Behind Enemy Lines: Iowa State
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
This is another edition of Behind Enemy Lines with Iowa State beat writer Robert La Gesse of the Ames Tribune.
Brandon Chatmon: How will having Arnaud back help the ISU offense, what does he bring to the table that Tiller doesn’t?
Robert La Gesse: He brings experience, which can never be understated. The Cyclones have been a tick off in the passing game the last two weeks with Tiller at quarterback. The last time ISU had Arnaud for a whole game the offense put up 36 on Kansas.
BC: What makes the ISU rushing offense so good?
RLG: The offensive line and the vision of running back Alexander Robinson. The line has been together for a while and started to come around last year. This season it’s opened huge holes on a weekly basis.
Robinson sees holes develop before they do and is very good at setting up his blocks. If he can get a block he has enough speed to turn any play into a big gain.
BC: What is ISU’s biggest strength?
RLG: It’s the rushing game. Anytime Robinson touches the ball he could find the end zone. The rushing attack also allows ISU to run off large chunks of time when it has a lead in the second half.
BC: What is ISU’s biggest weakness?
RLG: It’s lack of athleticism, especially on defense. Spread offenses expose the Cyclones’ lack of speed by forcing ISU to make plays in space.
BC: Who are some freshmen to keep an eye on?
RLG: The coaches love freshmen linebackers A.J. Klein and Jake Knott because of their football instincts. Both will see action on special teams and may see time at linebacker.
BC: What was more surprising the win over Nebraska or the blowout loss to A&M?
RLG: The win over Nebraska. ISU hadn’t won in Lincoln, Neb. since 1977 and was playing without its starting quarterback and running back. Very few teams will win a road game, let alone one in such a hostile environment, without its quarterback and running back.
BC: The Cyclones are good at forcing turnovers, what has been the key for them in that aspect?
RLG: Every chance they get the Cyclones look to force a turnover. On Saturday you’ll see the first defender secure the tackle and then the next few guys will try to strip the ball. ISU has gotten pretty good at that.
BC: Lastly, prediction? Why?
RLG: I would say Oklahoma State wins. I’ll say 38-24. ISU struggles against spread offenses and the Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the country.
Hoops Update: Injuries
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
OSU will be without Teeng Akol and Nick Sidorakis for a while.
Injuries suffered in recent practices will sideline Akol and Sidorkis for a month or more. And while neither played a major role a year ago, each had been drawing raves from Cowboys coach Travis Ford for their play in the preseason.
Both players were considered key reserves by Ford, who may now be forced to get freshmen ready to take on larger roles.
Akol, a 6-11 center, has a fracture in his right hand is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Sidorkis, a 6-4 guard, won’t need surgery to repair a patela tendon injury to his right knee, but will be out 6-8 weeks.
Dez’s Draft Stock Remains High
No freedom for Dez
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
So Dez is done.
Pretty sad, really, as the Cowboys have been robbed of one of the most dynamic players in program history. Seriously, Bryant was a rare talent, ranking in an elite club of former Cowboys who could dazzle us on the football field.
I think that we’ll be dazzled at the next level, too.
And now it’s on to the NFL for Bryant, according to his high school coach, John Outlaw, who reported to The Oklahoman that Dez was headed to Tampa to get himself ready for the combine.
As bad as this is for Dez — he really loved playing at OSU — the good news is his draft stock won’t take a hit because of his mis-step with the truth to the NCAA.
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper ranks Bryant No. 10 on his big board; the No. 1 wide receiver overall. Kiper recently addressed Bryant’s situation, saying his college problem “won’t hurt his stock one bit.”
While Bryant lied and got caught in the act, that’s far from the kinds of things that create character concerns for prospects who dive down draft boards.
No drugs. No violance. No criminal record.
Bryant’s sin isn’t so much damning, as it is just plain stupid.
Kiper points out that it’s now up to Bryant to do the right things from here on (something former Cowboys wideout Adarius Bowman failed to do two years ago), to ensure that his transition to the pro game goes smoothly.
For Bryant’s sake, let’s hope he surrounds himself with people genuinely concerned about his future. As a kid who can be very immature at times, Dez needs guidance.
Here’s hoping he gets it, for his own future.
Cowboy Hoops Adds Walk-Ons
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
The number of available practice bodies had already increased at OSU, with seven newcomers beefing up the roster — a needed boost from a year ago.
Add two more players to the mix, with Travis Ford taking advantage of his walk-on tryout program for the second straight year.
In a near act of desperation a year ago, with his roster depleted, Ford pulled four walk-ons from a workout to help with practice and suit up on game days. One of the four, Edmond Memorial product Garrett Thomas, remains with the squad.
While not as needy this year, Ford still felt adding players could be a benefit to preparation. And with recent injuries to Teeng Akol and Nick Sidorakis, he’s surely pleased to have them.
So, on to the introductions:
From Broken Arrow High and Oklahoma City University, a 6-6 forward… Steven Cantrell!
And from Perkins, a 6-foot guard… Lee Ledford!
