Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Tracking the Trends: OSU vs. South Alabama
September 07, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – As the Oklahoma State football team prepares to take on South Alabama tomorrow in Mobile, we take a look at streaks on the line and other trends to look out for this weekend.
Week Two Talking Points – Offense
• Oklahoma State already had a reputation for explosive offensive numbers, and week one only cemented its reputation. Against Tulsa, the Cowboys put up 10.2 yards per play to establish the second-highest single game total in school history. Quarterback Mason Rudolph was a large part of the success, putting up 303 passing yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions on 20-for-24 passing. On top of all that, he added a rushing touchdown as well.
• The Cowboy receivers had a lot ot do with that success as well. Tyron Johnson hauled in a 44-yard touchdown catch on OSU's first possession - the first time he was thrown to in his career as a Cowboy. Biletnikoff favorite James Washington hauled in six catches for 145 yards and two long scores. Marcell Ateman contributed 49 yards on his first catch in more than a year after being sidelined to injury last year. Slot receiver Dillon Stoner was also impressive with four catches in his return from last year's injury, and Chris Lacy continued his production as well.
• The foundation of OSU's record-book offensive outing came from the rushing attack, as three Cowboys surpassed 90 yards on the ground. Sophomore Justice Hill picked up where he left off as last year's NCAA freshman rushing champion, rushing for 132 yards and a score on 15 carries. Freshmen J.D. King and LD Brown provided a glimpse at some solid depth as well, each with a gain of more than 70 yards and finishing with more than 90 yards rushing and a score.
Week Two Talking Points – Defense
• One of Oklahoma State's biggest successes last season was winning the field position battle. More specifically, giving their opponents a long way to go when they get the ball. The Cowboys led the nation in opponent starting field position in 2016, as OSU opponents started on average at their own 23.6-yard line. The Cowboys continued that trend in week one, as Tulsa never started past their own 25-yard line on any of OSU's nine kickoffs. Tulsa average starting field position for the game was its own 25.1-yard line.
• The Cowboys also continued their trend of forcing and making the most out of turnovers against the Golden Hurricane. Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder and safety Jerel Morrow both recovered fumbles for the Cowboy defense, and Edison-McGruder managed to follow his recovery with an 82-yard return for touchdown, marking OSU's fourth-longest fumble return in history and the longest since a 93-yard return by Terrence Robinson at Kansas in 2002. Last year, the Cowboys averaged +0.85 turnovers per game to rank No. 10 nationally in turnover margin. OSU has ranked in the top 10 nationally in that category in three of the past four seasons and led the nation in turnover margin in 2011. There is no doubt the emphasis is the same in 2017.
• 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. Success in that area could have a big impact on the Cowboys' win-loss record this season. Against Tulsa, the Cowboys stopped the Golden Hurricane on two of its four red zone chances.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the South Alabama Game
• Oklahoma State has won nine of its last 10 games overall.
• OSU is 11-1 in its last 12 games decided by less than 10 points.
• Oklahoma State has rushed for more than 200 yards in four of its last five games.
• Oklahoma State has trailed at some point in six of its last 10 wins.
• Oklahoma State has won 23 of its last 29 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 30 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 41 straight.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 15 straight games and in 24 of the last 25 games, dating back to 2015.
• Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 29 of their last 31 games when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to 2008, the Cowboys have won 51 of their last 56 games when winning the turnover battle.
• Oklahoma State has held its last nine opponents to a total of minus-20 punt return yards.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 25 touchdown passes against just two interceptions in his last 10 games.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 33 games.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 23 games.
Week Two Talking Points – Offense
• Oklahoma State already had a reputation for explosive offensive numbers, and week one only cemented its reputation. Against Tulsa, the Cowboys put up 10.2 yards per play to establish the second-highest single game total in school history. Quarterback Mason Rudolph was a large part of the success, putting up 303 passing yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions on 20-for-24 passing. On top of all that, he added a rushing touchdown as well.
• The Cowboy receivers had a lot ot do with that success as well. Tyron Johnson hauled in a 44-yard touchdown catch on OSU's first possession - the first time he was thrown to in his career as a Cowboy. Biletnikoff favorite James Washington hauled in six catches for 145 yards and two long scores. Marcell Ateman contributed 49 yards on his first catch in more than a year after being sidelined to injury last year. Slot receiver Dillon Stoner was also impressive with four catches in his return from last year's injury, and Chris Lacy continued his production as well.
• The foundation of OSU's record-book offensive outing came from the rushing attack, as three Cowboys surpassed 90 yards on the ground. Sophomore Justice Hill picked up where he left off as last year's NCAA freshman rushing champion, rushing for 132 yards and a score on 15 carries. Freshmen J.D. King and LD Brown provided a glimpse at some solid depth as well, each with a gain of more than 70 yards and finishing with more than 90 yards rushing and a score.
Week Two Talking Points – Defense
• One of Oklahoma State's biggest successes last season was winning the field position battle. More specifically, giving their opponents a long way to go when they get the ball. The Cowboys led the nation in opponent starting field position in 2016, as OSU opponents started on average at their own 23.6-yard line. The Cowboys continued that trend in week one, as Tulsa never started past their own 25-yard line on any of OSU's nine kickoffs. Tulsa average starting field position for the game was its own 25.1-yard line.
• The Cowboys also continued their trend of forcing and making the most out of turnovers against the Golden Hurricane. Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder and safety Jerel Morrow both recovered fumbles for the Cowboy defense, and Edison-McGruder managed to follow his recovery with an 82-yard return for touchdown, marking OSU's fourth-longest fumble return in history and the longest since a 93-yard return by Terrence Robinson at Kansas in 2002. Last year, the Cowboys averaged +0.85 turnovers per game to rank No. 10 nationally in turnover margin. OSU has ranked in the top 10 nationally in that category in three of the past four seasons and led the nation in turnover margin in 2011. There is no doubt the emphasis is the same in 2017.
• 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. Success in that area could have a big impact on the Cowboys' win-loss record this season. Against Tulsa, the Cowboys stopped the Golden Hurricane on two of its four red zone chances.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the South Alabama Game
• Oklahoma State has won nine of its last 10 games overall.
• OSU is 11-1 in its last 12 games decided by less than 10 points.
• Oklahoma State has rushed for more than 200 yards in four of its last five games.
• Oklahoma State has trailed at some point in six of its last 10 wins.
• Oklahoma State has won 23 of its last 29 games overall, dating back to the end of the 2014 season.
• Oklahoma State has scored at least 20 points in each of its last 30 games - the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Oregon's streak of 41 straight.
• Oklahoma State's defense has forced at least one turnover in 15 straight games and in 24 of the last 25 games, dating back to 2015.
• Dating back to 2005, the Cowboys have won 29 of their last 31 games when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to 2008, the Cowboys have won 51 of their last 56 games when winning the turnover battle.
• Oklahoma State has held its last nine opponents to a total of minus-20 punt return yards.
• QB Mason Rudolph has thrown 25 touchdown passes against just two interceptions in his last 10 games.
• Receiver James Washington has at least one catch in each of his last 33 games.
• Receiver Jalen McCleskey has at least one catch in each of his last 23 games.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Cowboy Football
RB
/ Cowboy Football
LB
/ Cowboy Football
RB
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy Football
RB
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy Football
S
/ Cowboy Football
QB
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy FootballTuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
