OSU 36, Arizona 10: Thoughts and observations
A 11-2 season and Alamo Bowl win means a celebration
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
— Did you expect anything less from this Oklahoma State team? They did what they were supposed to do, which is win comfortably against a team they are better than.
— It was clear OSU wanted it more and the 11-win season was important to the Pokes.
— The defense won the Alamo Bowl. Three turnovers and they allowed only 390 yards on 88 plays. That’s 4.2 yards per play. Bill Young’s group was superb. So much for the high-scoring shootout.
Do you think Orie Lemon can dunk? I do.
— Tonight’s pass rush may have been the best pass rush I saw all season from OSU. Five sacks and plenty of hurries on Nick Foles.
— Anytime you have a plus-4 turnover margin, you are probably going to win.
— Lou Groza Award winner Dan Bailey deserves strong recognition. Everyone wondered what would happen with Quinn Sharp out and Bailey was 3 of 3 field goals including a 50-yarder and had five punts averaging 39 yards per punt. He was outstanding as well. Both of OSU’s national award winners showed why they earned national honors.
— OSU set a physical tone and that’s a big reason they won the game.
— Justin Blackmon earned the MVP honors with his performance. Simply outstanding. He’s the best receiver in college football.
Um, hello, Arizona? No. 81 won the Biletnikoff you realize?
— One overlooked stat from the Cowboy offense: ZERO turnovers.
— I was surprised to see Kendall Hunter finish with just 10 carries but OSU only ran 61 total plays.
— Arizona had 25 first downs, 370 total yards and was 9 of 21 on third down. But scored just 10 points. Another example of the Pokes’ defense making plays when they need to.
— Unusual game for the offense, they finished with 312 total yards but they did put up three touchdowns and three field goals.
— Orie Lemon is the Justin Blackmon of OSU’s defense. He had 14 tackles and is amazingly consistent and he makes plays. Every game. He will be greatly missed.
— Shaun Lewis will be one of the Big 12’s top defenders next season, I’m calling it now.
— Brodrick Brown is another guy who gets overlooked. He’s always around the ball, “Pitbull” is the perfect nickname for him.
Markelle's INT could have been the biggest play of the game
— OSU’s offense never really got on track. 4 of 13 on third down, five punts, 72 rushing yards, 240 passing yards. Those aren’t normal numbers. But they got the win and that’s all that matters.
— Bottom line: Mike Gundy’s program took a huge step forward in 2010. 11-2 record in a rebuilding season. OSU could be on the cusp of something special.
Join our Alamo Bowl live chat now
Alamo Bowl Q&A: Orie Lemon
Orie Lemon: All-Big 12 linebacker
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Senior Orie Lemon has been the anchor of Oklahoma State’s offense this season. After a knee injury forced him to miss the 2009 season, Lemon earned All-Big 12 honors this season. I chatted with Orie during Alamo Bowl week.
Why do you wear No. 41?
It was the number they gave me.
Did you try to change it at any point?
No. I could be in No. 99, it wouldn’t effect my play.
What is the worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I’ve never received a bad Christmas gift. Christmas ain’t about receiving, it’s about giving.
Give me two or three people on twitter you recommend following?
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, I follow them because they are on a team together and they are trying to accomplish something together so I see what they put on there. Michael Vick because of what he went through and what he is accomplishing right now.
What was your favorite Big 12 road trip?
Texas. The atmosphere and since I’d been here we never beat them, so to leave with a win is great.
When you were home (in Houston) during the break were you able to walk around (head held high)?
They (Texas players) weren’t out and I didn’t go out. I didn’t see anyone at the grocery store. When we lose, for some reason they will find me but I couldn’t find anyone.
Any Texas fans?
I have a friend who is a Texas fan, so I was able to get on him about Texas and tell him about my team and what we accomplished against them this year.
Any superstitions?
Just make sure I am mentally focused. It’s hard a lot goes on before the game because we have a walk and the fans and everything can effect your play. But since I’ve been playing football I have been able to block that out.
