The Cowboys rebounded like a good team with senior leadership should after a tough loss. Zac Robinson was very efficient and the running game and offensive line dominated throughout the game.

Finally a Kendall Hunter sighting. It was good to see the All-American junior get back out there but it’s clear he doesn’t quite trust his body yet. He can’t cut like he normally can but he still had a successful return.

The Cowboys lost offensive tackle Brady Bond but you could barely even notice. The Pokes rushed for over 300 yards including Keith Toston’s 206 rushing yards.

The reason OSU’s defense was so strong against Iowa State’s running game was their aggressiveness. The Pokes clearly decided that Austin Arnaud could not beat them and went about proving it and that’s exactly what they did. They forced the Iowa State QB into several mistakes including three interceptions.

I’m still a big beleiver in getting Tracy Moore involved in the offense a bit more. The freshman from Tulsa Union just seems to make key plays when the Cowboys need it. He has a knack for getting open and catches the ball when he does.

What can you say about Keith Toston. 206 rushing yards, three touchdowns. And it is nothing new, the senior running back has done that all season, he’s been extremely consistent for the Cowboys. OSU is going to miss him next year, I think people take him for granted and some people won’t realize what OSU had in Toston until he’s gone.

One aspect the Cowboys can improve on is their kick returns. They just could seem to get in sync against the Cyclones and haven’t seemed as explosive in recent weeks.

Stat games:

Iowa State ran just 54 plays and OSU had the ball for 39:38 of the game.

OSU had 29 first downs and ran 78 plays.

Ugo Chinasa was solid with 2 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, one sack and one pass break up.

Once again, Pat Lavine was making plays. The senior had eight tackles, one interception, one sack. BY FAR the most overlooked playmaker on the entire team.

Every Cowboy who carried the football on Saturday had a run of at least 12 yards or more. That speaks to the dominance of the OSU offensive line.

Bottom Line: Now that the Cowboys have moved past the loss to Texas, it’s clear OSU is only focusing on what it can control. And if they play well in their final three games, a Cotton Bowl or maybe even Fiesta Bowl berth is within reason. So while they didn’t accomplish their goal of a Big 12 south title, there’s plenty to play for, plenty to look forward to.

by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com

This is another edition of Behind Enemy Lines with Iowa State beat writer Robert La Gesse of the Ames Tribune.

Brandon Chatmon: How will having Arnaud back help the ISU offense, what does he bring to the table that Tiller doesn’t?

Robert La Gesse: He brings experience, which can never be understated. The Cyclones have been a tick off in the passing game the last two weeks with Tiller at quarterback. The last time ISU had Arnaud for a whole game the offense put up 36 on Kansas.

BC: What makes the ISU rushing offense so good?

RLG: The offensive line and the vision of running back Alexander Robinson. The line has been together for a while and started to come around last year. This season it’s opened huge holes on a weekly basis.

Robinson sees holes develop before they do and is very good at setting up his blocks. If he can get a block he has enough speed to turn any play into a big gain.

BC: What is ISU’s biggest strength?

RLG: It’s the rushing game. Anytime Robinson touches the ball he could find the end zone. The rushing attack also allows ISU to run off large chunks of time when it has a lead in the second half.

BC: What is ISU’s biggest weakness?

RLG:  It’s lack of athleticism, especially on defense. Spread offenses expose the Cyclones’ lack of speed by forcing ISU to make plays in space.

BC: Who are some freshmen to keep an eye on?

RLG: The coaches love freshmen linebackers A.J. Klein and Jake Knott because of their football instincts. Both will see action on special teams and may see time at linebacker.

BC: What was more surprising the win over Nebraska or the blowout loss to A&M?

RLG: The win over Nebraska. ISU hadn’t won in Lincoln, Neb. since 1977 and was playing without its starting quarterback and running back. Very few teams will win a road game, let alone one in such a hostile environment, without its quarterback and running back.

BC: The Cyclones are good at forcing turnovers, what has been the key for them in that aspect?

