Once rivals, Daytawion Lowe and Shamiel Gary could start together at safety in 2012
Defensive players Nigel Nicholas (89), Shamiel Gary (7), and Daytawion Lowe (8) walk onto the field before OSU's first practice of the season on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. on Friday, August 5, 2011. Photo by Zach Gray
Daytawion Lowe and Shamiel Gary used to be fierce rivals in high school, with Lowe playing for Carl Albert and Gary playing for Tulsa Washington.
“When we were both sophomores, I hit him when he came down to play at Carl Albert,” Lowe said with a smile. “And our senior year, I caught a little jail-break screen, and he hit me. So we got a little history. We talk a little noise. That’s fun. It’s all in friendly competition.”
In 2012, Lowe and Gary could be starting alongside each other at safety for Oklahoma State.
Gary is one of three Cowboys vying for the starting spot at strong safety this spring after transferring to OSU from Wyoming in 2011. He sat out and redshirted last fall to satisfy those NCAA transfer rules and will have two more years of eligibility.
Lavocheya Cooper and Zack Craig are the others in contention to start at strong safety, the position vacated by Markelle Martin. Lowe is the projected starter at free safety after leading the Cowboys with 97 tackles last season.
Oklahoma State's Lavocheya Cooper (2) celebrates a fumble recovery on a kickoff in front of Baylor's Clay Fuller during a college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Baylor University Bears (BU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Gary was a Freshman All-American at Wyoming after tallying 98 tackles (2.5 for loss), three interceptions (all in one game against Weber State) and six pass break-ups. His sophomore season, he totaled 94 tackles (one for loss), one interception and five pass break-ups.
OSU coach Mike Gundy expects Gary to make an impact right away.
“He made some plays (at Wyoming),” Gundy said. “Sure did. He should contribute here. He’s done well in offseason conditioning and if he stays on track, he should get to play in the first game.
“I like his athleticism. I like what he brings to the table. He seems to be a smart football player.”
And now Lowe is being motivated by his old nemesis.
“It’s been a blessing, really,” Lowe said. “The way I see (Gary) work out there, it’s kind of driven me to work that hard. The way he’s trying to pursue and fight for a position, it’s kind of driven me to work harder.”
OSU Football: Center of Attention
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Scanning OSU’s initial spring depth chart, three positions stand out as absolutely critical to the Cowboys’ success in 2012.
Of course, you can quickly rattle off two of them: quarterback and wide receiver. The Pokes are all-in with the spread passing offense and flinging the football all over the field. It’s who they are.
So finding someone to confidently and competently deliver the football and finding several someones to catch it – forget replicating what Justin Blackmon represented – is what this spring is all about inStillwater. Pitch and catch.
That, and identifying a center.
A center I say?
In case you haven’t heard, and you may not have – heck, some of you probably haven’t even heard of him – Grant Garner is gone, his eligibility expired following a stellar career in which he made 25 starts at the starting point of all that has been superb with OSU’s offense the past two-plus seasons.
Recall these words from Cowboys line coach Joe Wickline, when asked if Garner was worthy of All-Big 12 recognition:
“No question. First-team All-Big 12. Zero question. What he means to this team, and what it would be like without him – there’s just no question that he’s an all-conference guy.”
Mike Gundy said Garner may have been OSU’s most undervalued player last season.
Think about this, how many times in recent years can you recall a bad snap?
“Grant was so smart,” said Cowboys offensive coordinator Todd Monken. “I can’t remember too often when there were snap issues, which is the most important thing, since we’re never under center. So the snapping part is a big part of it.
“And then he was such a even-keeled personality. Even though funny and joking around, the guys respected him and what he said. And just the way he carried himself and lived his life, so there’s a lot to be said for that.
“We don’t put a lot on our quarterbacks, so a lot’s on them.”
Now, a lot is on Garner’s replacement: Evan Epstein.
Who? I know, right?
But then, that’s the life of a college center, which is to say a life of obscurity.
