Friday, December 30, 2011

All For Three, Three 4-0


With 1.4 seconds left, and a perfect record at stake, Kevin Durant took matters into his own hands; taking the inbounds and nailing the 3-point buzzer beater to keep Thunder's record intact at 4-0, while condemning the defending champion Dallas Mavericks to a 0-3 start.

It was only seconds earlier that Vince Carter had scored what surely seemed to be the game winner for Dallas.  His joy would only last 48 seconds however, before Durant snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.  Not bad at all, considering Durant's lapse on defense allowed Carter enough room to sink the 3-pointer.

The Mavericks roster may look a little different, but the same fighting spirit that propelled them their first ever league title seems to have stuck around.  They fought till the very end and would have been deserved winners had they managed to pull through.  Alas, it was not meant to be however.

Also returning to the floor after spending sometime on the side of a milk-carton was Russell Westbrook.  He finished with 16 points, some of them at a very crucial time, helping lift the team when it seemed like Dallas was about to run away with the game.

Westbrook suffered through a 0-13 night from the field the previous night against Memphis, and it didn't help matters either when his sideline spat with Durant was blown out of proportion.  All you could hear from all the armchair coaches and certain analysts were calls to trade the point-guard. 

Forgotten in all the hoopla was the fact Westbrook went 4-4 from the charity stripe, with 2 of those points helping seal the game against a Grizzlies' team that is certain to give OKC fits for a few seasons to come.

To hear the crowd chanting Westbrook's name was a much welcome relief, making his recent struggles seem like a thing of the past.

As a parting shot, I'll leave you with the Durant's buzzer beater for your enjoyment; stuff of legend.



Monday, November 21, 2011

Longhorns put the boot to Aggies in series finale.



The 118th meeting Texas and Texas A&M came down to the final seconds, as placekicker Justin Tucker connected on a 40 yard field goal to give the Longhorns a 27-25 victory in the series finale (at least for the foreseeable future).

The Aggies took a 13-0 lead early in the game, but it proved to be too much of a burden, as they imploded; blowing a double digit lead just as they had against Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas State.  Their 4 turnovers helped a Longhorn team depleted by injuries to stay in the game.

There was enough of the injury bug to go around, as the Aggies themselves were without Cyrus Gray, but as long as QB Ryan Tannehill was playing, you liked their chances of winning a little more.  Tannehill however, was responsible for 3 of those turnovers; one of his interceptions was returned for a touchdown by Carrington Byndom, while his other two interceptions were converted for scores on ensuing drives.

He was able to put together what appeared to be a game winning drive, when he found Jeff Fuller on a 16 yard touchdown pass to give the Aggies a 25-24 lead late in the game.  Given that the Longhorns had been unable to sustain a long meaningful drive, all the Aggies needed to do was hold fort, and they would hold the bragging rights until the next time these two adversaries met.

Instead, a "roughing the passer" penalty on Aggies safety Trent Hunter gave Texas free yardage, then Case McCoy - channeling the spirit of his brother, Colt - scrambled for 25 yards, after 3 straight completions, to put the his team in field goal position. 

Given the problems that a number of kickers have had this season, Justin Tucker ought to be considered a "national treasure".  When the moment was at hand, he delivered; just as he did in the 2009 Big 12 title game, when his converted kick from 46 yards out as time expired gave Texas a 13-12 win, punching their tickets to Pasadena to play for the national championship.  He should change his middle name to "Clutch".

Aggies had a case of the McCoys (pun intended)
Along with Tucker, McCoy also has to have his name etched in Longhorn folklore.  Just his older and much more decorated sibling had done during his career, and on that night in Arlington, TX, Case found a way to get it done.  If you're into the "weird coincidence" stuff, then here's something for you to mill about.

Both Case and Colt had their game winning drives aided by a key penalty; in Colt's situation, it was a 15 yard penalty for a "horse collar tackle" that was tacked on to a 19 yard completion to Jordan Shipley.  Both QBs led their team into field goal range of 40 yards or more, and it was Justin Tucker who punctuated both story lines.  So just like his brother, Case only needed to be great when it mattered most.

