OSU 24, KSU 14: Thoughts and observations
The Cowboy defense was superb in the win.
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
— Quality win for Oklahoma State: On the road, without one of your main weapons and with two (essentially three) first half turnovers.
— The Pokes continue to prove they are way better than expected.
— As much grief as you gave the defense last week, you should be giving them equal praise this week. They won the game for OSU.
Johnny Thomas' "pick six" was a key play in the game
— I envisioned a lot of scenarios for this game. A 0-0 tie after one quarter and 7-7 tie at halftime was not one of them.
— Kendall Hunter may be too good for his own good. A 143-yard performance and I didn’t really think about what a great game he had. Sure there are flashes in my mind, like the third down run where he was hit and spin around on one leg, somehow staying on his feet long enough to get the first down. So consistent, so good.
— One of the better games of the year for quarterback Brandon Weeden. True enough, he could have been intercepted on more than one occasion. But he wasn’t. He managed the game well and got the ball in the hands of the right person. The junior finished 22 of 39 for 298 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
– Outstanding game by Johnny Thomas. He’s really stepped up since OSU lost Victor Johnson for the year with a knee injury. Six tackles, two pass breakups, one interception return for a touchdown and a forced fumble.
— Another game of over 500 offensive yards for the Cowboys but I bet most people will see 24 points and think they underachieved. Which they did since the point is to score and they scored less than half their average but they moved the ball at will and really kept themselves from putting up points on the scoreboard more than the Wildcats did.
"The Chosen 1"
— Have I ever mentioned before how much I like Joseph Randle and how much I think he should be involved. 9.7 yards per carry (7 carries, 64 yards) and four catches for 59 yards.
— Some people didn’t understand my halftime tweet so let me clear up something: I consider OSU a program on the rise, one that is on the cusp of competing for a Big 12 championship if not there already. As such, I think in terms of them playing (or striving to play) to that standard. Had OSU been playing a championship level team, they could easily have been down double digits, hence the point of my tweet. I got a lot of responses about how K-State was lucky to be close, which was true, but it’s not about them, it’s about Oklahoma State football. What OSU is doing? How OSU is playing? I don’t care what K-State (or any opponent for that matter) is doing. It’s not about them, it’s about OSU and are they doing the things that will make them a championship level team or not.
— Shaun Lewis is going to be a star. There were several times today where I thought, “nice tackle” normally when I think that it’s Markelle Martin or Orie Lemon. On more than one occasion today, it was Lewis. He really rose to the occasion in his first collegiate start.
— I was impressed with how some of OSU’s other true freshmen played. When Andrew McGee went out, Devin Hedgepeth stepped in and was solid. When Lemon got nicked up, Caleb Lavey stepped in for several reps (3 tackles). The Pokes’ young players continue to play beyond their years.
— Bo Bowling definitely plays with a chip on his shoulder. He gives an all-out effort every play, you can tell it really matters to him. Dana Holgorsen said he has emerged as a legit starter for the Pokes so clearly he’s doing something right.
— Michael Harrison has a chance to be really good. He has the athleticism and size to become a key part of the offense on the opposite of Blackmon moving forward.
Weeden back to pass... no Wildcats in sight
— OSU’s offensive line was superb, there were a couple times where Brandon Weeden was looking around like, “Really? You mean I have five more seconds if I want them?”
— OSU’s pass rush was solid, Chase Coffman didn’t have a lot of time to sit back there and find receivers. They still need to improve past just getting pressure because they miss out on quite a few sacks it seems.
— I liked Daniel Thomas, he’s big and has good moves, he’ll be a solid NFL back in the future.
— You have to respect Shane Jarka. He’s so beat up and he just keeps going out there, week after week, playing and giving consistent effort. If you want to learn more about will and determination, watch Jarka.
– This was the type of game where you are happy with a win because a win is a win and they are hard to come by, especially in league play. But you go home with the understanding you have to get better and improve because some of the things you did in the win will get you beat against championship caliber teams. Example: 10 penalties for 100 yards, that could be the difference against a championship caliber opponent.
