Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Ready for First Top-25 Opponent
October 19, 2020 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Undefeated and ranked No. 6 in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches Polls, the Oklahoma State football team takes on its first ranked opponent when No. 17/18 Iowa State visits Boone Pickens Stadium Saturday.
The series between the Cowboys and Cyclones has been close of late with the last five games decided by one possession.
"I think Iowa State is a well-run organization with smart coaches and players who play with great effort," OSU head coach Mike Gundy said. "I'd say if you watch our team over the same amount of time that our guys play with great effort and are pretty well coached. When you have teams like that I think you have a lot of similarities at the end of games."
Last year's matchup in Ames was the turning point for the Cowboy defense that has been stout through the last six games of the 2019 season and the first three of this year.
"That was a mental lift for our defense," Gundy said. "Since then we have played pretty well overall. We beat a good team up there last year with a quarterback who is going to play in the NFL."
With a unit ranked No. 6 nationally in total defense, Oklahoma State faces a significant challenge in an Iowa State offense led by quarterback Brock Purdy. The Cyclones average nearly 30 points per game.
"Defensively we will have to rally at times," Gundy said. "We have to be really good down in the red zone. They're going to be down in there some because they're good and know how to move the ball. Hopefully we can hold them to field goals instead of touchdowns, which could be a big factor in the game."
On the offensive side of the ball, Gundy feels confident in where that unit is at after putting up 47 points in its last outing and having two weeks to get healthy again, especially at the quarterback position.
"We have two healthy players, so we are in pretty good shape at that spot," he said.
The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday and is televised by FOX.
The series between the Cowboys and Cyclones has been close of late with the last five games decided by one possession.
"I think Iowa State is a well-run organization with smart coaches and players who play with great effort," OSU head coach Mike Gundy said. "I'd say if you watch our team over the same amount of time that our guys play with great effort and are pretty well coached. When you have teams like that I think you have a lot of similarities at the end of games."
Last year's matchup in Ames was the turning point for the Cowboy defense that has been stout through the last six games of the 2019 season and the first three of this year.
"That was a mental lift for our defense," Gundy said. "Since then we have played pretty well overall. We beat a good team up there last year with a quarterback who is going to play in the NFL."
With a unit ranked No. 6 nationally in total defense, Oklahoma State faces a significant challenge in an Iowa State offense led by quarterback Brock Purdy. The Cyclones average nearly 30 points per game.
"Defensively we will have to rally at times," Gundy said. "We have to be really good down in the red zone. They're going to be down in there some because they're good and know how to move the ball. Hopefully we can hold them to field goals instead of touchdowns, which could be a big factor in the game."
On the offensive side of the ball, Gundy feels confident in where that unit is at after putting up 47 points in its last outing and having two weeks to get healthy again, especially at the quarterback position.
"We have two healthy players, so we are in pretty good shape at that spot," he said.
The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday and is televised by FOX.
Oklahoma State SHUTS OUT #4 Texas | Condensed Game Highlights 4-22-26
Thursday, April 23
Audi Crooks is a Cowgirl 🔥 #okstate #collegebasketball #wbb
Monday, April 20
Oklahoma State WINS series over Arizona | Condensed Game Highlights 4-19-26
Sunday, April 19
Mestemaker to Young 🔥 #football #okstate #collegefootball
Sunday, April 19