Along with their imminent move to the SEC, Texas A&M had hoped that the rivalry would continue on an annual basis, but Texas officials cited scheduling conflicts, leaving no room for the showdown in the immediate future.  This rivalry means a lot to the State of Texas (that's an understatement, but you get the point), and officials on both sides should have kept their egos in check, and done the right thing; save the rivalry

If Auburn and Alabama can find a way to "co-exist", then by George, these two schools could certainly do the same thing.  Instead, it is the fans who are now left in the cold, forced to adapt with the ever-rapidly changing landscape of college football.

For so long the "little brother", Aggies officials had grown tired of the moniker and always getting "slighted" by Texas.  This was their chance to "go out with a bang", and stick it to "big brother".  Instead, they leave the scene with both eyes blackened.

To quote the words of "Texas Fight", "... and it's goodbye to A&M".  And good luck too.





Friday, November 18, 2011

The Imperfect Storm



Oklahoma State took to the field with heavy hearts Friday night after they, and the rest of the nation, woke up to news of a single-engine airplane crash that had claimed the lives women's basketball coach Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna, his assistant.  The other two were victims were Olin and Paula Branstetter, a long-time married couple who were known as avid aviators.

A moment of silence was observed to honor both Kurt
Budke and Miranda Serna.
When all was said and done, the Cowboys - favored to win by 28 points - came out on the losing the end instead, falling 37-31 in double overtime to an Iowa State team that was 0-56-2 against teams ranked in the top six.  Jeff Woody's touchdown to clinch an epic victory created a cyclone (pun intended) whose impact not only ruined Oklahoma State's shot at the national title and Brandon Weeden's Heisman campaign, but will have far greater effects when the new BCS standings are released on Sunday evening.

The defense, which has been somewhat maligned for its "bend, but don't break" approach, was the reason that the Cowboys even had a fighting chance.  Shaun Lewis returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown to get the ball rolling, while Alex Elkins recovered a fumble to stop a scoring drive in the 3rd quarter.  Elkins also had an interception late in the game, leading to a field goal attempt by Quinn Sharp, which if successful, would have probably been the game winner.

Iowa State's offense followed a similar blueprint used by Cowboys' previous opponents.  They played "keep away" by holding the ball for 35 minutes, which resulted in them running more plays (101 to OSU's 76).  Even though they committed 3 turnovers, they still succeeded where others had failed, executing when it mattered most.

Quarterback Jared Barnett (pictured right), a redshirt freshman who was just making his third career start, played with the kind poise that is normally displayed by his counterpart on the opposite sideline.  Despite being responsible for all of his team's turnovers, he remained unfazed; throwing for 376 yards and consistently keeping plays alive using his scrambling ability.  He also gained 84 yards on 14 carries to lead the team in rushing.

If you had to judge by the way the Cyclones' defense, you would have never guessed that they statistically ranked among the worst units in the country.  Not only did they throw caution to the wind by committing to stop the run, but they sure made it count, forcing two fumbles off the sure-handed Joseph Randle.  That choice almost came back to bite them, as Weeden threw for 476 yards.

What the Cyclones lacked in a pass rush, they made up for by trying to deflect the ball every time Weeden was ready to throw it.  The resulted in tipped passes that were intercepted 3 times, including the all-important one by Ter'Ran Benton in second overtime.

Even though Justin Blackmon broke free for a 2nd quarter touchdown, defensive back Leonard Johnson managed to keep the All-American receiver in check.  Other receivers stepped up, but on a night when Weeden was misfiring, he would have preferred to have his his "go to" guy.

Oklahoma State have the next weekend off, as they join the rest of Cowboy Nation in grieving the loss of 4 family members.  At the beginning of the season, they Cowboys had set out to win the conference title, so that goal still remains intact. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Dallas foots the Bills


It was long overdue, but the Dallas Cowboys were finally able to play a complete game in a 44-7 rout of the Buffalo Bills. The offense scored on their first 4 possessions, and the defense had 4 turnovers, including a "pick 6" by Terence Newman to round up the scoring.

