Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Defense Ready to Show Out and Shutout
September 02, 2020 | Cowboy Football
Sept. 2 Media Availability
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State enters the 2020 season ranked No. 15 in the Associated Press poll with a defense that is ready to show its improvement come week one.
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The Cowboy defense improved over the course of last season holding each of its final six opponents below their season scoring average. That six-game stretch started with a road game at Iowa State when the defense forced three fourth-quarter interceptions on consecutive possessions, including the game-clincher by safety Tre Sterling.
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"After that Iowa State game we knew we weren't just trying to hold teams back from getting points, but we're trying to get shutouts," Sterling said. "That's the mentality this year."
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In a secondary full of experienced players, senior cornerback Rodarius Williams is as experienced as they come being a three-year starter for the Cowboys.
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"Our level of play has been outstanding going back to day one of fall camp," Williams said. "We came out with a passion to not give up a ball and our competition level has been top tier."
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Competition has been the theme of fall camp for the Cowboy defense. Ten of 11 starters return from last season's group and a load of role players who played meaningful snaps are looking to make a name for themselves like Sterling did last year. With two tackles to his name entering 2019, Sterling racked up 70 stops over his redshirt sophomore season and is now trying to take on more of a quarterback role on the defensive side of the ball.
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"I'm really focusing more on learning the entire defense as a whole and how the unit works as a system," Sterling said. "I have all the defensive back stuff down from corner to my position. I have the majority of the linebacker stuff down, so now I'm starting to work on the defensive line. I'm trying to get a grasp of what the ultimate goal is with each and every call against each type of formation we get from each offense."
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The Cowboy defense will have its first opportunity to pitch a shutout since 2012 in front of its home fans when the Pokes take on Tulsa on Sept. 12.
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"Some people are going to be surprised," Sterling said. "Oklahoma State and the Big 12 is not really known for its defense, but some people are going to be surprised what they see come week one. Just be ready for it."
Â
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State enters the 2020 season ranked No. 15 in the Associated Press poll with a defense that is ready to show its improvement come week one.
Â
The Cowboy defense improved over the course of last season holding each of its final six opponents below their season scoring average. That six-game stretch started with a road game at Iowa State when the defense forced three fourth-quarter interceptions on consecutive possessions, including the game-clincher by safety Tre Sterling.
Â
"After that Iowa State game we knew we weren't just trying to hold teams back from getting points, but we're trying to get shutouts," Sterling said. "That's the mentality this year."
Â
In a secondary full of experienced players, senior cornerback Rodarius Williams is as experienced as they come being a three-year starter for the Cowboys.
Â
"Our level of play has been outstanding going back to day one of fall camp," Williams said. "We came out with a passion to not give up a ball and our competition level has been top tier."
Â
Competition has been the theme of fall camp for the Cowboy defense. Ten of 11 starters return from last season's group and a load of role players who played meaningful snaps are looking to make a name for themselves like Sterling did last year. With two tackles to his name entering 2019, Sterling racked up 70 stops over his redshirt sophomore season and is now trying to take on more of a quarterback role on the defensive side of the ball.
Â
"I'm really focusing more on learning the entire defense as a whole and how the unit works as a system," Sterling said. "I have all the defensive back stuff down from corner to my position. I have the majority of the linebacker stuff down, so now I'm starting to work on the defensive line. I'm trying to get a grasp of what the ultimate goal is with each and every call against each type of formation we get from each offense."
Â
The Cowboy defense will have its first opportunity to pitch a shutout since 2012 in front of its home fans when the Pokes take on Tulsa on Sept. 12.
Â
"Some people are going to be surprised," Sterling said. "Oklahoma State and the Big 12 is not really known for its defense, but some people are going to be surprised what they see come week one. Just be ready for it."
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