A senior, Epstein has played only in a limited role the past two seasons, after transferring from theAirForceAcademy. Still, Monken seemed confident in Epstein’s ability to step in.
Still, he’ll be pushed this spring by sophomore Jake Jenkins and redshirt freshman Travis Cross.
The Cowboys are hoping at least one becomes a fixture.
And it’s critical, as critical as finding a quarterback and receivers.
Mike Gundy on Oklahoma State’s spring position battles
Here are some more notes from the pre-spring practice conversation with Mike Gundy, which focus mostly on the position battles heading into the spring.
Quarterbacks
I will have a big story on this on Sunday, so I’m going to hold onto those quotes for now. But junior Clint Chelf, redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh and true freshman Wes Lunt will have equal reps in the spring. And even though Chelf is an upperclassman and the only quarterback that has taken a college snap, it’s not “his job to lose.” It truly is an open competition.
Daxx Garman, a transfer from Arizona, is indeed on campus. This was something I was honestly unsure about, because he was not included in the release announcing Lunt, Blake Jackson, Calvin Barnett and Jeremiah Tshimanga had enrolled early. Garman will participate in spring drills but won’t get any reps, since he has to sit out 2012 because of NCAA transfer rules.
Pass-catchers
This is when it was revealed that Michael Harrison had decided to leave the OSU football program. Some bullet points to keep in mind here: He was suspended by the NCAA, not Gundy or OSU; He was not kicked off the team but decided to leave on his own terms; Gundy was notified of Harrison’s decision about a week ago, not when the news first came out in mid-February that he would not play in 2012; to the best of Gundy’s knowledge, Harrison has not yet asked for a release from OSU.
When asked who will step up at receiver, Gundy basically rattled off every returning receiver on the roster—Tracy Moore, Isaiah Anderson, Josh Stewart (or “No. 5,” as Gundy likes to say) and Charlie Moore.
But then the conversation turned to junior college tight end Blake Jackson, who I wrote about in January, but Gundy offered some more insight on progress so far and style of play.
“He’s 20 pounds heavier than he was when he got here, he’s developed, his attitude’s good. He can really snatch the ball, he plays faster than he looks, he’s big and physical. He hasn’t made any plays for us, he made a lot of plays on the teams he played with before, but he has potential to be a really good player. But it’s impossible to say (how good he really is), because he hasn’t been with me.
“He’s a little more elusive than what people think, and he’s hard to get down. He should catch a lot of balls at eight yards and less, but he’s not a guy that’s limited speed-wise and stays in that area. He can run a 16-yard crossing route. He should play attached, in a wing and split out.
“He very well could be (the most versatile tight end I’ve had at OSU) with his body type and his ability to run. I’m hoping that he’s going to be a more agile (Brandon) Pettigrew. In seeing what I’ve seen so far, he’s not as far along as Pettigrew was at blocking the edge. Pettigrew was probably the best in the country his years. So that’s an unfair comparison, comparing him to a first-round pick who was probably the best blocker we’ve ever had. So he’s not going to be as far along there, but I’m hoping he’s more advanced out here (as a receiver), more flexible than what Pettigrew was. So then we have to balance where he’s at based on his strengths.”
Center
Brandon Weeden called Grant Garner the most important offensive player for OSU last season. He’s gone now, as well as backup Casey LaBrue. Evan Epstein, who began his career at Air Force before transferring to OSU in 2009, should begin the spring as the starter.
Here’s Gundy’s take:
“When Garner took over, nobody thought he was going to be on the team. He was a guy most people thought he was just a guy we were filling a hole with. He ended up being, in some people’s mind, a third-team All-American. What you’re saying’s right. Every question you’re asking is right, but I just have no concern with it. There’s guys in our program that’ll make plays.”
Defensive end
Other than quarterback, this is probably the most intriguing position battle in the spring, because the Cowboys have to replace both starters. Cooper Bassett and Ryan Robinson are expected to top the spring depth chart. Gundy spoke about Robinson, as well as youngster Jimmy Bean, who should be a key part of the rotation in 2012.