What makes this win even more satisfying is that it came against a credible Buffalo team that looked every bit of a playoff contender as the season began. Three times this season (Jets, Lions & Patriots) Dallas held a considerable lead against good teams, but still ended up on the losing end when all was said and done. The lack of a legit running game, the inability to stop the pass, and woe of woes, the turnovers, are the very reason why the Cowboys are sitting at 5-4, instead of a possible 9-0 or even 8-1.

Murray could be the key to a successful playoff run.
This time however, there would be none of that, as Dallas took the lead and wouldn't relinquish it.  The emergence of DeMarco Murray has given life to a running game that was ineffective when it mattered most.  Felix Jones, the starter prior to a shoulder injury, has previously excelled in the role of a "change of pace" back, using his speed to break big runs.  The success of such plays, however, relies on the kind of run-blocking that can't always be executed on every down. 

A team's ability to run the ball for those "tough yards" does not only close games, but it is critical especially late in the season when race for playoff spots starts to get heated.  And while I'm not questioning Jones' ability as an "every-down" back, it is clear that Murray is more suited to this role. 

The blueprint for Dallas' success in years past has always been a tough defense, and a reliable running game.  There's been some really good running backs that have donned the "star" on their helmets: Duane Thomas, Calvin Hill, Walt Garrison, Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, just to name a few.  The onus falls on Murray - who already owns the team record for most rushing yards in a single game - to carry on the tradition.

Tony Romo, who has always come under fire for his play during crunch moments, had a lot to smile about.  Other than a really good performance, it was the first time that he was fully healthy since the opening week.  He suffered a rib injury against San Francisco in the following week, but managed to play through the pain to aid a comeback that saw Dallas hand the Niners their only loss to date.

Another revelation has been receiver Laurent Robinson, who has stepped up to fill the shoes of an injured Miles Austin.  Robinson's reliability, and Murray's ability to catch out of the backfield, will only continue to open things up for Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.

Despite a considerable lack in depth, the Cowboys defense has played really well, and is the reason the team has even been able to compete in the tough games.  With the offense finally coming alive, their life should get a lot easier as most of their schedule consists of teams that have struggling offenses.

While there are no "gimme" games in the NFL, Dallas is in a great position to run the table, provided they can follow up this big win with similar complete performances.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Oregon capitalizes on Cardinal's bad Luck


Oregon beat Stanford 53-30 to take control of the Pac-12's North Division, while positioning themselves for a shot at a return trip to the national title game.

The Ducks, who had lost their season opener to LSU in Arlington, TX, stayed "under the radar" while Stanford and QB Andrew Luck - long anointed the #1 overall pick in the 2012 draft - climbed up the ladder.  Given their entertaining matchup last season, and with conference realignment, who ever won this matchup would be highly favored to take Pac-12 crown.

In 2009, Stanford stunned a high-flying Oregon team 51-42 on the strength of performances by Heisman Trophy finalist Toby Gerhart and Andrew Luck, a red-shirt freshman at the time.  The following year, the Cardinal jumped to a 21-3 first quarter lead, but scored only 10 points the rest of the way (none in the second half) as Oregon came out 52-31 winners, en route to the national championship game.

This time, it was Stanford who had more on the line, with a loss all but eliminating them from the national title discussion.  They had been tested on the road against USC a fortnight earlier, winning in triple overtime when the defense recovered a Curtis McNeal fumble that rolled into the endzone.

And just as they had been tested then, the Cardinals defense really had no answer for Oregon's "unconventional" offense.  Last year, LaMichael James burned them for 257 yards rushing and 3 TDs.  This time around, he ran for 146 yards and 3 TDs - bum elbow and all - while QB Darron Thomas looked like a Heisman candidate himself, throwing for 3 TDs on 11-17 passing.

Brandon Hanna's fumble recovery helped Oregon break
the game open in the 3rd quarter.
Oregon's defense doesn't seem to mind taking a back seat while the offense gets all the love.  Their fingerprints were all over this game, collecting 5 Cardinal turnovers, including an interception that Boseko Lokombo returned for a touchdown to seal the game; just in case Stanford was getting ideas of, y'know, a miracle comeback. 

Stanford runs a "conventional" offense, that relies multiple tight-end sets to complement a strong running game.  While the tight ends are reliable receivers, they can only present so much of a threat.  Stanford's legitimate receiving threat, Chris Owusu, had to sit out this game as a result of having suffered multiple concussions, the most recent against Oregon State.

