Catching Up, Sort Of, With Kendall Hunter
By John Helsley
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The revelation that Cowgirls point guard Tiffany Bias and former Cowboys running back Kendall Hunter are an item is nothing short of fascinating.
Not that they don’t make a fine pair; wouldn’t begin to know.
It’s just that they’re so, well, different.
Bias is outgoing and inviting of conversation, while Hunter is as quiet and humble as they come, to the point he avoids interaction as well as he avoids contact in the open field.
So I asked Bias, did you have to approach him?
“A little bit,” she said. “I’m mean, I’m loud and I’ll go talk to anyone. We’re kind of totally opposite, he’s quiet and I’m loud. But once he opens up, he’s actually loud. He will laugh loud and tell jokes. He’s really great.”
The two met at a frozen yogurt shack last fall in Stillwater when Bias, then a freshman, had only been on campus a few months.
“We exchanged numbers and after that we talked,” Bias said. “I was taken right off the market after that.”
Even though Hunter is in San Francisco and Bias is in Stillwater, the romance continues.
“It’s really difficult,” Bias said. “He’s my best friend and now he’s 15,000 miles away.”
She’s been out there and he’s coming home this week, with the 49ers on their bye week in the NFL.
So they manage.
“It’s hard, but at the same time, it’s time management,” Bias said. “I’m really busy. He’s really busy with football. So it kind of works out. We have to keep our main focuses, which is sports right now. It’s good that he understands my time and I understand his.”
Bias reports that Hunter hasn’t gotten the big head with his big job and big paycheck. No trip to the Mercedes lot.
“No, he’s actually really good with his money,” she said. “He hasn’t done anything over the top, gone and bought a huge car or anything like that. He’s very conservative with money. He’s very humble about everything.”
Same old Kendall, although he did allow himself one purchase.
“Well, he loves electronics,” she said. “That big flat screen TV, he went and got something like that. It’s a man thing.”
Something for her, perhaps?
“He always gets me little gifts here and there,” Bias said. “That’s just who he is, he’s always done stuff like that.”
Film Study: Director’s Cut
Brandon Weeden eventually settled in and got OSU's offense on track.
By John Helsley, Staff Writer
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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.
Aggies Talk
Kendall Hunter's success in balancing OSU's offense could be key against Texas A&M.
By John Helsley
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As games circled on the schedule go, Texas A&M is the one many have traced in red for Oklahoma State.
Not OU. Not Texas.
A&M.
Why the Aggies? How OSU fares against the crew from College Station always seems to provide an strong indicator of what we can expect from the Cowboys. During the Big 12 era, OSU’s best seasons — including the past two — typically feature wins over the Aggies.
This season begs an indicator, with the Cowboys beating up a series of softies to arrive at 3-0 entering this Thursday night ESPN special.
So this game, against a team holding the same could-be contender status in the South, sizes up a solid forecaster of what’s to come for the Cowboys. And the Aggies, for that matter…
A&M has failed in its recent big moments on the big stage, writes Brent Zwerneman in the Houston Chronicle.
The Aggies are ready to prove they’re improved on defense, writes Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The Austin American-Statesman’s Suzanne Halliburton has this on A&M’s offense, which has been surprisingly pedestrian.
And from A&M’s weekly press conference, here’s what Aggies coaches and players have to say about their matchup with the Cowboys:
HEAD COACH Mike Sherman
On the off week… “I thought we had good preparation. We really worked some long practices. We went out there in full pads three days. We worked on a lot of fundamentals and things we need to get better at, like ball security, special teams play and getting better defensively. I thought it was a very profitable week. I thought they had good preparation yesterday at practice.”
On the atmosphere in Stillwater… “They are right on top of you. We’ve already talked about that element of it, the maturity factor our team has to have. The fans are sitting right behind you, and cheering for their team and against you. We talked about where you can’t lose focus and just allow them to do what they’re doing. We’re not going to change that, but how we handle that is in our control.”