— Bottom Line: OSU is 7-1 and near the top of the Big 12 South through eight games. Did you expect that? I didn’t.
Postgame thoughts: Oklahoma State, 24 – Kansas State, 14
After a slow start and only seven points in the first half, Oklahoma State defeated Kansas State 24-14 in Manhattan, Kan. The Cowboys were missing three of their top four receivers – Justin Blackmon, Tracy Moore and Hubert Anyiam – but Brandon Weeden passed for 298 yards. Bo Bowling led OSU with eight catches for 92 yards. Here’s the box score.
OSU offensive coordinate Dana Holgorsen clearly placed an emphasis on running the ball today. Kendall Hunter rushed for 143 yards on 28 carries, while freshman Joseph Randle had 64 yards on seven carries.
Here are Berry Tramel’s game thoughts.
What did you think OSU’s win over the Wildcats? How did you think the defense performed? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Join our OSU-Kansas State live game chat
Predictions: OSU at Kansas State
Coming off their first loss of the season, the Cowboys head to Manhattan, Kan., Saturday to take on Kansas State. The story of the week was Justin Blackmon’s arrest and subsequent suspension, so who will step up for Oklahoma State this week? Brandon Chatmon wrote a story earlier this week about the Wildcats’ 100th-ranked defense and how they’re giving up many “explosive plays.” Will OSU rely on Kendall Hunter without Justin Blackmon? Or will Josh Cooper, Tracy Moore, Michel Harrison step up to replace their star teammate?
Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Here are our staff’s predictions for OSU at Kansas State:
Brandon Chatmon: OSU, 35-17
John Helsley: OSU, 31-27
Berry Tramel: OSU, 41-35
Jenni Carlson: OSU, 41-31
Jake Trotter: OSU, 34-32
Mike Baldwin: OSU, 38-28
Mike Sherman: OSU, 31-27
Let’s hear your predictions in the comments below. Join our live chat at http://newsok.com/sports/ around game time and chat with Brandon Chatmon, John Helsley and more.
And, if you haven’t joined our Picks contest at http://newsok.com/picks/, you should join now to pick 20 college football games each week against our sports writers.
I’ve asked for your thoughts on Justin Blackmon, now mine:
Justin Blackmon will learn from this situation
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
I’ve asked Oklahoma State fans for their thoughts on Justin Blackmon so it’s only fair that I share mine, right? I was holding off until Mike Gundy made a decision and the beginnings of some type of closure were in motion but here are my some of my thoughts.
–First off, it’s quite interesting how quickly people judge and how self righteous we have become. Without even knowing details of the situation people were jumping to conclusions. First it happened with Dez, (all of a sudden nobody in America had ever lied) now it’s happened with Blackmon. You learn a lot about people in times like these.
–Secondly, having been around Justin Blackmon, I agree with everything Gundy has said about him. He’s one of the top five PEOPLE I’ve covered, a great human being. He just made a mistake and should pay for it.
–One game is plenty, the national attention and seeing how his actions have altered the world around him will do the rest. Not to mention that Stairmaster…
–Hopefully it’s clear at this point the severity of the DUI citation he received in Texas. It’s on the same level as theft under $50, park curfews and parking violations as opposed to a DWI which is a Class B misdemeanor usually resulting from being over .08. Under Texas law, as a minor he can receive a DUI if the officer smells alcohol in the vehicle or on him without even being tested to see if he has any traceable amount in his system. There’s a reason he was cited for DUI not DWI and there’s a reason why he was released within six hours of being detained.
–He handled it like a man. I can think of plenty of adults (which had he been an adult over 21 not a minor, things may have turned out differently) who wouldn’t have handled it like Blackmon did. Less than 48 hours after he was released, he’s holding a press conference and talking to the media to express his embarrassment and remorse with statements like “I take full responsibility”, “I did it, I should be punished for it”, “own up to my mistake” and “I look forward to proving this is not who I am” while publicly apologizing for his actions.
–One thing that really bothers me is the hit his national reputation will take simply because people see the letters DUI. It’s unfortunate but he has nobody to blame but himself. His speeding put himself in a position where his destiny was no longer in his own control, and he knows that. It’s still unfortunate though.