Rub-a-Duck for Luck?
The Cardinal's "ball control" offense could not afford any margin for error if they were to succeed in keeping their counterparts on the sidelines.  And while they were able to stay within striking distance going into the interval, it was in the third quarter that things fell apart, as Oregon put their foot on the pedal and never looked back.

The next biggest casualty of Stanford's loss is QB Andrew Luck's race for the Heisman Trophy.  Luck, who has been unflappable for the most of the season, committed three turnovers - 2 INTs and lost fumble -, each of them resulting in touchdowns for the opposition.

Every player will have that occasional "off day", but given that nowadays, the preferred recipient for the Heisman Trophy is a quarterback or running back who's team is playing for the national championship, it becomes rather interesting to see just how far Luck will drop.

Since a national title is out of discussion (barring a miracle, and even THAT might not be enough), Stanford still remain on course for an "at-large" invite to a BCS bowl which, considering the payout and perks, isn't exactly a bad way to end the season.

For what it's worth, Luck will still probably have the last laugh come next April.

Orange Squeeze


Oklahoma State had gone 66 years before finally winning in Lubbock last year.  So just how odd was it, that in their first visit back, the Cowboys put "66" on the scoreboard against a Texas Tech team that has nose-dived since a massive upset win over Oklahoma 3 weeks ago.  

I'm sure there have been happier days before.
The Red Raiders scored more points in that game (41) than in their next three games combined (33), and have given up a total of 159 points in that same span.  In fact, had it not been for Cornelius Douglas' fumble return for a score, Texas Tech would have wound up scoreless; which I'm pretty sure hasn't happened in Lubbock. 

The Cowboys made light work of the Red Raiders, scoring just about every time they touched the ball in the first half.  It also didn't hurt that Texas Tech was intent on shooting themselves in the foot; something that the Cowboys defense appreciated, considering that they didn't have to spend almost 40 minutes on the field.  Still, the defense recorded 3 takeaways, each of which was converted for a touchdown.

Joseph Randle had 3 rushing scores to bring his season tally to 21 TD, trailing Wisconsin's Monte Ball (23 TDs), and Justin Blackmon got to pad his stats as well; but a person making a "Heisman statement" was Brandon Weeden who went 31-37 for 423 yards and 5 TDs. 

Weeden became the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes, and is 3 scores short of matching his totals for last season.  Throughout the season, he has slowly built his resume which will receive a massive boost should the Cowboys beat Oklahoma in their season finale. 

Next up for the Cowboys is Iowa State on Friday night.  The Cyclones are on a 2 game win streak, but I doubt they'll be able to match the Cowboys' firepower.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Cowboys prevail in a "Cat and Mouse" thriller.


It may not have had the "Game of the Century" hype, but Oklahoma State vs Kansas State was where all the action was; delivering all the excitement that one could possibly ask for.

The Cowboys won 52-45, but it wasn't until K-State QB Collin Klein's pass to Tramaine Thompson in the end zone fell incomplete that they could truly get the celebration going.  A game that looked like another rout for the Pokes early on, turned in a "cat and mouse" affair, especially in the last 5 minutes which saw a total of 29 points scored between both teams.

The Breakdown.

Offense:
Weeden bounced back from 2 early turnovers to register
a career passing day.
The Cowboys seemed to be on a roll, but it was their 4 turnovers that kept the Wildcats in the game.  Justin Blackmon muffed a punt early, and lost a fumble near the goal-line later on, while Brandon Weeden threw 2 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, rounding off a 24 point run for K-State.

Other than that, there wasn't really much the Wildcats could do to stop Weeden from hitting them up for 502 yards (a school single-game record); this only a week after getting torched by Oklahoma's Landry Jones for 505 yards (a school single-game record for OU).  With his offensive line giving him all the time in the world to execute, Weeden was literally playing armchair quarterback; picking off a secondary that not only played soft coverage, but hardly covered the middle of the field despite getting burned for big plays all game long.