On the importance for the program to get this win… “Obviously, every game has importance. There’s no question about that. This is a conference game. For our fans, there’s no question it’s hugely important because they will all be tuned in and watching. And our players know they are playing a team that is a challenge. I know Bill Young, he’s a great defensive coach and has done a wonderful job up there. The offense, run by (Dana) Holgorsen, is doing a great job. Their special teams are strong. They are at home. They have a lot of momentum going on. From a confidence factor, and I worry more about that for our team–the confidence factor to be able to get over this hump–that’s important for our team.”
On the team’s confidence heading into Thursday… “This team has risen to another level of confidence that we haven’t had before. I feel this team has a lot of confidence in what we’re doing and who we’re doing it with. But in order to take the next step, we have to go on the road against a good opponent like this and play well.”
On 3-0 last year versus 3-0 this year… “I think we’re playing better defense now. We’ve taken a step that way. We’re a year older and a year wiser. I don’t think we’re as fragile as we were a year ago. When things went south in the fourth ballgame last year against Arkansas, and they went south very fast, I don’t think we handled that very well. I think our team is more mentally mature to be able to handle the adversity and the bumps in the road that come in a game. If you can’t handle those things it’s difficult to win games consistently. I never would have drawn the FIU game up the way it turned out, but I think it was a learning experience for our guys knowing how to handle themselves and fight through it. We handled the adversity in that game. We’ve used it to be a teaching moment.”
On the importance of establishing the run game Thursday… “It’s important every week, but more so on the road, with the noise and the crowd and moving the chains and being able to hear the snap count. Against FIU, we had way too many 2nd-and-long and 3rd-and-long situations due to penalties and sacks. We like to have balance. In order to run it you’ve got to throw it, and in order to throw it you’ve got to run it. We have to stay out of long-yardage situations, particularly on the road.”
On the upcoming stretch of games being important for you personally… “I’d have my head in the sand not to realize that it’s important to win football games. We’ve been trying to do that since we’ve gotten here. But along the same lines, we’re trying to get the right pieces in place in order to do that successfully and consistently. I’ve got to be honest with you, and I know it’s coach speak, but I don’t think much past the next game. We’re going to go out there and play our butts off and hopefully play well. I have my own motivation. I feel a responsibility to this university and to the former students. I’m working as hard as I can work, and the players are working hard. We have a good group of kids and I’m excited about this team and this ball game. One game does not make a season, but we’re looking forward to playing it. We have high expectations.”
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Tim DeRuyter
On having (OSU Off Coord) Dana Holgorsen’s number… “Oh, no (laughing). Coach Holgorsen does a great job. Everywhere he has been he’s been tremendous. We got lucky last year (at Air Force). We had a really good club, had some tremendous coaches and the kids played really well that day. This year is a different year with different players and he’s done a great job up there. Our guys played well that day last year. I really liked our club last year. I was fortunate to be on a great coaching staff, and it’s the same way here. I think our kids are starting to buy in to what we’re doing. But it’s a totally different year. We’ve got to play well to have a chance. If you don’t, they’ll embarrass you and hang half a hundred on you in a hurry. So no, I don’t have anybody’s number.”
On Holgorsen’s offensive differences between Houston and Oklahoma State… “The big difference is that the run game is much better. A lot of the concepts are the same but when you are handling the ball to (Kendall) Hunter it looks a little different. They do a tremendous job of putting a lot of stress on you.”
On whether he senses the defense is fired up about playing OSU… “I think our guys are excited about the challenge, number one because it’s our first league game. And number two, I think the guys have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder because of how we’ve played in the past. The guys feel we have a chance to be a decent defense. We’ve played decent the first three games but we really haven’t played anyone near the capability that we’ll see Thursday night.”
On the defense better handling adversity… “Well, we had a few turnovers in the last couple of games. When you are a young team like we’ve been, you don’t handle adversity well. This year, we haven’t been perfect but we have handled that much, much better. Part of it is training and part of it is maturity and having been there. They feel better about themselves when adversity does hit them. I like where we’re at, but again we haven’t been on the road. So we have to face that challenge of a hostile crowd and one of the top offenses in the country. Hopefully we’ll handle those situations well on Thursday.”
On whether he’ll temper the defense’s excitement Thursday… “I want our guys excited. Atmosphere and a setting like this are why you play and coach in college football. You play defense with attitude and emotion, and anything that raises that level is good. I think our guys are going to be fired up for this. I know I am, and I know our staff is.”
