Nov. 15, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
No. 12/13 Oklahoma State vs. Colorado
Thurs., Nov. 19, 2009 :: 6:30 p.m. :: Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 cap.)
TV: ESPN (Chris Fowler, Craig James and Jesse Palmer)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 125 and XM Channel 231
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The Home Finale
The Oklahoma State Cowboys will conclude the home portion of the 2009 football season Thursday night when they host the Colorado Buffaloes in another Big 12 battle. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. with ESPN on hand to televise the game to a national audience.
In The Booth
Calling the action for ESPN will be Chris Fowler, Craig James and Jesse Palmer. That same ESPN crew was on hand for the Cowboys' appearance in the 2008 Holiday Bowl against Oregon. James was also in town to call the Texas Tech-OSU game last week for ABC. The Holiday Bowl was OSU's last appearance on ESPN, although OSU has been featured on ESPN2 twice this season (Missouri and Texas).
Don't Forget...It's Thursday
The Cowboys will be playing their first Thursday game since Sept. 8, 2005, when OSU headed to Florida Atlantic for an eventual 23-3 win over the Owls. Oklahoma State last played a Thursday home game on Aug. 31, 1995, when it hosted Nebraska in the head coaching debut of Bob Simmons.
Fast Facts
A couple of items right off the top...
• Thorpe Award candidate Perrish Cox is coming off a two-interception, three-breakup game vs. Texas Tech.
• The OSU defense is just one of eight in the country yet to allow a 100-yard rusher in 2009.
• The OSU offensive line is third nationally with seven sacks allowed through 10 games and fifth in tackles for loss allowed (3.5 per game).
• The Cowboys are third nationally in time of possession (33:16 per game).
• Zac Robinson is the Big 12 Conference's second highest rated passer (142.55)
• OSU is No. 7 in the country in rushing defense, allowing 89.6 yards per game.
• The Cowboys have climbed to No. 32 nationally in total defense, allowing 333.9 yards per game.
• Linebacker Patrick Lavine is No. 8 nationally with five interceptions.
• OSU senior Perrish Cox leads the nation with 2.11 passes defended per game (passes broken up plus interceptions).
• OSU now has two active players with more than 2,000 rushing yards each in Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston. Zac Robinson could hit 2,000 yards before his career is over.
• Last year OSU allowed 5.6 yards per offensive play by the opponent. This season that number has dropped to 4.9.
• OSU has won four straight conference road games for the first time since 1979.
• Dan Bailey is perfect in his career on extra points with a school-record 126 in a row.
• Dan Bailey has now joined OSU's career top 10 with 213 points.
• Oklahoma State is 18-6 in its last 24 football games with four losses to teams ranked in the top three of the AP poll.
Arrive Early
Part of Thursday's pregame show will feature the world famous Black Daggers, a U.S. Army Special Operations Parachute Demonstrations Team. The team will deliver the game ball. The pregame will also include a special performance of the National Anthem. The colors will be presented by color guards representing the Chickasaw Nation, Cherokee Nation, Creek Nation, Choctaw Nation, Seminole Nation, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and a special appearance by "Madeliene's Mustangs" Color Guard. The coin toss will be conducted by several wounded soldiers from the Wounded Warrior Project. "Madeliene's Mustangs" is an organization that strives to create a permanent home/sanctuary for America's wild horses. Madeliene Pickens heads the organization and the advisory committee includes, among others, Mark Cuban, Jerry Jones, June Jones, Roger Staubach, Thurman Thomas, Troy Aikman, Jenny Craig, Emmitt Smith, Rudy Ruettiger, Barry Switzer and Doug Williams.
Halftime, Too
There will also be a special halftime show that will include Country Music Hall of Famer Michael Martin Murphy. Among the military on the field at halftime will be members of the Oklahoma Veterans, Wounded Warriors, United States War Dogs Association and the Vet Dogs Association. The "Salute To The Mustangs" halftime tribute to the military will conclude with three trained mustangs from Extreme Mustang Makeover bowing to the military in attendance and those across the country.