–I’m not saying what he did was right, he made multiple bad decisions. My first thought when hearing how fast he was going on I-35 at night was: “What if they hit a deer or something?” Bad, bad decision.
–I feel like I know Justin well enough that I don’t think, I know he will grow from this and make better decisions. If people judged me based off decisions I made at 19, 20, 21, I’d have fewer friends and a worse reputation. That’s reason No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 why I always will try to reserve judgement when college athletes get in trouble. I became a better person, and I have no doubt Justin Blackmon will too.
Sound off: Readers react to Justin Blackmon’s arrest
In Wednesday’s Oklahoman, we asked readers to “Sound Off!” about Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon’s arrest. Here are some of the voice mails we received. If you’d like to call and leave a message, the phone number is (405) 586-0704.
Blackmon Best Recognize Responsibility
In the spotlight, Justin Blackmon must act responsibly.
By John Helsley
folllow on twitter @jjhelsley
First, a confession: at the age of 20, I did some stupid things; really stupid things. And things I’d now never want anyone to know.
So I know and understand the temptations of the young brain. In fact, I heard somewhere last week that there’s now some medical study that suggests areas of the male brain don’t fully develop until a young man is in his 20s, contributing to the feelings of invincibility many guys feel.
So I will throw no stones at Justin Blackmon.
But I will throw some cautions, because the situations — mine and Blackmon’s — are not the same.
Nobody cared what I was doing at age 20. My mugshot wasn’t making any newspapers (the internet wasn’t yet up and running).
My responsibility was to myself and to my mother, who actually did a wonderful job raising me, although I didn’t always prove it; and a few others.
Blackmon’s responsibility extends much farther. To himself and his family, for sure, but also to his teammates who count on him on Saturdays and to a school that holds him as a face of its football program and provides him an opportunity for education and fame and comforts that few other OSU students enjoy. And to the fans who adore him and cheer his every move, on the field and up the NCAA rankings and onto awards watch lists.
And he has a responsibility, too, to young cancer-stricken Olivia Hamilton, who has found a friend in the very generous and giving Blackmon, yet doesn’t need her heart broken.
People care about Justin Blackmon. And they’re counting on him, too. And he’s accepted that by slipping on his No. 81 Cowboys jersey and stepping into the spotlight.
That carries responsibility.
And it’s a responsibility Blackmon must recognize and appreciate.
And fulfill.
Should Justin Blackmon be allowed to play vs. Kansas State?
Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon was arrested in Carrolton, Texas, on complaint of DUI in the early morning hours Tuesday, while returning from the Dallas Cowboys game in Arlington.
Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon was arrested early Tuesday morning on a DUI complaint. PHOTO COURTESY CARROLLTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Blackmon, 20, was arrested at 3:45 a.m. after being pulled over for traveling at 92 mph in a 60 mph zone of I-35 North. Former OSU player Taylor Sokolosky posted a $375 bond for Blackmon, who was released at 8:06 a.m.
Should Blackmon be allowed to play this weekend at Kansas State? Columnist Jenni Carlson says Blackmon deserves to be suspended.
We may never know how much alcohol Blackmon had in his system, but even if it was a very minor amount, he should be suspended by Cowboy coaches because drinking before he got behind the wheel is only one of the dumb things he did. Driving 32 mph over the speed limit is dumb. Being out at 3:45 a.m. is dumb. Being hundreds of miles from campus on a school night is dumb.
Power Lunch Chat Recap: Brandon Chatmon
Nebraska 51, OSU 41: Thoughts and Observations
Disappointing loss for Weeden and the Pokes
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
–Never thought this would happen. The Cornhuskers won a shootout with Oklahoma State. And Taylor Martinez finished with better passing numbers than Brandon Weeden.
–Have to admire the way Taylor Martinez bounced back from last week’s benching. He was the difference in the game. He repeatedly eluded OSU’s defensive ends and linebackers in key situations. A lot of his passing yards were a result of his great acceleration, quickness and speed. Sometimes a guy makes plays and beats you. That’s what happened to OSU on Saturday.