On how to stop an offense like OSU… “It’s tough. You’ve got to be multiple. You’ve got to disguise things and make it a little bit of a chess game. It’s difficult against this kind of offense which is up tempo, because they force you into things quickly and then check with the sideline. That’s all part of the challenge. But we think we have some good players on our side too, and we look forward to the challenge.”
SENIOR QB Jerrod Johnson
On what to expect from Oklahoma State… “Oh, it’s typical OSU. They are big, fast, athletic, and they run to the ball well. They have playmakers on their team. Anyone in the Big 12 is going to be talented but Oklahoma State especially. If you watch the way they walk off the bus they are very impressive.”
On the battle in the trenches… “It’ll be huge. That is what decides games. The front seven play is the equalizer in every game. That war right there will be huge. Our offensive line has been working really hard and it will be a loud environment. We’ve been working on some things in communication to combat that. I think the up-front war will decide how the game will be won.”
On the first conference game bringing more excitement… “I think it does. You play your first three games, and you don’t want to overlook them, but you play teams you don’t know much about. They probably know more about you than you do about them, and they come out and give it their best shot. But with Oklahoma State, you know about their coaching staff. You know about their players. You have friends on their team. Conference play is a little more exciting because you expect to play teams like Oklahoma State when you come to A&M to play in the Big 12. You look forward to it.”
On whether A&M can be a good road team… “I think so. I don’t think it’s a sense of doing that much more, it’s just a sense of knowing what you’re getting into. Knowing you can’t communicate as well as you are used to. Preparing for adversity basically. It’s going to be a great environment, and it will be very loud. There are so many things you can try and explain (to the young guys), but once you experience it you have a completely different mindset. You learn through experience, and I think we’ll be able to handle that adversity much better this year.”
JUNIOR OL Evan Eike
On getting into a rhythm… “Rhythm is a big part of tempo. We really focus on getting that first first down. That gets everyone going and gives us a chance to move ball and get the defense back on its heels.”
On playing on the national stage Thursday night… “We’re excited. It’ll be a big-time stage, a lot of fun and a fun environment. We want to start fast and well. We want to get into a rhythm and play well offensively from the beginning of the game. We want to play a complete game.”
On the bye week… “We had a great week last week. We feel we corrected a lot of things. We’ve got to come out in a good rhythm and get things going and communicate. If we play well early, we can get it going offensively and hopefully sustain that the rest of the game.”
JUNIOR WR Jeff Fuller
On the OSU offense putting more pressure on your offense than usual in a game… “Yeah that puts a lot of pressure on us. I know our offense has to pick it up, but at the same time I have a lot of confidence in our defense.”
On the atmosphere in Stillwater… “It’s a hostile environment, but I actually like that. I like playing against big crowds. One of my favorite games in high school was playing in a basketball game at Hebron. It was a very hostile environment. That brings a lot of excitement and energy to the game.”
On the importance of getting into a rhythm early… “It’s pretty important to come out strong, complete passes, make big plays and get big runs. But at the same time it’s a four-quarter game.”
On the off week… “I think we cleaned a lot of things up. The offense had a few pretty rough practices, but we picked up the intensity quite a bit. The defense got after us and we answered back.”
On why 3-0 this year is better than 3-0 last year… “I feel like we’re a lot more mature this year. Last year, our offense was a little more explosive at this time. But this year, we’ve gotten a lot better at togetherness, and knowing what needs to be done, and assignments, and coverages. Last year, Big 12 play was a first even for a lot of us starters. This year, I feel like we a lot more know what to expect and will be better prepared.”
JUNIOR DB Trent Hunter
On von miller’s effect… “He’s an All-American. He brings it every game and every day at practice. When you have a guy like that coming off the edge, the quarterback knows he’s coming. The quarterback always has that little thing in the back of his mind that Von is coming. It’s always good for us to have people like him and the guys off the other side up front.”
On the challenge OSU’s No. 1-ranked offense will present… “We’re ready for it. We’ve had a few good weeks but we are ready to prove ourselves against a team that’s putting up big numbers. If we have a big week against them it will put our name out there. We’re ready for the challenge.”