More TV Stuff
The current edition of Oklahoma State football is on track to be the most televised group of Cowboys in program history. When factoring in television for Bedlam and a bowl game, the 2009 team will make a school-record 11 TV appearances. OSU's previous high for TV games was 10 on two occasions. Of OSU's 2009 TV games through Colorado, seven would be considered national TV appearances. That number will rise to nine after the bowl game. Fox Sports Net has already announced plans to televise the Oklahoma State at Oklahoma game on Nov. 28 with an 11:30 a.m. kickoff.
Senior Night
Thursday's game marks the final appearance at Boone Pickens Stadium for 22 Cowboy seniors. That total does not include senior linebacker Orie Lemon, who is expected to return to the squad next year after losing 2009 to injury. The outgoing seniors include 15 starters and eight four-year letterwinners. The Class of 2009 features...
Terrance Anderson, DB - First year as a starter at cornerback, four-year contributor and part-time starter throughout his career
Lucien Antoine, S - In his first year as a starter and a big part of OSU's 09 defensive resurgence
Brady Bond, OL - A four-year starter in the offensive line
Donald Booker, LB - Leads the team in tackles as a starter at middle linebacker
Derek Burton, DT - Starter at tackle who made the transition from defensive end during his career
Mark Chesnut, OL - Walkon in the offensive line
DeMarcus Conner, WR - Two-year starter who ranks among the toughest Cowboys, according to coaches
Perrish Cox, DB - A 2008 kick-return All-American and a 2009 semifinalist for the Thorpe Award
Noah Franklin, OL - A fifth-year senior in his first year as a starter for the Cowboy offense
Nathan Gilsleider, WR - Long-time squad member who has seen field action this season
Maurice Gray, DB - Two-year contributor in secondary and on special teams
Beau Johnson, RB - Two-year player who has been a critical contributor in 2008 and '09
Patrick Lavine, LB - A four-year starter who ranks among OSU's all-time leading tacklers
Andrew Lewis, OL - A three-year starter who has started at guard and center in his career
Swanson Miller, DL - A two-year player who has been a starter as a senior
Andrew Mitchell, OL - A junior-college transfer who has been a part-time starter
Russell Okung, OL - Another four-year starter and a likely All-American in 2009
Jermiah Price, DE - A two-year player who has been OSU's top pass rusher the past two seasons
Zac Robinson, QB - School record holder for passing, total offense and touchdown passes
Andre Sexton, LB - Leads OSU in all-time career starts, and ranks among the school's tackles leaders
Walker Smith, S - Walk-on who has earned playing time
Keith Toston, RB - One of the MVPs of 2009 and one of OSU's all-time leading rushers
Class Ranking
This year's senior class of Cowboy football players will rank among the best in the program's history. It will be the first class to appear in four straight bowl games, although a handful of Cowboy individuals with a redshirt year sprinkled in at the right time have accomplished the feat. The win total for this year's class also ranks among the best in OSU history. The current seniors become the eighth in school history to enjoy four straight winning seasons.
Class Notes
Class of 1933 - 30 Victories
Under Hall of Fame coach Lynn "Pappy" Waldorf, the A&M Aggies lost just seven games over four years and did not lose a conference game during that era.
Class of 1945 - 26 Victories
The Class of 1945 claimed Cotton and Sugar Bowl titles and reached the top five of the final AP poll in 1945. The 26 victories came in just 34 games.
Class of 1985 - 32 Victories
Coached by Jimmy Johnson and later Pat Jones, the class of '85 ended their careers with three straight bowl games and were part of team that went 6-0 at home in 1984 (OSU's last team to be perfect at home).
Class of 1986 - 32 Victories
This class enjoyed four straight winning seasons (the last class until 2009 to accomplish the feat), and narrowly missed making four straight bowl appearances when they went 6-5 as seniors.
Class of 1987 - 34 Victories
The seniors in 1987 led OSU to just the second 10-win season in school history and featured future NFL Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas.
Class of 1988 - 34 Victories
The most prolific offensive team in school history was the 1988 squad with Mike Gundy at quarterback, All-American and first-round NFL pick Hart Lee Dykes at receiver and Heisman winner Barry Sanders at running back.
Class of 2009
This class is the first to make four straight bowl appearances. Their conference won-loss record could improve every year, depending on the stretch run.
Sweet November
Oklahoma State will be trying to win three straight games in November for the first time since 2002. OSU's best November under Mike Gundy came last year when OSU was 2-2.
