Film Study: Director’s Cut
Brandon Weeden eventually settled in and got OSU's offense on track.
By John Helsley, Staff Writer
follow me on twitter @jjhelsley
For much of the first half Thursday night, the Cowboys looked like they were experiencing a reality check.
“It’s a lot different playing against Washington State and Tulsa and Troy,” ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer said as the Cowboys fell behind 14-0 and failed to convert a third down through the game’s first 25 minutes, a stretch that carried into the Cowboys’ seventh possession.
Then the Pokes got going, carving up the Aggies, much like they’d done those lightweights in starting the season 3-0.
How’d OSU flip the switch?
In truth, it was several flipped switches.
A second look at the game, via DVR, showed that OSU’s surge to the 38-35 win was a total turnaround.
* After failing to create running room and collapsing quickly as a pocket through most of two quarters, the Cowboys’ offensive line steadied against the aggressive Aggies defense.
* Quarterback Brandon Weeden, hurried into dump-offs and flare routes early, calmed down, managing the pressure better and worked the middle of the field, where receivers ran free.
* Kendall Hunter got going, slowing A&M’s push and making the play-action passing game more effective.
Cowboys coaches maintained that they made no major halftime adjustments. In hindsight, OSU just did what it does, only better.
Call of the Game
Down 14-0 but finally showing signs of life, Cowboys offensive coordinator gave the Aggies something they hadn’t seen on tape.
On first-and-10 from the A&M 38, OSU split four wide receivers – two to each side – with two running short curl routes and two running deeper out routes, leaving the middle of the field wide open.
Running back Joseph Randle bolted right through the middle, past linebacker Kyle Mangan, finding himself uncovered for an easy throw and catch and touchdown.
Game Balls
The defensive numbers weren’t pretty for OSU. And yet, at game’s end, several defenders and defensive plays stood out.
Ugo Chinasa, from an end spot, made plays all over the field, finishing with six tackles, two sacks and an interception in which he showed his athleticism, avoiding an attempted cut block, tipping the pass into the air, then hauling it down before romping 22 yards on the return. Chinasa harassed Aggies quarterback Jerrod Johnson throughout and also was on the spot to halt running back Christine Michael on a fourth-and-1 try at the OSU 32.
Linebacker Tolu Moala wasn’t supposed to play this season after suffering an August knee injury and wasn’t supposed to play as much as he did against A&M, yet was needed extensively after starter Justin Gent left on the game’s third play from scrimmage with a head injury.
All Moala did was produce a career game, totaling eight tackles.
Unsung Hero
Among a group of receivers that features Justin Blackmon and others, Bo Bowling is often forgotten.
Against the Aggies, Bowling caught four passes – three of them critical.
Bowling produced OSU’s first third-down conversion of the game with a 16-yard grab from Weeden that carried into A&M territory, extending what would be the offense’s first scoring drive.
On the opening drive of the second half, a touchdown march that cut the lead to 21-14, Bowling provided a 13-yard gain on second-and-15 to the Aggies 14, adding four big yards after the catch with a nice cut away from a defender.
And on the Cowboys’ first go-ahead drive, Bowling’s 11-yard reception on second-and-10 carried to the A&M 18.
Pressure Points
Weeden was picked off twice and also lost a fumble, all in the first half.
Each of the turnovers was the product of pressure.
On the fumble, Weeden was hit from the blind side on a cornerback blitz by Terrence Frederick. Weeden held the ball a long time, due to a slow-developing screen set up for Randle.
Weeden’s first interception came off a hurried throw, yet was as much about a poor decision fired toward Josh Cooper, who was covered by the safety, with corner Dustin Harris sitting in the zone and jumping the pass for the pick.
The second interception was basically off a desperation throw, with the Cowboys facing fourth-and-3 at the Aggies 13. Corner Lionel Smith blitzed off the edge, forcing Weeden to unload as he was hit.
Scouting Report
Johnson was voted Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, partly because of a lack of returning quarterbacks in the league, partly because of his playmaking skills.
But Johnson has always been a mixed bag, prone to drastic highlights and lowlights. And we saw both ends of the spectrum Thursday night.
Johnson rifled many big throws, converting long third downs and tight-fit touchdowns. And gave the ball away five times.
Johnson fumbled once, just dropping the ball for James Thomas to scoop up and return 63 yards for a touchdown. Three of his four interceptions were bad throws, one right into the arms of Chinasa and two wobbly chunks to nowhere.
The Aggies will live and die with Johnson. And they’ll likely do both, capable of beating – and losing to –anyone in the Big 12 because of it.
Runback Woes
Quinn Sharp continues to make an impact with his big boots on kickoffs, getting touchbacks on five of six kicks against the Aggies.
But, oh, beware those rare instances when return men dare to bring the bal out of the end zone.
After the Cowboys scored their first touchdown, pulling within 14-7, the kickoff team surrendered some of the momentum, allowing the Aggies’ Cyrus Gray to scoot 47 yards on the return, missing at least four tackles along the way.