Gundy on Jimmy Bean’s potential:
“He’s 22 pounds heavier and should make some plays. Bean got thrown out there because we had a depth issue last year, and it was unfair to him. We threw him out there, we had to play him early in the year to get his feet wet, to get him adjusted to it in case we got into a championship run and lost (Jamie) Blatnick or Richetti (Jones). Somebody’s got to play. Decisions we make early in the season are based on, OK, if we’re late in the year and we’re trying to beat a team to win a championship and somebody goes down, I don’t want to throw Bean out there and he’s never played before. Unfortunately, we have to play some of those guys. We went through the same thing with (running backs) Desmond (Roland) and Herschel (Sims). We played Des because Herschel was a long ways away, because mentally he wasn’t there. Then Herschel came around about a month later, then we played him.”
On Ryan Robinson’s progress:
“He didn’t understand. He came in here from junior college, and things are a lot different. Everybody’s bigger and faster and stronger and there’s 80,000 people (in the stands) and you’re on TV and you’re tired and you’ve got to go to class. Just all the things that factor into being a kid. Now you’re playing and you’re not that strong and you don’t know the system as well and you think and you’re hesitant. Now he’s 265 (pounds)—that’s what he said he was when I saw him out the other day working. When we ran our 200s, he made every one of them. When he showed up here last year, he missed three or four of them. He was ready to quit. He’s going to be different this year. I’m just giving you an example, an illustration, or really why I’m not concerned (about the players we have to replace).”
Safety
When asked who would start opposite Daytawion Lowe at safety, Gundy immediately said Lavocheya Cooper. I found that interesting, since Zack Craig became the main guy behind Markelle Martin and Lowe and made some plays late in the season, especially after Deion Imade went down with a knee injury in November. But Cooper also missed the first part of 2011, which I’m sure hindered his overall effectiveness when he came back.
Here’s Gundy’s take:
“Johnny (Thomas) and Markelle played 70 plays a game, we all know that, and they’re both gone. But ‘Voch has played, Zack’s played, Daytawion’s played. So one of those guys (will start opposite Lowe). Would I like to have one more going into the spring? I’d like to be two-deep, but nobody is.”
Mike Gundy on his energy level, coaching his sons and the pressure he feels with a new contract
Mike Gundy had a pre-spring ball conversation with the Tulsa World’s Bill Haisten and I on Tuesday. We talked about several things during the hour-long chat — position battles (ahem, quarterback), Michael Harrison, who will coach special teams, etc.
But the topic of how much longer Gundy wants to coach and if he feels more pressure now that his new contract is in place also came up. He gave some really long but insightful answers. So rather than weave a few quotes here and there into a story, I’m just going to let him talk.
I’ll have some more notes from our conversation up tomorrow.
On his current energy level going into the 2012 season:
“I hope I can keep this energy level until I’m 50. Maybe I’ll keep it until I’m 55. But this job, now, can wear you down. Once somebody started making (cell phones), then there is no break. We all used to go home.
“Are there signs of age on me? Yeah, there is. I spent six hours with (Clemson coach Dabo Swinney) yesterday, and in listening to him talk, it’s the same. It’s no different. You’ll sit down with Bob (Stoops) and I bet it’s the same with him. It’s the same with the boy at USC, (Lane) Kiffin. Probably the same with Brady Hoke up there at Michigan. It’s the same. So is there wear and tear? Yeah, there’s wear and tear. But it’s not gotten to a point where it’s ever discouraged me from wanting to get in here as fast as I can and do something about an issue or encourage something else that’s going on. That hasn’t crossed me. Now, I’ve heard it will. Guys will tell you there’ll come a point where it completely wears you out and it’s no fun anymore. That hasn’t gotten to me yet. I don’t feel that way.