The Series
Colorado leads the all-time series with OSU by a 26-18-1 count. The series dates back to 1920, although the two schools met just twice before OSU began Big Eight Conference competition in 1960. In Stillwater, CU holds a 12-11 advantage. Colorado has won six of its last seven games in Stillwater, including a 34-0 victory on its last visit (2005), which was Mike Gundy's first season as OSU head coach. Other series notes:
• OSU is 3-4 against Colorado in Big 12 play.
• The Cowboys are trying to win two straight over the Buffaloes for the first time since 1987 and 1988 (Mike Gundy's sophomore and junior seasons as OSU's quarterback).
• The two teams have not had a game decided by single digits since 2001 when Colorado picked up a 22-19 win.
• After losing 10 games to Colorado in 11 meetings (1989 through 2001), the Cowboys are looking for their third win in four games.
• OSU was a 30-17 winner last season in Boulder.
• OSU has scored at least 30 points in it last five wins over Colorado and no more than 21 in its last four losses.
Alternating Possessions
The series has seen both schools take turns establishing dominance - sometimes by decade:
• In the 1960s, OSU held a 6-4 advantage, including a three-game winning streak.
• In the 1970s, Colorado held a 6-4 advantage, including a four-game winning streak.
• In the 1980s, OSU held a 6-3-1 advantage, including just one loss in an eight-year period.
• In the 1990s, Colorado held a 9-1 advantage.
• In the 2000s, CU holds a 3-2 advantage, but OSU is trying to close it out with three wins in four games.
Last Year In Boulder
Colorado native Zac Robinson passed for 217 yards and a score and ran for 61 yards and another touchdown in OSU's 30-17 win. The OSU defense limited the Buffaloes to just 304 total yards as the Cowboys jumped to a 20-3 lead early in the third period and cruised to the win. Kendall Hunter ran for 43-yard score and rushed for 102 yards. Dez Bryant had a 29-yard touchdown reception. Oklahoma State rolled up 443 yards of total offense while the defense limited the Buffs to 3-of-15 on third-down conversion attempts.
Last Time In Stillwater
The Oklahoma State football program is virtually unrecognizable from what it was in 2005 when the Colorado Buffaloes last visited Stillwater. In that Oct. 1 meeting, Colorado cruised to a 34-0 win over an OSU team that managed just 208 yards of total offense and 11 first downs. CU won the rushing battle, 213-92. It was the first loss in the head coaching career of Mike Gundy.
The North Side
Oklahoma State will be looking to stay hot against the Big 12 North. The Cowboys have won five straight against the North and OSU is 9-2 vs. the division since the beginning of the 2006 season with at least one win against every team. OSU is trying to go undefeated against North foes for the third time since 2004 (2004, 2008) and for the second straight year.
North Expounding
The Cowboys are 21-20 against the North Division since the formation of the Big 12 Conference. However, that record is deceiving. OSU got off to a slow start against the north schools and had just a 5-13 record against the division from 1996 through 2001. However, since 2002, Oklahoma State is 16-7 against its former Big Eight mates, including the current five-game winning streak.
The Big 12 Count
Oklahoma State has a 5-1 conference record entering the Colorado game. The current team ties the Cowboy squads of 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2008 for the most wins during a Big 12 season. OSU has also guaranteed itself three straight .500 (at least) conference seasons for the first time since 2002, 2003, 2004.
So This Is 5-1...
Oklahoma State is off to a 5-1 start for the time ever in Big 12 play and for the first time overall since 1984 when Pat Jones' first Cowboy team got off to a 5-1 getaway in Big Eight play.
The Significance Of Six
On Thursday night, the Cowboys will trying to reach a program milestone. The Cowboys have never won six conference games in a season. In fairness to Cowboy teams past, the advent of the "super conference" has helped increase win totals. Eight OSU teams have gone undefeated in conference play, but did not play enough league games to reach six victories.
The Seventh Signs
OSU has won at least seven games in four straight seasons for the first time in school history. OSU is also enjoying its seventh, seven-win season in the same decade for the first time ever. OSU has won 66 games since 2000, make the current decade the second winningest 10-year period in OSU history. The Cowboys won 71 games under Jimmy Johnson and Pat Jones in the 1980s.