On the challenge OSU’s offense presents as a safety… “I feel like the way our linebackers and defensive line are getting a push up front, I trust the guys up front and put all my faith in them that they’ll do their job. They’ll be prepared for the run and we will be prepared for the pass. We plan to go out there and have a good game.”
On how to stop OSU’s offense… “The previous teams they’ve played haven’t done a good job of defending the big play. You really can’t do that if you want to be a successful defense. If we can defend the deep ball first I think we’ll be ready for anything.”
On being hyped up for Big 12 play… “Definitely. You always have that feeling in the locker room that it’s conference play now. There’s no way we can lose any momentum going into this week.”
JUNIOR LB Garrick Williams
On Kendall Hunter… “Kendall Hunter is a talented back. He’s shifty. But I think our coaches will put us in a good spot to stop them.”
On getting a chance to go against OSU’s run defense… “I’m very excited. I think Coach (Terrell) Williams told me the other day that they were rushing for 200 yards a game. It’s a good offense against a good run-stopping defense. It’s just another chance for the defense to step up and show people what we’re about this year.”
On battling adversity… “That’s the reason why the game against FIU was kind of good for us. It was a game that keeps us humble. We faced adversity, and maybe last year we wouldn’t have gotten out of that. This year, I think we are able to fight through that and we are ready for things like that. Coach Sherman stresses maturity all the time. All those freshmen who got to play last year are sophomores now, but they take the field and think like juniors and seniors. So that’s big.”
SENIOR JOKER Von Miller
On his season so far… “I feel like I’m doing what I need to do for us to be a good defense and win. I’m not really too concerned about my sack totals. I’m concerned in a way, because I want to be the best, but it’s not really on my back.”
On being on television and getting to show the nation their defense… “I’m looking forward to playing on a stage like that. It’s going to be a great game and a great atmosphere. We’re playing OSU, which is a very good team. It can’t get any better. This is what we’ve been waiting for and we finally have a chance to go out there and play a really good team.”
On whether offenses have been double-teaming him… “There really haven’t been many double teams or many chips. It hasn’t been anything different from last year. Coach DeRuyter is doing a really good job of mixing everything up and putting us in position to make plays. That keeps the offense guessing. I really haven’t gotten double-teamed or anything like that, it’s just me playing with this injury. The ankle is getting better every day, that’s all I can hope for.”
On whether the fans are eager for the team to prove itself against bigger competition… “Our aggies want us to win every game. This is conference play, and every game is really like a rivalry game in the Big 12. We want to win all these games and our fans do too.”
On matching up with Oklahoma State’s offensive line… “Their offensive line is very good. They had Russell Okung last year, and the offensive line is doing very well without him. They haven’t allowed too many sacks. Their offensive tackles have some of the same techniques, stances and tendencies that Russell used last year. Russell is one of the best I went against last year. These guys look the same, it’s just a new year. We’re just going to have to come with it.”
On this being A&M’s first TV game… “I’m not too worried about this being the first time we’ve been on. I know we have big games down the road. We’re just taking it one game at a time. As long as we play every game like we’re supposed to, we’ll be where we want to be at the end of the year. It’s okay that we haven’t been on TV, we’ll get our time eventually. We’ve been preparing for our opportunity and when the opportunity presents itself we have to take advantage of it.”
Film Study: The Expanded Edition
Kendall Hunter running left for a TD, keeping with the trend.
By John Helsley
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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.
Film Study: Washington State
Brandon Weeden and the offense shined against WSU.
By John Helsley
follow me on twitter @jjhelsley
A pregame stroll through the Boone Pickens Stadium tailgating crowd confirmed the obvious Saturday.
All eyes were on the offense.
That was the buzz among those grillin’ and chillin’ anticipating the kickoff to the 2009 season.
And, oh, did it deliver, with the Cowboys producing the program’s most points in an opener since the school went by Oklahoma A&M back in 1916.
Dana Holgorsen’s take on the spread has provided the predominant chatter since his hiring last January. Finally, Saturday, Holgorsen’s attack was unveiled. And it came with the expected (Kendall Hunter dazzling), the unexpected (a full-house backfield) and a nod to Tailback U. (a heavy dose of running) during a 65-17 romp past Washington State.
