Tempo, Tempo, Tempo
The Cowboys had plenty to celebrate on Saturday.
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen brings up tempo often when talking about the Cowboys offense.
Saturday’s 65-17 win is a great example of what Holgorsen is talking about. In the season-opening blowout win, six of OSU’s touchdown drives took 1:48 or less:
– OSU had a 6-play, 75-yard drive which resulted in a 24-yard Brandon Weeden to Justin Blackmon touchdown pass.
It took 1:48.
–OSU had a 5-play, 48-yard drive which resulted in a 9-yard Kendall Hunter touchdown run.
It took 1:48.
–OSU had a 9-play, 80-yard drive which resulted in a 2-yard Kendall Hunter touchdown run.
It took 1:19.
–OSU had a 4-play, 67-yard drive which resulted in a 1-yard Brandon Weeden to Justin Blackmon touchdown pass.
It took 1:19.
–OSU had a 4-play, 71-yard drive which resulted in a 42-yard Brandon Weeden to Justin Blackmon touchdown pass.
It took 1:02.
–OSU had a 2-play, 15-yard drive which resulted in a 3-yard Kendall Hunter touchdown run.
It took 26 seconds.
Tempo plus big play ability equals quick-striking, high scoring offense. After game one, Holgorsen has delivered both.
-------------Email John Helsley here and follow him on Twitter @JohnHelsley. Visit John's website here.
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Comments
I think that Bill Young is grooming the defense to be prepared for the fact that the offense is quick. OSU played 33 players on defense against WSU. I know that some of that is because of the score but I think Bill Young is going to rotate his guys and keep them fresh. This also has the effect of making sure that next year we will have experience on the field.
I do wish we could slow it down or speed it up whenever we want to but I think Dana only has one speed. I feel like Dana could grow by learning when you should line up and impose your will with the run. When you are whipping a team with your big guys you don’t have to do it quickly. You take your time and look them in the eye and smile, then you crush them.
High tempo is a double-edged sword.
Clock control has proven to be a valuable resource in football. Keeping your offense on the field keeps their offense off.
More importantly, how will a young defense (and thin at crucial positions) hold up when they are allowed less than 2 minutes of rest on the sideline?
So far, the high tempo has worked but I hope if the team starts suffering from it that certain adjustments will be made.