RLG: Every chance they get the Cyclones look to force a turnover. On Saturday you’ll see the first defender secure the tackle and then the next few guys will try to strip the ball. ISU has gotten pretty good at that.

BC: Lastly, prediction? Why?

RLG: I would say Oklahoma State wins. I’ll say 38-24. ISU struggles against spread offenses and the Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the country.

OSU will be without Teeng Akol and Nick Sidorakis for a while.
Injuries suffered in recent practices will sideline Akol and Sidorkis for a month or more. And while neither played a major role a year ago, each had been drawing raves from Cowboys coach Travis Ford for their play in the preseason.
Both players were considered key reserves by Ford, who may now be forced to get freshmen ready to take on larger roles.
Akol, a 6-11 center, has a fracture in his right hand is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Sidorkis, a 6-4 guard, won’t need surgery to repair a patela tendon injury to his right knee, but will be out 6-8 weeks.

No freedom for Dez

By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com

So Dez is done.

Pretty sad, really, as the Cowboys have been robbed of one of the most dynamic players in program history. Seriously, Bryant was a rare talent, ranking in an elite club of former Cowboys who could dazzle us on the football field.

I think that we’ll be dazzled at the next level, too.

And now it’s on to the NFL for Bryant, according to his high school coach, John Outlaw, who reported to The Oklahoman that Dez was headed to Tampa to get himself ready for the combine.

As bad as this is for Dez — he really loved playing at OSU — the good news is his draft stock won’t take a hit because of his mis-step with the truth to the NCAA.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper ranks Bryant No. 10 on his big board; the No. 1 wide receiver overall. Kiper recently addressed Bryant’s situation, saying his college problem “won’t hurt his stock one bit.”

While Bryant lied and got caught in the act, that’s far from the kinds of things that create character concerns for prospects who dive down draft boards.

No drugs. No violance. No criminal record.

Bryant’s sin isn’t so much damning, as it is just plain stupid.

Kiper points out that it’s now up to Bryant to do the right things from here on (something former Cowboys wideout Adarius Bowman failed to do two years ago), to ensure that his transition to the pro game goes smoothly.

For Bryant’s sake, let’s hope he surrounds himself with people genuinely concerned about his future. As a kid who can be very immature at times, Dez needs guidance.

Here’s hoping he gets it, for his own future.

The number of available practice bodies had already increased at OSU, with seven newcomers beefing up the roster — a needed boost from a year ago.

Add two more players to the mix, with Travis Ford taking advantage of his walk-on tryout program for the second straight year.

In a near act of desperation a year ago, with his roster depleted, Ford pulled four walk-ons from a workout to help with practice and suit up on game days. One of the four, Edmond Memorial product Garrett Thomas, remains with the squad.

While not as needy this year, Ford still felt adding players could be a benefit to preparation. And with recent injuries to Teeng Akol and Nick Sidorakis, he’s surely pleased to have them.

So, on to the introductions:

From Broken Arrow High and Oklahoma City University, a 6-6 forward… Steven Cantrell!
And from Perkins, a 6-foot guard… Lee Ledford!

Cantrell actually played a bit part in OCU’s national title run in 2008, averaging 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds for a team that finished 31-7. He appeared in 20 games and started five, before leaving for regular-student status at OSU a year ago. Now he’s back.

Ledford, in his third year at OSU, averaged 15 points and seven rebounds as a prep senior.

Don’t expect to see much of Cantrell or Ledford, unless games get way out of hand. Still, they’re valuable additions to the daily grind of practices. Ford wouldn’t have them around if they didn’t offer something.

And there’s always the possible payoff, a moment in Gallagher-Iba Arena when the student section chants their names.

Or even better, a trip to the NCAA Tournament and memories of March Madness.

In this story on gocyclones.com, Bobby La Gesse writes about ISU’s offense finally getting healthy.

In this video, Cyclones Mike O’Connell and Darius Darks talk about facing the Cowboys:

And here are highlights of the Cyclones’ loss to Texas A&M last Saturday:

jhelsley@opubco.com

We’ve witnessed the growth of Perrish Cox.