“It’s hard to imagine I’m going into my eighth year. I was laying in bed last night trying to see what the weather was going to do and it showed the preview for sports and it was ‘Bob Stoops enters his 14th spring.’ I would have thought he would have been there like eight, nine, 10 years. I never envisioned 14. I don’t know where it’s all gone, but I started adding it up and he was here before Les (Miles). It’s gone fast.
“Honestly, I hope to coach about 10 years. I just don’t know if I’ll have the energy to do it at 55 and do it the right way. You have to have a lot of energy to perform at a high level at this school. I don’t know if anybody wants to hear that or not, but that’s a fact. And I’m not knocking anybody else. I’m just saying you can go to a certain place and there’s some built-in opportunities there for you. And if you’re a good manager, you take care of your people, you have a relationship with your players, there’s accountability and those things, you can run the thing. But here, you have to do all of that, and then you have to hope that most decisions you make are good, and you have to do extra to keep up. You just do.
“It takes a lot, in my opinion, to do it and do it the right way. Now, you can walk away from recruiting. I field phone calls all night. I can just not take a call after 10:30 p.m. and my phone will still ring, and it’s 2013 kids, 2014 kids. I have to make a choice when I talk on the phone. If my kids are in the car, I have to tell them quit talking. I can do that forever. You can stop recruiting and still keep the job if you want, but you won’t be very good.”
On if he feels more pressure now that the new contract is in place:
“Less pressure. It’s only human nature. I can only speak for myself, but in our profession, the one thing that’s always an issue is moving is no fun. It’s just a mess. We’re all creatures of habit. I moved around a lot when I just lived in an apartment by myself or (with) my wife when we got married, and I didn’t even like that. I could have moved all my stuff on a flatbed trailer, (but) it was no fun. When you tie children into it and a school system, they have their little league teams and teachers. I have always been leery of picking them up and putting them in a (new) system. When you get another contract, you have more stability for your kids.
“If it was just Kristen and I, I could care less. The little one (Gage) is in first grade, but the oldest one (Gavin) is a teenager. He’s in ninth grade, so he’s got his clique, his world. You’ve got the girl problems and all the typical things you go through. You pick him up and throw him in a different deal, and his daddy’s the head coach, and he may not fit the criteria, how’s that going to affect him? I don’t know. That’s life and they go through it. But we all want to shelter our kids from the things that we think can harm them. So after I got the first contract I said, I can be here four more years if I want to. And then, after I get this contract, for the most part, I can be here as long as I want, to a certain extent. I don’t have to move. If Kristen and I want to, we can stay here and our kids can finish school here in Stillwater. The school system’s good. All the things we’re comfortable with, they’re comfortable with. They can ride their bike anywhere.
“All of us are different. Some coaches, they can just get up and leave. They don’t care, even if it’s their alma mater. Not that they have anything against the school, but moving doesn’t bother them. I asked (OSU defensive coordinator) Bill Young why he moved so much. He didn’t have kids. He said, ‘What’s the big deal? Me and the old lady, we jump in the car and we’re out of here.’ Well, I don’t feel that way. That’s not what I’m comfortable with. This contract allows me to sit. I would prefer to just retire here. I don’t have any desire to coach anywhere else, really. That doesn’t mean that when people come to you, you don’t listen, but I don’t really have a desire to do it. It takes a lot of pressure off of me, because I feel I’m responsible for my family.”
On if he wants to coach his kids at OSU:
“I don’t know if my boys will ever play at this level. But if my boys ever want to play at this level, I don’t have a problem coaching them. Some people don’t want to do that. (Former OSU offensive coordinator and North Carolina head coach) Larry Fedora I don’t think ever wanted to coach his boy. I don’t mind coaching my kids. The old rule, like my dad always says, it’s always easy to coach the little league team or the team you kid’s on if your kid’s the best player. But it’s not easy to coach your kid if he’s not the best player, because you have a tendency to want to play him, and if he’s not the best player, it’s not the best thing to do.”
Clemson staff visits Oklahoma State
Dabo Swinney and members of the Clemson coaching staff visited Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State staff Monday in Stillwater.