Alamo Bowl Q&A: Chris Donaldson
Chris Donaldson celebrating a win over Texas
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Chris Donaldson is a solid presence in the middle for Oklahoma State. A 10-2 season would have been tough to accomplish without solid interior defense provided by Donaldson and Shane Jarka. I chatted with Donaldson this week during OSU’s preparation for the Alamo Bowl.
Why do you wear No. 95?
It’s a mixture between my junior college jersey and my high school jersey. When I came in, Nick Martinez had No. 75, that’s my favorite number from high school. When I first got here Jonathan Lewis had No. 93, which was my junior college jersey so I just took No. 95.
What’s the worst Christmas gift you received?
The worst gift I ever received was a card made of macaroni and cheese noodles, made of macaroni shells.
What is the best thing about playing college football?
The fans. The way they treat you makes you feel good, it lets you know you really matter to somebody in this world. It changes your personality and mindset and makes you more humble.
What’s the worst thing?
You’re stereotyped a lot. You catch a lot of grief, ‘You’re an athlete, you’re an athlete’ and ‘athletes do this and athletes do that.’ It’s something I hate. People say you’re an athlete, so people do your work for you. Um, no. I do my own work, I got my degree on my own.
People not thinking you earned it?
I hate it, I take pride in working for stuff I get, I don’t like being handed something.
I know you want to work with kids. What is the dream job?
Coaching. High school coaching, college coaching.
Why?
My coaches’ history. My dad was my first coach, he’s been a coach til this day, I could call him right now and he’s still giving me tips and pointers. My high school coach is like my second father. Milt Glover, my defensive line coach in high school, he taught me a lot about defensive line. Then my coaches in junior college and then ending with coach (Bill) Young is unbelievable. Someone who has been around the game a lot, he surprises me every day with something new.
What was your favorite Big 12 road trip?
Going to Missouri my first year here. They were No. 4 and nobody gave us a chance to win. That was one of my favorites.
What are your superstitions?
My beard. And I always give myself a hair cut the night before a game.
Alamo Bowl Q&A: Markelle Martin
Markelle Martin is one of the Big 12's most versatile defenders
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin has been solid and steady for the Cowboys this season. The junior ranks sixth on the team with 51 tackles and is one of the hardest hitters on the Pokes’ roster. I chatted with Markelle during the Alamo Bowl press conference earlier this week.
Why do you wear No. 10?
It was just given to me when I got here. Then I got to a point where I wanted it to mean something to me and since I wore No. 5 in high school so I decided I want to be twice as good. So I just thought of it that way because I wanted the jersey to mean something to me.
You never tried to change?
No, I never wanted to change. People ask me all the time if I’m going to change it because it’s a quarterback number but on defense the safety is actually a quarterback, you line people up, you are the quarterback of the defense.
And it’s unique too, it makes you stand out.
Yeah, if the white tights don’t help.
What is the best thing about playing college football?
Being around the team and the crowd. That’s one thing when you play defense, you have to love. The crowd can interfere with different plays and they feed off of big hits. And you can anticipate when the ball is thrown by the voice of the crowd most people don’t recognize that but you can tell, by the crowd, when something is happening or about to happen behind you.
Describe the feeling of walking to field, getting ready to run through that gate?
For me, the closer we get to game time, I get quiet, I hold everything in. I get mellow. My coach in high school told me the bigger the stage, the bigger you play so I keep that in my head. Just make plays, do what you’re capable of doing. As soon as that first chance to hit somebody, I just let it all out. And it’s back to normal then.
What’s your biggest superstition?
Doing something wrong, something out of the ordinary. Putting the jersey on wrong or something you would be thinking about, like… “Hey I have to calm down, I need to pay more attention”
What’s up with the white tights?
I used to do it in high school. It’s really nothing special, just turf burn. I get a lot of turf burn so I learned after the Tulsa game (to wear) either socks or tights.
What was your favorite Big 12 road trip?
I’d say Texas. There was a lot of hype going into that game, the atmosphere was great and we came out with a win. The team was ready to play and everything was hitting on all cylinders.
Check out an example of Martin’s hard hitting nature (hit #3):
Alamo Bowl Q&A: Ugo Chinasa
Ugo Chinasa earned second team All-Big 12 honors in 2010
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Oklahoma State defensive end Ugo Chinasa was a solid contributor for the Pokes in 2010, earning second team All-Big 12 honors. He’s looking to finish his senior season with 11 wins to leave a winning legacy in Stillwater. I chatted with Ugo in San Antonio on Sunday as OSU prepares for the Alamo Bowl against Arizona on Wednesday.