With a thumb on the rewind button, a second look at the game through the DVR, we offer a second helping of analysis, which will be a regular feature during the season. And here at the blog, we’ll bring you an expanded version from the one that appears in the paper.
Call of the Game
Following a Cougars touchdown that cut what once was a 17-0 lead to 17-10, a young OSU squad’s resolve was on the spot in the second quarter. The defense had already lost both starting defensive tackles – Shane Jarka and Chris Donaldson – to injuries and Wazzu had gained momentum.
After picking up two first downs, the Cowboys had a first-and-10 from WSU 42. Operating out of the three-back set that had sprung several of Hunter’s big runs, Holgorsen used the setup to go play-action.
With the Cougars crowding the line of scrimmage in hopes of slowing down Hunter, creating one-on-one matchups outside, quarterback Brandon Weeden faked to the Hunter, dropped back and delivered a textbook throw, in stride, to Justin Blackmon in the end zone.
Touchdown. Momentum seized back.
Game Ball
Who else, but Hunter, who would have made a run at Barry Sanders’ single-game school rushing record if he’d been needed beyond the first series of the second half.
Hunter’s stats were obviously impressive: 21 carries, 257 yards, a 12.2 per-carry average, four touchdowns.
But also impressive his tough running, bringing some attitude to a young offense.
Unsung Heroes
OSU’s wide receivers regularly roamed downfield on running plays, providing blocks that helped spring Hunter’s runs for bigger yardage.
The best example came on a 66-yard jaunt by Hunter to the Cougars 1, when Bo Bowling was his wingman for the final 50, blocking and shielding would-be tacklers. And Bowling wasn’t alone, with Tracy Moore also along as an escort.
Break of the Game
On the game’s first play from scrimmage, a bad exchange between Cougars quarterback Jeff Tuel and running back James Montgomery left the ball on the turf.
Ugo Chinasa angled in from his right defense end spot to pounce on it, setting up OSU at the Wazzu 15.
Two Kendall Hunter runs later and half a minute into the contest, the Cowboys led 7-0.
It was a shot of adrenaline and comfort for the Cowboys. It was a shot in the mouth for the Cougars, who are trying to climb out of a hapless state that had seen them go 3-22 the previous two seasons.
Formation Check
The Cowboys broke out a full-house backfield – “Diamond” – on Saturday, utilizing a formation that featured Hunter with two fullbacks, Bryant Ward and David Paulsen.
Not surprisingly, they used it in the red zone. But they used it frequently overall and were in that look on Weeden’s first TD pass to Blackmon.
The Cowboys think so much of what Ward and Paulsen can offer, they drew the formation up over the summer.
See That?
After Weeden’s final TD connection with Blackmon – and Weeden’s final pass of the night – the two went for a down-low hard five to celebrate, resulting in obvious pain for Weeden and sending him to the locker room briefly, apparently to check it out.
Weeden had actually hurt his right thumb when he struck it on a Cougar helmet following through on a pass.
But the slap didn’t help. Maybe another form of congratulations is in order.
Welcome, Rookies
True freshmen Justin Gilbert and Joseph Randle provided plenty of highlights in the preseason and figure to be impact players going forward.
But their “Welcome to Division I” moments weren’t so fond.
Gilbert, making a tackle, sort of, was run over by Montgomery on a sweep around right end. And on his first punt return, he was hammered down to the turf for no gain.
Randle dropped a pass while absorbing a hit on his first touch. When he did hang on for his first reception, he was pounded for a 2-yard loss by Myron Beck.
Gun Show
When discussing his favorite attributes in a quarterback, Holgorsen ranked arm strength at about No. 8 on his list.
There are times, however, when it’s a major asset.
Weeden showed off his gun a couple times against the Cougars, with one throw made possible by his zip.
Late in the first half, with 29 seconds left from the WSU 28, Weeden sidestepped trouble from behind the pocket, then threw across his body while avoiding pressure from the front, firing an out route that went for 14 yards to Blackmon.
Scouting Report
Wulff inherited very little two years ago and the rebuilding process continues at Washington State.
Still, the Cougars appear to have a keeper in true freshman wideout Marquess Wilson.