Blackmon more than atoned for his costly fumbles with a 54 yard TD reception late in the game, but the rest of the receiving corp deserves some credit as well.  Tracy Moore, Isaiah Anderson and Josh Stewart combined for 15 receptions, causing more problems for an already weak secondary.

There wasn't much production from the running game, as Joseph Randle only managed 73 yards on 16 carries.  He still had three touchdowns, the last one giving his team the lead for good.  With the kind of success the Cowboys had in the passing game, Randle only had to be at his best when needed to.

Defense:
Klein gave the Cowboys more than they could handle.
A recovered fumble on K-State's opening possession helped the Cowboys take a 7-0 lead, and a James Thomas interception resulted in another touchdown to bring the score even at 24.  Unlike most teams however, the Wildcats would just not go away.

Collin Klein, who was held to 58 yards passing against Oklahoma the previous week, passed for a season-high 231 yards.  His improved passing enabled the Wildcats to mix the pass and run effectively, and play "keep away" by holding the ball for a little over 40 minutes.

While they Cowboys weren't able to force as many turnovers, a few stops here and there helped them stay ahead of a pesky Wildcat team determined to bounce back after getting routed in their previous outing.

Overall:
The Cowboys haven't been 9-0 since 1945, when they won the Sugar Bowl under the guidance of Jim Lookabaugh.  With only 3 games left in the season, they've positioned themselves for a BCS bowl invitation at the very least.  Anything more than that is literally "in their own hands".

Next up:
Oklahoma State travels to face a Texas Tech that's been routed in its last 2 games, and has lost 4 of their last 5 overall.  Lubbock hasn't always been kind to the Cowboys, but they were able to win there last year, and should probably do the same on this visit.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

College Football Week 9: Hot, Not & Really?

After week 9 of College Football, I'm working on introducing a new segment called "Hot, Not & Really"; which rather speaks for itself.  Hopefully this can be a continuing theme as the season goes on.  Without further ado, let's get to it.


WHO'S HOT:


Case Keenum: The Cougars signal caller threw for 534 yards and 9 touchdowns (NINE!!) against city rival Rice.  Keenum is the NCAA's all time leader in TD passes, and should soon be the all time leader in passing yards as well.  More importantly, Houston stayed undefeated.


Oklahoma State's Defense: This unit may have surrendered a lot of yards, but lead the nation in turnover margin.  They've now forced 12 turnovers in their last 3 games; I'd have included the 4 against Kansas, but that wasn't much of a contest.


Oklahoma Sooners: It might seem too soon, but the turnaround is hard to overlook.  After getting embarrassed in a loss to Texas Tech, the Sooners bounced back to crush the previously unbeaten Kansas State; completely dominating both sides of the ball.  They've earned it.


Ohio State Buckeyes: After an off-season they would rather forget, the Buckeyes are making the most of this season.  They blew a 21-point lead in a loss to Nebraska, but responded by handing Illinois their first loss, then soiled any BCS hopes that Wisconsin had, courtesy of QB Braxton Miller's late game heroics.


Nebraska Cornhuskers: The Big Red machine are currently riding a 3 game winning streak, after receiving a rude awakening in their Big Ten opener against Wisconsin.  Their latest antics involved a dominant performance against Michigan State, leaving both teams tied for 1st place (along with Michigan) in their respective division.


Oregon Ducks: They've reeled off 7 straight wins in dominant fashion.  Doesn't matter what they wear, or how they wear it, they just wear opponents out.


WHO'S NOT:


Wisconsin Badgers: Playing within the confines of Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers carved out a 6-0 start, and were in the running for a national title.  Then came the next 2 games out of state, and after a couple of "hail marys", they're all but out for not only the national title, but the conference title as well.


Texas A&M Aggies: A 38-31 loss to Mizzou marked the 3rd time that the Aggies held a double digit lead (they led 28-17), only to lose the game.  This was a team that most people thought would factor in the national title discussion.


Clemson Tigers: They started off their season by defeating 3 ranked opponents - including defending champ Auburn - and seemed to control their own destiny as far as the national title was concerned.  The Tigers were done in by their inability to stop Georgia Tech's "triple option" attack.


