to-back 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 18 consecutive games, including seven this season. Forcing turnovers has long been an emphasis for OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer.
• Although the Cowboys rank fourth in the conference in scoring defense this season at 24.0 points per game, 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 17.0 points per game.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Texas Tech Game
• Oklahoma State has won 11 of its last 13 games overall.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 35 touchdown passes against just five interceptions in his last 13 games.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 36 games - the second longest active streak in the country.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 26 games.
• The Cowboys are outscoring their opponents in the first quarter, 66-6, this year, and have not allowed a first quarter point in five of their last six games.
• OSU is 11-1 in its last 12 games decided by less than 10 points.
• Oklahoma State has outrushed its opponent in four of its last five games and in six of its last eight games.
• Oklahoma State has won 25 of its last 32 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 33 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 44 straight.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 18 straight games and in 27 of the last 28 games, dating back to 2015.
• OSU has scored a defensive touchdown in three of its last four 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 12 opponents to a total of minus-23 punt return yards.
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