That is pretty common during the offseason. Coaches get together to share ideas, tour facilities and, more or less, shoot the breeze. Gundy said he spent about six hours with Swinney.
Gundy notices a lot of similarities between Clemson heading into the 2012 season and his 2011 Cowboys because of the depth that returns for the Tigers, most notably the quarterback-receiver combo of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins. Clemson went 10-4 last season and won the ACC title before getting routed by West Virginia 70-33 in the Orange Bowl.
“They’ve got all their guys back,” Gundy said of Clemson. “So when they go out to spring ball, they’re legitimately two-deep. That’s the way we were last year. Well, now we’re into a rollover year where we’re filling some holes at quarterback and defensive end and safety.”
One Clemson coach who did not make the trip to Stillwater? Former Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who took the same position at Clemson after Mike Stoops returned to Norman.
“He may have been hiding,” Gundy joked. “Their defensive guys didn’t come. I like Brent. I was just giving him a hard time.”
Van Malone fits Oklahoma State’s opportunistic defensive style
Two things stuck out to me when Oklahoma State announced the hiring of Van Malone to, essentially, fill the void left when Joe DeForest joined Dana Holgorsen’s staff at West Virginia.
One is that Malone is from Houston and recruits that area. That was practically a necessity in hiring DeForest’s replacement, given his handle on Texas’ Gulf Coast region. Relationships with high school coaches and programs aren’t formed overnight, and Malone already has plenty of those established.
The other is that Malone’s defensive philosophy, which clearly focuses on forcing turnovers, will mesh well with Bill Young, Mike Gundy and the rest of the OSU staff. Tulsa led the nation with 24 interceptions in 2010 and tied for 12th in that category with 18 in 2011.
The Cowboys ranked second in the nation with 24 interceptions last season and led the nation with 44 turnovers forced.
Conversely, the Golden Hurricane ranked last in the nation in pass defense (319 yards per game) in 2010 and 117th out of 120 teams (286.31 yards per game) last season. OSU ranked 107th in that category (271.85) in 2011.
Malone’s secondary units at Texas A&M didn’t have the same success with forcing turnovers, but the Aggies improved their national ranking in interceptions every year from 2007-09.
Here’s a breakdown of how Malone’s teams fared in key secondary categories, dating back to 2007.
2007 (Texas A&M)
Interceptions: eight (T104th nationally)
Turnovers forced: 24 (T59th)
Pass defense: 254.8 yards per game (92nd)
2008 (Texas A&M)
Interceptions: eight (T99th)
Turnovers forced: 17 (T98th)
Pass defense: 242.7 yards per game (96th)
2009 (Texas A&M)
Interceptions: 12 (T50th)
Turnovers forced: 22 (T61st)
Pass defense: 254.7 (106th)
2010 (Tulsa)
Interceptions: 24 (first)
Turnovers forced: 36 (third)
Pass defense: 319 yards per game (last)
2011 (Tulsa)
Interceptions: 18 (T12th)
Turnovers forced: 28 (T25th)
Pass defense: 286.31 (117th)
Oklahoma State Spring Game set for April 21
Oklahoma State has announced that its Spring Game will be April 21 at a time still to be determined.
Coach Mike Gundy has tentatively set March 12 as the first day of spring practice.
We’ll post a full schedule when that becomes available.
Oklahoma State is Wide Receiver (Recruit) U
Oklahoma State added its fifth wide receiver commit Sunday when Jhajuan Seales from Port Arthur Memorial High School in Texas switched his pledge from Houston to the Cowboys. And there could still be more commits at the position coming before Signing Day.
OSU is the leader for four-star receiver Jaydon Mickens of Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports and his Twitter account. Javon Williams, a four-star receiver from Chandler, Ariz., visited OSU this past weekend.
(Updated: I missed a report by Scout.com’s Inna Lazarev yesterday that Williams is down to UCLA and Arkansas.)
OSU does have holes to fill at receiver, with Justin Blackmon, Josh Cooper, Hubert Anyiam and Colton Chelf all leaving.