Taylor Martinez is a special talent
–Step back and think about it. If OSU had it all to do over again, what should they change? How would they defend Martinez differently? They wouldn’t change and they shouldn’t change. Running is his forte, not passing. So you load up to stop his run and he passes for over 300 yards. What options do you have then? Unless you have Ray Lewis on your defense and you can spy him with someone who matches his athleticism and speed… even then, he still would have to make one-on-one tackles with Martinez. Easier said then done, he made Orie Lemon miss a couple times and Orie is a very sure tackler. Martinez is just a special talent. And special talent win football games.
–On that note, I was surprised Brandon Weeden didn’t look Justin Blackmon‘s way more in the second half, especially when the Pokes really needed a play. True enough, the Huskers had bracket coverage on him throughout, but give him a chance, he catches 80 percent of the balls you throw his way.
–Don’t underestimate the Huskers fake punt to start the game. OSU’s defense started with a three-and-out and a lot of emotion and confidence. Then that happened.
–41 points against Nebraska’s defense is a good outing by the Cowboys’ offense. That should have been enough to win the game.
Doesn't matter who he's going against: No. 81 will make plays
–I’m not sure what else can be done with kickoff coverage. Putting defensive starters on that unit is just not a option. But something has to change.
–We wondered if the Cowboys would have the speed to keep up, turns out they did. They just didn’t tackle well at all. Not only was Martinez making plays and breaking tackles (which was understandable), so was Roy Helu Jr. (which was not).
–Kendall Hunter had 26 carries for 201 yards and two touchdowns. And I’m just now getting to mentioning that. It just goes to show you what a unusual game it was.
Great game by Kendall Hunter, again
–Cowboys averaged 7.0 yards per play and scored 41 points. They struggled on third down and had just 75 yards in the fourth quarter but, again, they scored 41 points against a very good defense.
–OSU shot itself in the foot repeatedly. 8 penalties for 84 yards, that’s over 10 yards per penalty. That kills offensive drives and continues opponent’s drives.
–Only one forced turnover. Bill Young won’t be happy about that. OSU came into the game averaging 3 forced turnovers per game.
–I’m thinking Joseph Randle should have been returning kicks all season. What about you? Matter of fact, anything that gets him the ball more often, sounds like a good idea to me.
–I feel like I say it every game, but OSU’s offensive line is very solid. Along with Hunter’s 200-yard game, they allowed one sack and it was a coverage sack.
–Josh Cooper quietly had a solid game. 9 catches for 103 yards. He was able to consistently win his one-on-one battles. He’s OSU’s No. 2 receiver until someone else proves otherwise.
–Quinn Sharp AVERAGED 60.4 yards per punt. Five punts including a 78-yarder.
–Dan Bailey is still perfect, hitting 2 of 2 field goals.
–OSU finished with four players with over 100 all-purpose yards (Hunter, Randle, Blackmon and Cooper).
–Shaun Lewis is a playmaker, they need to find room for him on the field. 5 tackles including two for loss and one forced fumble.
Bottom line: Nebraska was better, and more physical, than OSU on Saturday.
–Nebraska’s scoring drive before the half was a critical and overlooked moment in this game. OSU gets a stop there, they go into the half with the lead and momentum. A personal foul penalty and 33-yard pass from Martinez to Mike McNeill allowed the Huskers to drive 66 yards in five plays to take a 31-27 halftime lead.
–OSU’s slow start in the third quarter was unusual and really changed the game. Nebraska got a field goal on their first second-half possession and the Pokes started with a three-and-out. Not the third quarter starts that Pokes’ fans have gotten used to. The Cowboys were playing catchup from that point on.
–Nebraska was 6-10 in the second half on third down. They made plays when they needed to. And OSU’s inability to get key stops, doomed them.
–Overall, a disappointing day for OSU. But the reality is the Pokes still have their goals within their own control. They can still win the Big 12 South, can still win a Big 12 championship. Their destiny will be decided in the future, it was not decided on Saturday. So will they learn and grow from this loss? Or let the disappointment linger?