The speedster from California finished with a team-high 108 receiving yards on four catches, with a 48-yard touchdown.
On the scoring catch, he ran through a bump at the line from Devin Hedgepeth, then caught the ball in a seam in the zone, cutting inside a late-arriving Victor Johnson.
Kicking Game
The Cowboys suffered no busts in the kicking game, but offered little excitement either.
Dan Bailey did connect on his only field goal try, from 40 yards out. And Quinn Sharp averaged 45.7 yards on seven punts, with a long of 61 yards.
Sharp’s best work, however, came on kickoffs. All 10 of his kickoffs carried at least five yards deep into the end zone, resulting in nine touchbacks with no attempted return.
When the Cougars did dare to take one out, Chantz Staden barely reached the 20 and the return was taken back to the 10 due to a holding call.
Seeking Receivers
Hubert Anyiam led the Cowboys in receptions in 2010.
By John Helsley
twitter @jjhelsley
New OSU offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is searching for capable wideouts, saying the Cowboys need at least eight receivers he can count on.
And he’s not overstating the need.
Now, before you go pointing out that nobody has eight great receivers — and accurately so — keep in mind that Holgorsen’s offense is a different monster. It’s a passing offense, operating with four wide on nearly every snap. The Cowboys are about to chunk it 50-plus times per game, which is a lot of running around for the receivers.
They’ll need a break. And they’ll need guys who can come in and keep the offense going and command respect from the defense.
So the emphasis isn’t on eight great receivers, although a few great or at least really good ones would be nice. It’s about waves of receivers who can do the job and keep moving the chains when the top targets are on the sideline catching their breath.
In Holgorsen’s attack at Houston last year, 19 different Cougars caught passes and 12 of those finished with double-digit receptions. And of those, seven caught a minimum of 22 passes and four grabbed 70 or more.
Now, contrast that with OSU’s version of the spread in 2009. The leading receiver, Hubert Anyiam, totaled 42 catches. Running back Keith Toston was next with 25.
Holgorsen utilized his backs as receivers, too, as well all saw in Houston’s upset win over the Cowboys in Stillwater. And he’ll flip the ball to Kendall Hunter a bunch this fall.
But the passing attack is built around the quarterback and those guys out wide.
And right now, Holgorsen claims faith in four: Justin Blackmon, Tracy Moore, Josh Cooper and Anyiam.
More are needed. And that’s one of the pressing issues of this preseason camp.
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Going, Going….
Cowboys baseball coach Frank Anderson anxiously watches the clock tonight, with the Major League deadline for signing draft picks arrives at 11 p.m CT.
Anderson’s recruiting class featured 13 players who were drafted. Already, two of the elite prospects, shortstop J.T. Realmuto and pitcher Zach Cates, have signed.
Anderson always thought he’d get Realmuto, who went much higher than anyone projected as a third-round pick of the Florida Marlins. And the Marlins didn’t go get him that high to let him return to school.
Still, plenty of OSU’s signees — and some potential returning players — are still in play to report to school. And Anderson hopes it remains that way as the Cowboys try to shake two straight seasons of missing the Big 12 Tournament.
Holgorsen: Hunter’s better than expected
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
After two weeks of spring practice, new Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has this assessment of Cowboys running back Kendall Hunter.
Hunter’s better than he thought he was.
“Yeah,” Holgorsen said when asked if the Cowboys senior was even better than expected. “I didn’t know how good he was. We had faced him twice (when Holgorsen was at Houston) but I don’t watch the opposing teams offense. So, I knew of him by reputation. Then you watch him in space, he can stop and start, he’s as good as I’ve seen.”
All appearances point to Hunter being back to 100 percent healthy. Tales of Hunter leaving defenders grasping for air have been commonplace this spring.
“The old adage of making people miss in a phone booth, he can do that,” Holgorsen said. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes at practice.”
Talking Kendall Hunter, James Anderson and Andrea Riley
By John Helsley
Remember Kendall Hunter?
Reigning Big 12 rushing champ.
One-third of the Triplets.
Potential Heisman candidate.
Seems so long ago, doesn’t it?