But placing this kind of emphasis on the position—and adding a pass-catching tight end in JUCO All-American Blake Jackson and big-armed quarterback Wes Lunt—shows that Todd Monken likely won’t deviate much from the wide-open, spread attack post-Weeden2Blackmon.
Someone on Twitter brought up how using a tight end would be different, which is somewhat true. But, as I wrote Sunday, Monken plans to use Jackson much like Tracy Moore was this season. Jackson is a big target, but he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. He’ll find holes in the zone, create matchup problems, break tackles and stretch the field.
Still, it would be interesting if OSU signed five or six wide receivers and two tight ends, but no running backs in this class.
Here’s a look at the wide receivers OSU has signed over the past three seasons and their production in the 2011 season.
2011
Torrance Carr (Dallas)–no action at receiver
David Glidden (Mustang High School)—no action at receiver
Johnny Haynes (Irving, Texas)—wound up at Navarro JC
Isaac McCoy (Alma, Ark.)—no action at receiver
Josh Stewart (Denton, Texas)—19 catches, 291 yards, two touchdowns
2010
Chris Dinkins (Tyler, Texas)—moved to linebacker, no longer on roster
Kevin Johnson (Houston, Texas)—no action at receiver
Montra Nelson (Arlington, Texas)—moved to fullback, no longer on roster
2009
Michael Harrison (Dallas)—20 catches, 255 yards, three touchdowns
Charlie Moore (Bullard, Texas)—three catches, 56 yards
Tracy Moore (Tulsa Union)—45 catches, 672 yards, four touchdowns
Mike Gundy’s second national Coach of the Year award: What does it mean?
Mike Gundy picked up another national coaching honor late Thursday night, winning the 2011 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year.
National Coach of the Year awards are a bit like All-America teams—there are a lot of them. But there are five “main” ones—Bear Bryant, Eddie Robinson, American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press and Home Depot.
This season, those five awards were split between Gundy and Les Miles. Gundy also won the Eddie Robinson Award, while Miles won the other three. Another connection between the former OSU colleagues.
I thought it would be interesting to go back and revisit the Coach of the Year awards from the past 10 seasons. You’ll see expected names like Nick Saban, Gary Patterson, Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Joe Paterno and Chris Petersen. You’ll see some “huh?” names like Charlie Weis and Tyrone Willingham.
But the only coach to sweep all five awards during that time? Mark Mangino in 2007. My friendly colleague Travis Haney put it best: “It’s that hard to win football games at Kansas. Take ‘em to a BCS game, you’re going to get love.”
2011
Eddie Robinson: Mike Gundy (OSU)
Bear Bryant: Mike Gundy
AP: Les Miles (LSU)
Home Depot: Les Miles
AFCA: Les Miles
2010
Eddie Robinson: Chip Kelly (Oregon)
Bear Bryant: Gene Chizik (Auburn)
AP: Chip Kelly
Home Depot: Gene Chizik
AFCA: Chip Kelly
2009
Eddie Robinson: Gary Patterson (TCU)
Bear Bryant: Chris Petersen (Boise State)
AP: Gary Patterson
Home Depot: Brian Kelly (Cincinnati)
AFCA: Gary Patterson
2008
Eddie Robinson: Nick Saban (Alabama)
Bear Bryant: Kyle Whittingham (Utah)
AP: Nick Saban
Home Depot: Nick Saban
AFCA: Kyle Whittingham
2007
Eddie Robinson: Mark Mangino (Kansas)
Bear Bryant: Mark Mangino
AP: Mark Mangino
Home Depot: Mark Mangino
AFCA: Mark Mangino
2006
Eddie Robinson: Greg Schiano (Rutgers)
Bear Bryant: Chris Petersen (Boise State)
AP: Jim Grobe (Wake Forest)
Home Depot: Greg Schiano
AFCA: Jim Grobe
2005
Eddie Robinson: Charlie Weis (Notre Dame)
Bear Bryant: Mack Brown (Texas)
AP: Joe Paterno (Penn State)
Home Depot: Joe Paterno
AFCA: Joe Paterno
2004
Eddie Robinson: Urban Meyer (Utah)
Bear Bryant: Tommy Tuberville (Auburn)
AP: Tommy Tuberville
Home Depot: Urban Meyer
AFCA: Tommy Tuberville
2003
Eddie Robinson: Nick Saban (LSU)
Bear Bryant: Nick Saban
AP: Nick Saban
Home Depot: Pete Carroll (USC)
AFCA: Pete Carroll
2002
Eddie Robinson: Jim Tressel (Ohio State)
Bear Bryant: Jim Tressel
AP: Kirk Ferentz (Iowa)
Home Depot: Tyrone Willingham (Notre Dame)
AFCA: Jim Tressel
Blackmon: Simply The Best
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon (81) celebrates a touchdown during the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinal at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
By John Helsley
follow on twitter @jjhelsley
With the OSU offense sputtering in the second half and Stanford ahead 14-0, Justin Blackmon did what he does best, striking for a 43-yard scoring play to get the Cowboys started.