Reaching Gr-eightness
The win over Texas Tech improved OSU to 8-2 on the season. It is the 16th time in school history that the Cowboys have reached at least eight wins and the first time since 2002 and 2003 that it has have been accomplished in consecutive seasons. OSU has won eight games in two straight seasons just seven times in the history of the program.
Seeking That Ninth Life
Oklahoma State will be seeking its ninth win of the season on Thursday night. If the Cowboys accomplish the feat, they will be reaching rarified air. OSU has won nine games in a season just eight times. Mike Gundy will be looking to join his former coach, Pat Jones, as the only Cowboy bosses to coach multiple teams to nine wins.
You Can't Make This Stuff Up
The balanced offense philosophy is verbalized all across the country. However, absolutely no one takes it more literally than Oklahoma State. The Cowboys enter the 11th week of the season averaging 200.7 rushing yards per game and 199.9 passing yards per game. The exact split comes on the heels of the past three years in which OSU was almost 50-50. In fact, in 2007, OSU ended the season with a perfect pass/run balance.
Chalk Talks
Saturday night OSU rallied from a 10-7 halftime deficit to pick up the win over Texas Tech. It marked the sixth time since the beginning of the 2007 season that OSU was tied or down at the half, but rallied for a victory. It was second victory this season in which OSU trailed at the half, but posted a win. The Cowboys trailed at Texas A&M, 15-14, but won 36-31.
Texas Tech Recap
The Cowboys are coming off a gut-check victory over Texas Tech by a 24-17 count. The Cowboys rallied from a 10-7 halftime deficit by the dominating the second half in time of possession. OSU held the ball for 37:30 in the game, including 22:08 of the second half and 12:08 of the third quarter. On two consecutive possessions, which resulted in 10 points, the Cowboys held the ball for 14:11. Texas Tech ran just six plays in the third period and had just one first down. OSU's drive chart against the Raiders included a 19-play, 15-play, 12-play and 11-play possession. Zac Robinson ran for 99 yards and passed 90. The Cowboys also got 76 yards from Keith Toston and 68 from Kendall Hunter. Hubert Anyiam added 39 receiving yards, highlighted by a 25-yard TD grab and OSU also had a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown by Patrick Lavine. Other notables from the Cowboy win...
• OSU held Texas Tech 17 points for the first time since 2005.
• The Cowboys intercepted three passes off of Tech quarterbacks. In the three previous seasons, OSU did not register an interception against Tech, despite 166 Red Raider pass attempts.
• OSU limited Tech to 357 total yards. It was the Raiders' lowest offensive output against OSU since 2005 (338). The Red Raiders entered the game No. 5 nationally in total offense (474 yards per game).
• OSU rushed for 243 yards in the game, including 207 in the second half.
The Turnover Thing
The Oklahoma State defense is continuing to develop a taste for the turnover. The Cowboys enter the CU game No. 13 nationally having intercepted 14 passes. The Cowboys picked off 12 all of last season. OSU is No. 22 overall in turnovers forced with 22. OSU has at least one interception in nine of the 10 games this season and the Cowboys picked off three passes in wins over Missouri, Iowa State and Tech.
A Top Ten Sighting
Oklahoma State has climbed into the national top 10 in rushing defense, allowing just 89.6 yards per game. The Cowboys are seventh in the NCAA stats this week and are yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season. Only four teams have reached triple digits in rushing against the Cowboys. Opponents are gaining just 3.0 yards per rush this season, as opposed to 4.3 last year. OSU is one of just eight defenses in the country yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. Every Big 12 opponent has been held below its season rushing average by the Cowboys.
Totally Speaking
Oklahoma State enters the Colorado game No. 32 nationally in total defense, allowing 333.9 yards per game. OSU is fourth in the Big 12 in that department. In Big 12 games only, OSU is allowing just 322 yards per game. During the last four Big 12 games (Texas Tech, Iowa State, Texas and Baylor), the Cowboy defense faced 44 opponent drives. The possessions resulted in 19 punts and eight turnovers. Just nine of the drives lasted for more than 50 yards. Texas Tech had two touchdown drives last week, one of which covered just 32 yards.
1,2,3-Kick
Across the board there is tangible evidence to document OSU's improved defensive play. OSU opponents have been forced to punt 54 times this season through 10 games. Last year, the OSU defense forced a total of 52 punts in 13 games.