Mike Gundy says he’s going to stick with the seven freshmen assigned to the kickoff unit, yet he’s also admitted changes have been discussed.
Runback Whoa
When OSU lost starting safety Victor Johnson, they also lost their main kickoff return man.
Johnson actually suffered his knee injury, believed to be season-ending, on a runback.
Justin Gilbert replaced Johnson back deep and figures to get more opportunities there. His 45-yard return in the fourth quarter showed some of the excitement coaches have been talking about.
Handy Man
Teammates have raved about wideout Josh Cooper’s hands.
He showed them off – well, one off – on a big catch during OSU’s opening drive of the second half. As Weeden rolled left, he fired a bullet across his body. Cooper reached out with one hand, his left hand, pulled the ball in without ever using his right hand and completed a 13-yard gain on second-and-10.
The Cowboys went on to score a critical touchdown, announcing themselves as back in the game.
Bad Series
The Cowboys may have helped A&M’s late rally with a bad set of downs following Gilbert’s big return.
Starting at the A&M 45, Weeden rolled out on first down with room to run, but instead of taking a 3- or 4-yard gain and sliding down, keeping the clock running, he fired incomplete. Weeden tossed another incompletion on third down.
Instead of running clock and forcing the Aggies to burn time outs, only 59 seconds elapsed, with A&M taking over with 4:20 remaining for a drive to a tying touchdown at 35-35.
Film Study: The Expanded Edition
Kendall Hunter running left for a TD, keeping with the trend.
By John Helsley
follow me on twitter @jjhelsley
In Thursday’s paper, I wrote about OSU’s heavy lean to the left in the run game as part of my film study analysis, which will be a regular feature throughout the football season (typically on Monday’s, but later this week and next due to non-televised games).
Here’s what I wrote on that — and more — and as I’ve added a few more items that didn’t fit in the paper, but always have a place in cyberspace…
Film Study: Cowboys Run Game Leans Left
Kendall Hunter’s path to the No. 2 spot in the national rushing rankings veers left – predominantly left.
Through two games, Hunter has run for 414 yards and six touchdowns. And the overwhelming bulk of his 49 carries have gone behind the left side of the Oklahoma State line, where tackle Nick Martinez, guard Jonathan Rush and center Grant Garner have created regular running lanes.
Even when the Cowboys send Justin Blackmon or Josh Cooper slashing inside for tosses, some runs some technically passes, it’s almost strictly to the left.
In our weekly film study review, that jumped off the screen from the Troy game.
The Cowboys ran 37 times against the Trojans. Rarely did the call go right.
Maybe it’s only an early trend, built around some comfort zone on that side of the ball, although OSU’s one returning line starter from 2009, Lane Taylor, is situated at right guard.
Maybe it’s what scouting reports of Washington State and Troy dictated.
But you can bet if a sports writer has noticed, future foes will notice.
Game Ball
Junior wide receiver Josh Cooper produced his best game as a Cowboy against Troy, both statistically and in impact.
Cooper posted career-bests in receptions (8) and receiving yards (114) and also added 16 rushing yards on end around.
But he changed the game for OSU with a third-quarter punt return for a touchdown, breaking a 27-27 tie and sending the Cowboys ahead for good in the 41-38 win.
The return, covering 66 yards, started with Cooper fielding a rugby-style punt from Troy’s Will Goggans on the fly. After the catch, Cooper shook free from the first defender downfield, headed left for 30 yards, then cut back right at the 25, cruising into the end zone.
Among Cooper’s receptions were a 40-yard grab to the Troy 24, setting up a Hunter scoring run; and a 41-yard catch on a third-down play to extend another touchdown drive.
Unsung Hero
With Blackmon and Cooper piling up impressive receiving statistics, Tracy Moore’s three catches were somewhat overshadowed.
Except two of Moore’s grabs converted third downs and kept alive scoring drives.
With OSU down 27-20 and facing third-and-4 at the Troy 8, Moore caught a pass near the right sideline and turned it upfield for several tough yards and a first down at the 2. Weeden hit Blackmon on a fade route on the next play as the Cowboys pulled even.
Play of the Game
Angst had filled the Boone Pickens Stadium air as Weeden fumbled the snap while trying to take knee in the final minute.
Troy recovered at the Cowboys 34, needing just a field goal to tie it.
But as Trojans quarterback Corey Robinson dropped back to pass on first down, Justin Gent circled wide around the right side, and tomahawked the ball free while jumping on Robinson’s back.
OSU linebacker Orie Lemon recovered, preventing shame and defeat.
‘Diamond Vision’
After the opener against Washington State, OSU’s three-back formation was all the rage.
Dubbed the “Diamond” by some, while “Black Diamond” gained steam in an online vote of fans, the set was used frequently by the Cowboys, with good results.
Against Troy, OSU used the formation only once, in a goal-line situation.
See That?
Of all the highlights Hunter has produced, and there’s been many already, his 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Troy may top them all.