First, however, Blackmon got mad.
“I knew we could play better,” Blackmon said. “If that takes me getting mad, I guess I get mad and go out there and do it.”
Blackmon got mad and soon enough the Cowboys got even.
And eventually, after a full 60 minutes of game time, they pulled ahead, for the first time at the end of overtime, good enough for a 41-38 win in a Fiesta Bowl classic.
Andrew Luck was everything he’s been billed to be, maybe more. And Brandon Weeden was great, too, throwing for 399 yards and three touchdowns, although he wasn’t getting near the love of Luck.
But in the end, the Fiesta Bowl was Blackmon’s Big Show.
Eight catches and 186 yards and three touchdowns, with Stanford committed to stopping him and Blackmon supposedly slowed by a bum leg caused by an infection.
He did it, too, with a receiving corps that featured Colton Chelf as the No. 2 option, as more explosive wideouts Tracy Moore and Michael Harrison played only limited roles due to apparent disciplinary issues. Did it with the running game going nowhere.
Blackmon averaged 23.3 yards a catch, scored on receptions of 43, 67 and 17. And he made the defining play of the game for OSU, a fourth-down grab on the game-tying drive in the final minutes of regulation, rendering Stanford’s fifth-year senior corner Corey Gatewood helpless on a quick slant.
“If I know it is one-on-one,” Weeden said, “I’m going to Blackmon 100 percent of the time.”
Cardinal coach David Shaw was fully aware of Blackmon’s potential impact heading into the game. Afterward, he was no less impressed.
“The fact that Justin Blackmon did not get Heisman votes is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous,” Shaw said.
During the week, Shaw had compared Blackmon to Terrell Owens.
“Yards after catch, physical play, great blocker, plays with an attitude,” Shaw said. “Give the kid all the credit in the world. He deserves it.
“He’s going to do the same thing on the next level that he does on this level. Guys like that play that way in high school, junior high school, college and the NFL. He’s special.”
Don’t we all know it.
“To make big catches in crucial situations then make plays with the ball in his hands when the other team knows he is going to do it, it is pretty amazing, especially when the teams roll up on him like tonight,” Mike Gundy said.
“Stanford’s game plan, other than blitz, was to roll up and play a guy down on him. He still finds a way to get open and get the ball and the quarterback finds a way to get it to him.”
Blackmon found a way to will the OSU offense Monday night.
And to will the Cowboys’ victory.
The program has featured some elite wide receivers. Gundy played with Hart Lee Dykes and has long proclaimed his greatness. Rashaun Woods was all but unstoppable, once catching seven touchdowns in a single game. Dez Bryant dazzled with regularity.
Gundy hadn’t been willing to place Blackmon alone at the top of the list, until Monday night.
“I resisted in saying he was the best wide receiver that has ever played atOklahomaState,” Gundy said. “He is, bar none.”