The First Line Of Defense
Last season, OSU's defensive ends and tackles combined for a total of 9.5 sacks in 13 games. Through 10 games of 2009, the defensive linemen have combined for 12 sacks, including three by Ugo Chinasa and Swanson Miller.
Lavine And The INT
Senior linebacker Patrick Lavine picked off his fifth pass of the season against Tech and returned it 21 yard for a touchdown. He now has eight career interceptions, two of which he returned for scores (the first time was vs. Texas A&M in 2007). Lavine is No. 8 nationally with his five picks. He leads all of America's linebackers in that category and is second in the Big 12 only to Texas defensive back Earl Thomas.
Third And Unruly
The Cowboy defense has won the critical third-down battles over the last five weeks. Missouri, Baylor, Texas, Iowa State and Texas Tech offenses combined to go 23-of-70 on third-down attempts (32.9 percent). For the season, OSU's nine opponents are 47-of-137 (34.3 percent) on attempted third-down conversions. The Cowboys rank No. 23 nationally in that category. A year ago Oklahoma State finished 69th, allowing a 40.1 conversion percentage.
48
Andre Sexton was in the Cowboy starting lineup for the 48th time in OSU career vs. Texas Tech. Sexton now holds the school record in that category. He could end his career with 50 career starts. Russell Okung has the longest streak for consecutive starts with 44 in a row entering the Colorado game.
LBs Move Up
Four-year starters Andre Sexton and Patrick Lavine continue to climb the OSU and NCAA career record charts. Sexton is fourth in the NCAA with 205 career solo tackles and No. 18 in total tackles with 301. At OSU, Sexton is No. 13 all-time in total tackles. Lavine is No. 16 all-time at OSU with 280 tackles.
Back On Familiar Turf
Following a two-game total of 574 yards vs. Iowa State and Texas Tech, Oklahoma State is back in familiar territory. The Cowboys now lead the Big 12 in rushing with an average of 200.7 yards per game. OSU has won the Big 12 rushing title each of the past three years. Prior to 2006, OSU had never led its conference in rushing.
The Protectors
The Oklahoma State offense line continues to be among the nation's best in the tangible categories of protection. OSU has allowed just seven sacks this season to rank No. 3 nationally in that category. Oklahoma State is also No. 5 in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.5 per game). It continues a trend for the Cowboys under Mike Gundy and offensive line coach Joe Wickline. OSU is looking to finish among the top five nationally in fewest sacks allowed for the second time in three years and among the nation's top 20 in that category for the fourth straight year.
Records In Progress
Senior quarterback Zac Robinson enters the Colorado game holding several OSU records but the three most prestigious are the career marks in total offense, passing yards and touchdown passes. The last of those to fall was passing yards when Robinson moved past Mike Gundy in the road win at Ames.
OSU Career Records
Total Offense - Yards
1. Zac Robinson - 10,010*
2. Mike Gundy - 7,749
Passing Yards
1. Zac Robinson - 8,155
2. Mike Gundy - 7,997
Touchdown Passes
1. Zac Robinson - 66*
2. Josh Fields - 55
*Eighth in Big 12 history
Zac's Other Marks
Other notables for OSU's senior quarterback:
• He is No. 22 all-time at OSU with 1,855 rushing yards.
• He has 22 career rushing touchdowns to rank No. 9 all-time at OSU. The only quarterback ahead of him is Tony Lindsay, who ran for 23 touchdowns from 1997 through the 2000 season.
• He is No. 21 all-time at OSU with 132 career points.
• His 88 touchdowns responsible for are No. 10 among active NCAA players.
• His career passing efficiency of 151.93 is sixth in the NCAA.
• His 7.4 yards per play in his career are sixth nationally.
Record Breaker
Zac Robinson had a record-breaking performance at Baylor. Against the Bears, the senior signal caller completed 23 of his 27 passes for a completion percentage of 85.2. The old record for completion percentage in a game with more than 20 attempts was 77.1 (27-of-35) set by Mike Gundy against Kansas in 1989.
Another One To Watch
Zac Robinson set a school record last year by completing 65.0 percent of his passes to edge out Mike Gundy's mark of 64.8 percent in 1988. Through 10 games of his senior season, Robinson is completing 63.5 percent of his passes (158-of-249).
The New Targets
While playing without consensus All-American Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State has been developing a youthful receiving corps on the fly.