Cantrell actually played a bit part in OCU’s national title run in 2008, averaging 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds for a team that finished 31-7. He appeared in 20 games and started five, before leaving for regular-student status at OSU a year ago. Now he’s back.
Ledford, in his third year at OSU, averaged 15 points and seven rebounds as a prep senior.
Don’t expect to see much of Cantrell or Ledford, unless games get way out of hand. Still, they’re valuable additions to the daily grind of practices. Ford wouldn’t have them around if they didn’t offer something.
And there’s always the possible payoff, a moment in Gallagher-Iba Arena when the student section chants their names.
Or even better, a trip to the NCAA Tournament and memories of March Madness.
OSU Scouting report: Iowa State
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
In this story on gocyclones.com, Bobby La Gesse writes about ISU’s offense finally getting healthy.
In this video, Cyclones Mike O’Connell and Darius Darks talk about facing the Cowboys:
And here are highlights of the Cyclones’ loss to Texas A&M last Saturday:
Cox Gaining Notice
By John Helsley
We’ve witnessed the growth of Perrish Cox.
The outside world is catching on, too.
Cox has elevated himself from great return man to great defender as a senior, putting in the work necessary to be considered one of the best in the college game.
And that’s exactly the view, with Cox making the semifinalist cut for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back and an award generated right here in Oklahoma City.
A first-team midseason All-American by SI.com, Cox leads the nation with 1.86 passes defended per game. And he’s defended some of the best, winning matchups with Georgia’s A.J. Green and Texas’ Jordan Shipley.
It’s what we expected of Cox when the Cowboys landed a much-hyped recruit out of Waco four years ago. There were thrills, for sure, but mostly in the return game, where he’s simply electric every time he touches the ball.
As a defender, however, Cox was always viewed as a great athlete playing corner.
Not anymore.
Credit the kid for a realizing he had to grow up. On the field and off the field. In the video room and in the weight room. Away from the parties and the other distractions of college life.
He’s a lesson that it’s never too late to reach for your potential. And it’s paying off. And will continue to pay off.
According to a report in the Tuesday edition of Sporting News Today, Cox is “winning over doubters who had questions about his character. He is making big plays in ’09 and making good impressions off the field. He could rocket up draft boards if the background checks continue to come in clean and he makes a good impression in formal interviews with G.M.s, coaches and personnel men this spring. He came into the season as a late-round gamble and ultimately could go in the third round.”
Cox denies A.J. Green
OSU Scouting report: Iowa State
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
In this story by Randy Peterson in the Des Moines Register, Iowa State is excited about the payday that comes with playing on ABC.
And here’s a link to a chat with Peterson, which will give you a bit more insight into the Cyclones heading into Saturday’s game.
Last but not least, some highlights of Iowa State’s 9-7 win over Nebraska:
Chat with OSU football beat writer Brandon Chatmon
Texas 41, OSU 14: Thoughts and Observations
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
–What is there to say? Texas is talented, confident and full of playmakers.
–The OSU turnover bug returned against the Longhorns. You can’t turn the ball over five times and expect to win.
–It seemed like Texas speed on defense, especially in the secondary surprised Zac Robinson a little bit. The throwing windows closed quicker than he expected and the Longhorn secondary made play after play against OSU.
–Cowboys probably should have stick with the run a little more, especially early. They were having some success.
–Colt McCoy showed why he is considered among the nation’s best on the Longhorns final drive of the first half. He led his team on a 10-play, 80-yard drive in 2:09 seconds to boost Texas’ lead to 24-7. UT had three plays of 16 or more yards including a key 19-yard run on third down. They capped off the drive with a superb catch by Malcolm Williams for a 11-yard score.
–While I think OSU’s mental toughness is one of its strengths, they allowed the non-fumble call on Andre Sexton’s great play to affect them on that drive. The Longhorns converted two third downs and OSU had an unsportsmanlike penalty on that drive which ended in Williams’ TD.
–OSU’s defense didn’t play that badly. They allowed 275 yards including 99 rushing yards, held Shipley to 6 catches for 64 yards and held McCoy to 171 passing yards. True enough, Texas had two INT returns for scores which helped contribute to those numbers but it was still a decent effort.
–Neither team had much success running. Both squads averaged 3.1 yards per carry.
–Shocking stat: OSU averaged 3.9 yards per play. That’s not the explosive offense Cowboys fans have come to expect.
–Shocking stat Part II: Defensive backs led both teams in all-purpose yardage. Texas’ Curtis Brown had 77 on his INT for TD to lead Texas and OSU’s Perrish Cox had 118 kick and punt return yards.
–Texas had four interceptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
–UT was held sackless by OSU and the Pokes had two sacks (Jermiah Price, Lucien Antoine) and six tackles for loss.
–In the first half, the Cowboys had three possessions which lasted three minutes combined. Those possessions ended in a punt, turnover on downs and fumble.
–Missed opportunities was the name of the game in the first half. Hubert Anyiam’s drop, Dameron Fooks’ drop, two defensive penalties that proved to be key.
–It seemed like once OSU lost the momentum, things just got out of hand.