Well, maybe it’s time for a Hunter resurfacing. We haven’t seen – or heard – from “Spud” since he left the Houston loss with an ankle injury that went from sprain to fracture in the rumor mill that serves as the OSU injury report.
On Monday, Mike Gundy essentially called out Hunter subtly, saying team doctors had ruled him healthy, it was just up to Hunter to decide he could go.
Well, Hunter is on the trip to Waco and will be suited up for Baylor. Will he play? How much will he play? Only Spud knows for sure, but ideally he shakes off the rust, suffers no relapse and returns in full for what looms as a major showdown with Texas next week.
Hunter may return against Baylor.
The OSU basketball program isn’t putting on any fronts when it comes to James Anderson.
If he stays healthy and has another strong season – as expected – he’s off to the NBA after this, his junior season.
So enjoy him, Cowboys fans, and by all indications, he’ll be a joy to watch.
Check out this from Travis Ford:
“He has had some of the most ridiculous dunks. You won’t believe the energy level and peppiness he is playing with. He dunked over Teeng (Akol) the other day. It’s something I don’t know if he had ever tried and I don’t know if he could even could have done it, and he he caught a rebound and dunked it from outside the paint, just dunked over two guys. It’s just the step you hoped he would take. It’s early and you hope it continues. I don’t hype it up too much because we’ve got a long ways to go.”
Anderson is bigger and stronger and noticeably more comfortable, almost chatty by his standards.
The good news is there won’t be a need for regular questions about his future, whether he’s staying or going, even though we’d all know he’s going. That part is out of the way.
So enjoy, while you can.
On the women’s hoops front, the Cowgirls face their final season with Andrea Riley.
Her career is a mixed bag, as she’s been at the trigger of some of the program’s great recent moments, but also some embarrassments, which is why her one-game NCAA Tournament suspension still hangs over the squad and its chances to do much in March.
Still, Riley has a chance to improve her legacy, if not by leading these Cowgirls to great things, then by bridging things for a promising young core of players who figure to brighten OSU’s long-term future.
Riley is always worth watching.
This season, there’s plenty of reasons to pay close attention.
Helsley’s Back and Forth: Down Time
By John Helsley
Looking back and forth at key items in Cowboys sports:
Rewind
1) Grand Introductions. With Kendall Hunter, Dez Bryant, Perrish Cox and Jermiah Price on the sidelines in jean shorts Saturday night, we wondered where the fizz would come from in a game against Grambling. We found it in unexpected places. Wideout Dameron Fooks and tailback Jeremy Smith were superb. And while we consider the competition, we also like what we saw in two potential playmakers going forward.
2) The DL. College football doesn’t use a DL – disabled list – yet the aforementioned injured players were clearly on the shelf last week. And question remains about their availability when Big 12 Conference play opens next weekend. The Cowboys have come a long way in adding depth, but Bryant, Cox and Hunter represent three of the team’s core players. They’ll be needed at Texas A&M.
3) Backup Plan. Most of us wanted a look at OSU’s backup quarterbacks, Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden. We saw both, although in a mixed bag. Cate suffered a head injury on his first play and didn’t return. Weeden stepped in and played well, throwing his first career touchdown passes. In doing so, he climbed into the No. 2 quarterback role after a tightly contested battle for the job that spanned the spring and preseason.
4) High Stepping. The Grambling band proved as good as advertised, delivering their brand of flair to the halftime festivities. The band had some fun, playing and dancing through a Michael Jackson tribute that featured “Thriller.” Felt sorry for the OSU band, which had to follow the Grambling outfit onto the field.
5) Crowd Count. OSU didn’t get the sellout it was seeking, but the crowd of 59,000-plus still made for a record attendance in Stillwater. Next in the sellout crosshairs: Texas on Halloween. Isn’t that a spooky thought?
Forward
1) Down Time. This is my ninth season overall as a beat writer on Cowboys football. In all those years, I can’t recall a team that needed an open week as much as these Pokes. Not only are they battling the injuries to missing stars, there are several Cowboys who have been playing banged and bruised.