• Against Baylor, OSU got touchdown receptions from sophomore tight end Will Youman (the first of his career), freshman tight end Cooper Bassett (the first of his career) and sophomore transfer Dameron Fooks (the third of his career).
• Fifteen Cowboys have caught passes in 2009, including six players who had never caught a pass at OSU.
• True freshman Tracy Moore is averaging a whopping 17.7 yards per catch with three TDs on his 10 catches.
• Sophomore transfer Dameron Fooks has three touchdowns on his 10 career catches.
• Twelve different Cowboys have a reception of at least 19 yards.
• Eight Cowboys have touchdown catches this season. Five caught scoring passes all of last season.
The Kiddie Corps
Of Oklahoma State's 162 pass receptions this season, 96 have been made by freshmen or sophomores. Those same two classes have accounted for 13 of OSU's 17 touchdown receptions with the other four scores belonging to Dez Bryant.
The New Contender
Toss a new name into the hat when it comes to balloting for the all-Big 12 team. Keith Toston's 206-yard rushing effort at Iowa State made him a prime contender for postseason honors while also putting him on the brink of becoming the latest entry into OSU's 1,000-yard club.
• Toston has run for 958 yards thus far and averages 96 yards per game.
• His 206 yards in Ames represent the best game by a Big 12 back this season and ranks as the 22nd best game in the country.
• Toston averages 5.4 yards per rush in 2009.
• His 10 rushing touchdowns and yards per carry are both third best in the league.
It's Worth Noting
Keith Toston's numbers are more impressive when considering he had just 21 carries for 121 yards with a touchdown after the first two games of 2009 while serving as Kendall Hunter's backup. Over the last eight games he has 156 carries for 829 yards and nine touchdowns for an average of 103.6 yards per game.
The Conference Charts
In Big 12 games only, Keith Toston has a healthy rushing lead. He is averaging 113 yards per game for a nine-yards-per lead over any other Big 12 back.
History In The Making
Despite OSU's deep tradition at running back, only twice in its history has the school produced a 1,000-yard rusher in three straight seasons. Never before have three different running backs reached 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Keith Toston is just 42 yards away from making that happen. In 2007, OSU got 1,272 yards from all-Big 12 running back Dantrell Savage. In 2008, the Cowboys got 1,555 yards from all-Big 12 and All-America running back Kendall Hunter. The last time OSU had three straight 1,000-yard runners was in 2002-03-04. Tatum Bell reached the mark the first two years, followed by Vernand Morency in 2004.
Tracking Toston
Toston entered the season with 1,507 career rushing yards on 246 career carries. He also entered the season with 246 career receiving yards. He has 209 receiving yards through the 10 games of 2009. He has rushed for more than 100 yards three times in five games. For his career:
• Toston has now rushed for 2,465 yards to rank No. 10 all-time at OSU. He is six yards behind Kendall Hunter.
• Toston has now scored 176 points to rank 16th in school history.
Two For 2,000
Keith Toston (2,465 career rushing yards) joins Kendall Hunter (2,471 career rushing yards) as current Cowboy running backs to have eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark. Toston and Hunter are the first-ever duo in Oklahoma State history to have played together with over 2,000 rushing yards apiece in tow. For good measure, quarterback Zac Robinson has rushed for 1,855 yards.
Hunter Season
For Cowboy fans, it has been a happy November with the return of All-America running back Kendall Hunter to action. At Iowa State the junior saw his first extensive action since the Houston game. The 2008 first-team All-American (FWAA) ran for 47 yards on nine carries. He also had a 12-yard reception and definitely provided a spark for the OSU offense. He followed that up with 68 yards rushing and 28 receiving against Texas Tech. Hunter's 2,471 career rushing yards are good for No. 10 in OSU history.
Don't Forget Okung
Twice in his career, Russell Okung has tossed a shutout against the NCAA's sack leader. Texas A&M's Von Miller entered the OSU game as America's top pass rusher with nine sacks. Against Okung, he did not record a sack and had five tackles. In the 2007 Insight Bowl, Okung held Indiana's Greg Middleton, another NCAA sack leader, without a tackle. Okung was the only offensive player among the 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award.