The outside world is catching on, too.

Cox has elevated himself from great return man to great defender as a senior, putting in the work necessary to be considered one of the best in the college game.

And that’s exactly the view, with Cox making the semifinalist cut for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back and an award generated right here in Oklahoma City.

A first-team midseason All-American by SI.com, Cox leads the nation with 1.86 passes defended per game. And he’s defended some of the best, winning matchups with Georgia’s A.J. Green and Texas’ Jordan Shipley.

It’s what we expected of Cox when the Cowboys landed a much-hyped recruit out of Waco four years ago.  There were thrills, for sure, but mostly in the return game, where he’s simply electric every time he touches the ball.

As a defender, however, Cox was always viewed as a great athlete playing corner.

Not anymore.

Credit the kid for a realizing he had to grow up. On the field and off the field. In the video room and in the weight room. Away from the parties and the other distractions of college life.

He’s a lesson that it’s never too late to reach for your potential. And it’s paying off. And will continue to pay off.

According to a report in the Tuesday edition of Sporting News Today, Cox is “winning over doubters who had questions about his character. He is making big plays in ‘09 and making good impressions off the field. He could rocket up draft boards if the background checks continue to come in clean and he makes a good impression in formal interviews with G.M.s, coaches and personnel men this spring. He came into the season as a late-round gamble and ultimately could go in the third round.”

Cox denies A.J. Green

by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com

In this story by Randy Peterson in the Des Moines Register, Iowa State is excited about the payday that comes with playing on ABC.

And here’s a link to a chat with Peterson, which will give you a bit more insight into the Cyclones heading into Saturday’s game.

Last but not least, some highlights of Iowa State’s 9-7 win over Nebraska:

–What is there to say? Texas is talented, confident and full of playmakers.

–The OSU turnover bug returned against the Longhorns. You can’t turn the ball over five times and expect to win.

–It seemed like Texas speed on defense, especially in the secondary surprised Zac Robinson a little bit. The throwing windows closed quicker than he expected and the Longhorn secondary made play after play against OSU.

–Cowboys probably should have stick with the run a little more, especially early. They were having some success.

–Colt McCoy showed why he is considered among the nation’s best on the Longhorns final drive of the first half. He led his team on a 10-play, 80-yard drive in 2:09 seconds to boost Texas’ lead to 24-7. UT had three plays of 16 or more yards including a key 19-yard run on third down. They capped off the drive with a superb catch by Malcolm Williams for a 11-yard score.

–While I think OSU’s mental toughness is one of its strengths, they allowed the non-fumble call on Andre Sexton’s great play to affect them on that drive. The Longhorns converted two third downs and OSU had an unsportsmanlike penalty on that drive which ended in Williams’ TD.

–OSU’s defense didn’t play that badly. They allowed 275 yards including 99 rushing yards, held Shipley to 6 catches for 64 yards and held McCoy to 171 passing yards. True enough, Texas had two INT returns for scores which helped contribute to those numbers but it was still a decent effort.

–Neither team had much success running. Both squads averaged 3.1 yards per carry.

–Shocking stat: OSU averaged 3.9 yards per play. That’s not the explosive offense Cowboys fans have come to expect.

–Shocking stat Part II: Defensive backs led both teams in all-purpose yardage. Texas’ Curtis Brown had 77 on his INT for TD to lead Texas and OSU’s Perrish Cox had 118 kick and punt return yards.

–Texas had four interceptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

–UT was held sackless by OSU and the Pokes had two sacks (Jermiah Price, Lucien Antoine) and six tackles for loss.

–In the first half, the Cowboys had three possessions which lasted three minutes combined. Those possessions ended in a punt, turnover on downs and fumble.

–Missed opportunities was the name of the game in the first half. Hubert Anyiam’s drop, Dameron Fooks’ drop, two defensive penalties that proved to be key.

–It seemed like once OSU lost the momentum, things just got out of hand.