2) A&M-Arkansas. When the Aggies and Hogs collide in Jerry Jones’ new stadium, it will provide a revealing look at A&M. In a second season rebuild job under coach Mike Sherman, the Aggies are 3-0, yet have played nothing but cream puffs — New Mexico, Utah State and UAB. Arkansas, 1-2, isn’t great, yet represents a major upgrade over those other slackers. We’ll soon know whether the Aggies are imposing or imposters with OSU due in College Station.
3) Safety First. Cardinals coaches have raved about their two-deep at safety, with Lucien Antoine, Victor Johnson, Johnny Thomas and Markelle Martin giving the Cowboys their best collection of talent at the spots in recent memory. So far, due to injuries and suspensions, we haven’t seen much of them in the same game. With them all in play, the Pokes will be better on defense.
4) Uncommon Road. The game at A&M is OSU’s first away from the Pickens Palace this season. Kyle Field is not a comforting place to play, so it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys respond.
5) Zac Looks Back. OSU’s last trip to Kyle Field didn’t go so well for Zac Robinson, who was early in his role as the Cowboys’ starting QB. Robinson led OSU to an early lead, then was lost to a concussion and the Aggies rallied to win with him out. Still, he considers College Station one of his favorite places to play.
Helsley’s Back and Forth: Stay Awake Saturday
By John Helsley
Five things to review and anticipate in the world of OSU sports:
Rewind
1) Rice Remains. The biggest news coming out of the Rice win, other than the win, was the injury list. Jermiah Price (hand). Justin Blackmon (shoulder). Kendall Hunter (ankle). Dez Bryant (hamstring). Perrish Cox (shoulder). The hurts are mounting, and those don’t include the longer list of Cowboys playing with assorted bumps and bruises and aches.
2) Running in Place. OSU’s running game hasn’t been all that. The problem is three-fold: Struggles at guard, where two new starters are in place; Kendall Hunter’s injuries (past and present); an inability to adjust to either of the previous two. While it goes against the grain for Mike Gundy, if allowed to don the offensive coordinator hat (or bench), I’d work in reverse and pass to open things up for the run.
3) Richetti’s Ready? We’ve been waiting to see what made Richetti Jones the touted recruit before his very serious hip injury. Maybe Saturday night’s performance against Rice is a hint that he may be coming around and not becoming the next XLK. Jones looked quick off the ball and provided pressure at DE, something that’s been lacking. It was only a start, but at least it was something.
4) Zac’s Back? Answering a week of heavy questions concerning his health/performance, Zac Robinson played his best game of this season. Passes were sharper. Runs again featured a burst. Upon further review, the opinion (trotted out by yours truly first) that Zac was still overcoming the mental side of his previously sore hammy looks more accurate all the time.
5) Hoops Recruit. The Cowboys added another basketball commit, with Juco swing man J.P. Olukemi pledging to the Pokes. Sounds like a slashing scorer that Scout.com considers one of the top Juco recruits in the country. Travis Ford, with four commits to date, appears to be building something in Stillwater.
Fast Forward
Note: With the absence of opponent story lines — beyond the band — to consider this Saturday, we’re going to provide five players to watch against Grambling.
1) Beau Johnson. Because of a sore shoulder, Johnson wasn’t all that effective against Rice. If he’s better, we may get a better glimpse of what he has to offer. With Hunter’s status still in doubt, the Cowboys need to show some explosiveness at the RB spot, or risk becoming one-dimensional.
2) James Thomas. The sophomore linebacker out of LaMarque, Texas, played extensively against Rice, finishing with five tackles and a pass breakup. DC Bill Young said he made some mistakes, but overall played well. At a position loaded with seniors, Thomas represents the future of the position.
3) Tracy Moore. With Bryant ailing, the true freshman wide receiver from Tulsa Union could get a more prominent role in the offense. OSU coaches need to see what he can offer and there’s better time than this before hitting Big 12 play. At 6-2, 237 pounds and fast, Moore offers an appealing target.
4) Jeremy Smith. Watch to see if his redshirt is yanked. By all accounts, Smith is the real deal. And if the prognosis on Hunter and the running game don’t improve, coaches may be tempted to get Smith involved to help energize things and keep what was supposed to be a special season on track.
5) Alex Cate/Brandon Weeden. No sightings, so far, of the Cowboys’ backup QBs. Surely this Saturday.