Continuing The Climb
Under Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State has been on a steady climb up the Big 12 South ladder. Gundy's first team finished with a 1-7 Big 12 record in 2005. Since that time, the Cowboys have improved to 3-5 in 2006, 4-4 in 2007 and 5-3 in 2008. Last year's five-win total was OSU's best conference showing since the 2003 team also went 5-3.
The Rankings
Oklahoma State enters the Colorado game ranked No. 12 in the AP poll. OSU has now appeared in the AP poll for 24 straight weeks. It is the Cowboys' longest stint in the balloting since the 1987 and 1988 seasons when OSU was ranked for 26 straight weeks. It is OSU's third longest stay in the polls in school history.
Consecutive Weeks
29 - Sept. 11, 1984 through Dec. 10, 1985
26 - Oct. 6, 1987 through Jan. 3, 1989
24 - Sept. 28, 2008 - current
Polling Numbers
Facts and figures regarding the Cowboys and the Associated Press poll:
• The Cowboys were ranked in the AP's preseason poll for the first time since 2003 when Les Miles' eventual Cotton Bowl team was No. 24.
• OSU's debut position of No. 9 was an all-time best for the school in the preseason polls, besting the 1985 team, which was ranked No. 16.
• When OSU reached No. 5 in the polls (Sept. 8) it was the school's highest ranking since 1985.
• Under Mike Gundy, the Cowboys are 12-6 when playing as a member of the AP top 25. Five of the six losses have come against ranked opponents and four of the five losses came to teams ranked higher than OSU. Last year, OSU's three regular-season losses were against teams ranked No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in the AP poll at the time of the OSU game.
The More Orange The Better
It seems each week provides a new milestone at the ticket office for Oklahoma State. Through the first 10 games of the season Oklahoma State has...
• Set a new school record with 45,652 season tickets purchased.
• Set a new school record with more than, 11,400 student season tickets purchased.
• Set a new single-game attendance record vs. Georgia with 53,012 fans in attendance.
• Set another new single-game attendance record with 56,901 fans on hand for the Grambling State game.
• OSU added to the single-game record again against Texas with 58,516 on hand.
Sweet 18
In a strange year of scrapes, bruises and assorted speed bumps, Oklahoma State has used 17 different players in its starting lineup on offense. The latest to join the group was freshman fullback David Paulsen at Iowa State. On the flip side, only 13 players have been utilized as starters on defense.
The New Mark
The Big 12 Conference has a new record holder for career kickoff return yardage. With his efforts against Texas Tech, Perrish Cox upped his record total to 2,698 yards. Cox currently....
• Is tied for second among active NCAA players with his yardage total
• Is third in the NCAA with four career kickoff returns for touchdowns
• Has 10 career kickoff returns of more than 50 yards, including a 74-yarder vs. Georgia this season
• Is No. 10 in the NCAA with 602 career punt return yards
• Is a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive back
Sharp Start
One of the 2009 question marks entering the season was redshirt freshman punter Quinn Sharp stepping in to replace OSU's 2008 Ray Guy Award winner Matt Fodge. Nine games into his career, Sharp has answered lots of questions.
• He enters the Colorado game ninth nationally with a punting average of 44.4 yards.
• He has 14 punts in excess of 50 yards, including a pair of 61-yarders (vs. Georgia and Rice).
• Of his 42 punts, 17 have been downed inside the opponent's 20 (with only three touchbacks).
• Oklahoma State is No. 25 nationally in net punting with a 37.4-yard average.
• He has been named a mid-season All-American by Rivals.com
• While handling Cowboy kickoff duties, Sharp has recorded 33 touchbacks on 64 tries. OSU had 13 touchbacks all of last season on 96 kickoffs.
• Sharp leads the country in touchbacks on kickoffs.
Upping The Total
The Cowboy roster now features a trio of offensive linemen with a combined 119 career starts. Russell Okung (44), Brady Bond (39) and Andrew Lewis (36) are the graybeards. On the flip side, guard Noah Franklin has made nine career starts and guard Lane Taylor has made seven and tackle Andrew Mitchell has made three.
Senior Signal Caller
There are bushels of records that Zac Robinson has in his sites and this is due in part to a simple fact. He enters his senior season as a starter. Robinson is the first OSU quarterback to enter his senior season as a starter since Tony Lindsay in 2000. Robinson is 19-9 as OSU's starting quarterback.