Hunter took a handoff up the middle, cut one step to his left and charged for the end zone. Nearing the goal line, he plowed through linebacker Daniel Sheffield, who flew back into the end zone. Strong safety Willard Ross hit Hunter low, seemingly bringing him down. Except Hunter maintained his balance, putting his hand to the turf, then rose up and walked in for the score.
Heavy Hitter
These Cowboys are making a name for themselves as willing big hitters.
Even the kids are getting involved, with true freshman Devin Hedgepeth providing a major blow late in the third quarter.
With OSU leading 34-30, the Trojans had a first-and-goal at the Cowboys 7.
Troy’s versatile wideout Jerrel Jernigan, working from the ‘Wildcat,’ took the direct snap and raced around right end. Hedgepeth met him at 3, dislodging the ball for Victor Johnson to recover.
Snap Decisions
Troy runs a variety of sets and looks on offense.
And the Trojans let a variety of guys handle the snap.
Two quarterbacks, Robinson and backup Jamie Hampton, along with Jernigan and running back DuJuan Harris all took snaps from the shotgun.
Scouting Report
We’d heard about the explosive abilities of Jernigan, who does everything from returning punts and kicks to catching passes to running the ball to working from the “Wildcat.”
Here’s the deal: the dude was better than advertised.
Jernigan had a couple costly fumbles against OSU, but he was one of the Trojan’s true playmakers on offense, so maybe he was trying to do too much, if that’s possible.
Put him in any offense anywhere – especially Holgorsen’s – and Jernigan would thrive.
Flip It
OSU’s offense regularly features a receiver or two running parallel to the line of scrimmage. They can be a few yards downfield or directly in front of – or behind – Weeden in the shotgun.
And that subtle difference, in front/behind, is the difference in a run or a pass.
Several times against Troy, receivers ran right in front of Weeden for what looked like end around runs. But a close watch of the replay showed that on the plays in front, Weeden actually two-hand flipped the ball up into the air for Blackmon or Cooper to snatch on their way to decent gains.
Officially, Blackmon and Cooper were each credited with one rush each, when they passed behind Weeden.
Big Foot
Cowboys punter and kickoff specialist Quinn Sharp is a major weapon with his ability to consistently put kickoffs into the end zone.
Of Sharp’s 18 kickoffs in two games, 14 have resulted in touchbacks.
Of course, a dangerous return man like Jernigan can offset that asset.
After taking a knee on Sharp’s first four kicks into the end zone Saturday night, Jernigan decided to take the fifth out, and scooted 53 yards to the OSU 47, perhaps catching the Cowboys coverage by surprise.
They should have been ready on the next kickoff, which Jernigan took the distance, 100 yards.
Ball Security
Fumbles really only occur for two reasons: dislodging hits or careless ball security.
OSU’s five fumbles (three lost) against Troy were all the result of sloppy play.
Cooper held the ball away from his body when he fumbled at the end of a reception.
Weeden twice fumbled while trying to pass, the first time when a Troy defender swiped the ball loose as Weeden dealt with pressure behind him; the second time when he was stripped from behind on a pump fake.
No Worries Over Offensive Struggles
Orie Lemon and his defensive pals ruled Saturday's scrimmage.
By John Helsley
follow me on twitter @jjhelsley
By now you’ve probably heard about how the defense dominated Saturday’s scrimmage.
How the offense struggled to move, let alone score.
Here’s the deal: don’t despair.
We could have predicted the offense’s troubles. The Cowboys were without Kendall Hunter (out of town attending a funeral), who changes everything, as both a player and a threat.
The line was without Lane Taylor, the only returning starter up front, who continues to take while healing from a minor leg/foot injury.
And, most of all, the defense is essentially cheating at this point.
“If we ran 50 plays today,” said quarterback Brandon Weeden, “I bet (linebacker Justin) Gent screamed out 25 of them. He was like, ‘Watch this, watch this…’ And he hit it right on the nose.
“It’s going to be harder for other teams.”
We’ve reached that point in the preseason, where the defense gains a decided edge. Defenders know all the offensive calls, they know the play signals from the sideline. So they know what’s coming.
“We’ve played against these guys spring, summer, fall,” Weeden said. “It makes it tougher on us. At the same time, we’ve got to execute.
“It’s that time of camp where the defense has the upper hand. I tell you what, we’re looking forward to playing somebody with a different color jersey.”
Weeden admits that it can get frustrating at times, to the point he’s tempted to go back in the dirt and draw up some sandlot play, just to mess with the defense.
“I do it every once in a while,” Weeden said. “I’ll throw some fake signals out there, whatever I can do to just throw a changeup.”
If anything, it would be a disappointment if the defense didn’t dominate. They did and that’s a good thing, even from Weeden’s vantage point.
“Give those guys credit, they’re flying around,” Weeden said. “The safeties, those guys on the corners, they look good. Hats off to them.
“It’s a team deal and it’s nice to see those guys have some success.”