Why do you wear No. 91?
Because they gave it to me.
No significance?
No, nothing like that.
What is the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
Somebody gave me a card with a dollar in it. In high school, I forgot who it was.
Did you keep the dollar?
I kept the dollar, I spend it at lunch that day on, I think, some candy.
What is the best thing about playing college football?
Being around my teammates. It’s the best years of your life, the people you’ll meet, you’ll be friends with them for the rest of your life.
What’s the worst thing?
Early morning runs and all the running stadiums and all that.
What is your favorite Big 12 road trip?
When we played Missouri two years ago, it was a primetime game, they were No. 2 or 3 in the country and we went down and beat them.
What’s your biggest superstition?
I have to listen to Lil Wayne, Tupac or (Young) Jeezy before every game.
Any NFL guys you watch and try to mimic their game?
Julius Peppers, Osi Umenyiora. And I like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. They are my two favorite players with the way they make plays.
Unnoticed production
Andrew McGee is a All Big 12 corner
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Quick…Name the Big 12 leader in interceptions.
Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara? Texas’ Aaron Williams? Colorado’s Jimmy Smith?
Nope, try Oklahoma State’s Andrew McGee.
The senior from Magee, Miss finished the season with five interceptions to capture All-Big 12 honors after wondering if he would ever play football again at this time last year.
Heading into the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29, McGee is looking to be a big part of OSU’s first 11-win season in program history.
“I can’t even explain how bad I want to [win],” McGee said. “Being a senior and having a great season, there’s nothing like finishing strong. And that’s what our team talked about all the time, is finishing. It’s a great chance, a great opportunity to be able to complete a great season at Oklahoma State.”
Foles impressed by the Pokes
Orie Lemon has been a mainstay on the Pokes D
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Arizona quarterback Nick Foles is impressed by what he’s seen from Oklahoma State’s defense. In his preparation for the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29 against the Cowboys, Foles has seen the plenty of game film while trying to prepare for OSU’s defense.
“One thing I’ve noticed about Oklahoma State is they’re a very athletic team,” Foles said. “They’re fast, quick and they’re an athletic team. It’s going to be a really fun game to play and I’m really excited about it.”
Slowing Foles and receiver Juron Criner will be a key for the Cowboys defense. Criner has 74 receptions for 1,197 yards and 10 touchdowns this season earning All-Pac 10 honors.
No Quinn Sharp? What should OSU do?
Dan Bailey has been outstanding for OSU
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With the news that Quinn Sharp won’t play for Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29, the question is: What do the Cowboys do? Who should punt for the Pokes?
My suggestion:
Anyone but Dan Bailey. And here’s why:
Dana Holgorsen remains on board to run his offense and call plays against Arizona. This season, Bailey is averaging 2.3 field goal attempts per game and 5.5 extra point attempts per game. So that’s around eight kicks per game. Then add roughly eight kickoffs (OSU averages 8.16 per game) so that’s double the normal work for Bailey.
Then you want to add punting duties too? I wouldn’t.
Give Michael Reichenstein a shot, again partly because there’s no reason to believe Dana Holgorsen’s offense will be stopped, it’s been pretty outstanding all season (at least West Virginia thought so…). Sharp averaged 3.8 punts per game and had four different games where he punted two times or less.
So have Reichenstein punt and let Bailey worry strictly about the kicking duties, just in case you need him to line up and nail a game-winning kick like against Texas A&M.
OSU questions? Submit them for a Christmas day mailbag
Justin Blackmon has been outstanding in 2010
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Since I was unable to attend my chat earlier today, I will be putting together a Oklahoma State mailbag to be posted on Christmas Day to answer any looming questions Cowboy fans have about the Pokes trip to the Alamo Bowl.
If you have any OSU questions feel free to email me at bchatmon@opubco.com or send me a tweet and I will include your question in the mailbag. You’ll have until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve to submit your questions with the mailbag being posted Christmas afternoon.