Kansas Jayhawks: They're riding a 6 game losing streak and easily boast the worst defense in all of college football.  In their last outing against Texas, the Jayhawks could only manage 46 total yards (!!!).  I could go on, but there's no fun in flogging a dead horse.


Colorado Buffaloes: They're 1-8 (0-5 in conference).  Can someone please remind me why they moved to the Pac-12?


REALLY?


Tommy Tuberville followed up a signature win
with an embarrassing loss.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Coming off consecutive losses, the Red Raiders put on a clinic in an upset win over Oklahoma.  Just when you thought that they were finally on track, they lay an egg against Iowa State.  Did I mention that this game was in Lubbock?  In a weird twist of irony, they trailed 24-7 at the half, and conceded 41 total points; a complete reverse from the previous week when they led 24-7 at the interval, and scored 41 points.


Marquel Wade, Arkansas: The Razorback wide receiver delivered "The Cheap Shot Heard Around The World" while covering a punt that was about to be fielded by Vanderbilt's Jonathan Krause.  Wade arrived early and put a hit on Krause before he could even field the ball.  Wade was subsequently ejected from the game, and is suspended for the game against #9 South Carolina.  He has since issued an apology, and you can expect him to have learnt from this episode.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Bear down!!


In a match that had been billed as an offensive shootout, it was Oklahoma State who came out "pistols firing" in a 59-24 rout of the Baylor Bears; a performance that pretty much mirrored last year's "showdown" between these two teams.

Last November, both schools came into the game tied atop the Big 12 South standings.  The Cowboys jumped to 34-0 lead en route to a comfortable 55-28 win.  This time, the Cowboys ended the contest early, leading 35-0 lead at halftime, and were up 42-0 before Baylor got on the scoreboard.

Just like last year, it was the Cowboy's defense shutting down a potent Baylor offense, while the offense just kept rolling.

Let's proceed to The Breakdown, shall we?

Offense

In a match-up between an offense that scores a lot of points, and a defense that gives up a lot of points, the outcome will more than likely be in favor of said offense.  Such was the case as the Bears defense struggled to keep up with the Cowboys.


Justin Blackmon was back to his dominant self, catching 13 passes for 172 yards and 2 TDs, while Joseph Randle followed up last week's performance against Mizzou with yet another 4 TD performance.  Brandon Weeden's numbers may not have been "flashy", but the Pokes had only 2 scoring drives that required 10 or more plays; so it was a case of Weeden being at his efficient best.

Fans also got a preview into the future, when running back Herschel Sims took a hand-off and raced 81 yards for a score.  Sims was a highly touted prospect out of high school, but is having to wait his turn behind Randle and Jeremy Smith; just a little thing called "paying your dues".  From the looks of it, the tradition of good tailbacks in Stillwater will continue.


Defense


An 8-0 start is surely a cause for celebration for both
Markelle Martin and the Cowboy Nation.
Baylor's opening drive stalled at the 1 yard line when the Cowboys mounted a goal-line stand, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon.  By the time the Bears finally crossed the line, the game was no longer a contest.


The Bears controlled the clock, ran more offensive plays and even racked up more yardage than their opponents, but just couldn't score.  Maybe it was me, but the Bears seemed to be allergic towards Oklahoma State's end zone; turning over the ball three times (on downs, an interception and a lost fumble).

The Cowboys defense has a little "Jekyll and Hyde" theme going on this season.  They rank very low in terms of yards given up, yet they lead the nation in turnover margin; bend but don't break.  They might bend, but they snap back with a vengeance.


They forced 5 turnovers (2 INTS and 3 fumble recoveries) along with 2 "4th down" stops, resulting in change of possession; that might as well bring up the tally to 7 turnovers.  They also sacked Bears QB Robert Griffith III twice, severely limiting his ability to impact the game with his feet (RG3 could only muster 27 yards on 16 carries).


Overall


Once again, Oklahoma State managed to turn a "potential shootout" into a blowout thanks to yet another solid defensive effort.  Not that Baylor is a bad team; in fact the Bears are in the midst of some of the best seasons in years, but the Cowboys were just too much to handle.


Next up


Oklahoma State will be at home at against Kansas State in a prime time match up.  The Wildcats unbeaten run came to a cruel halt against Oklahoma, who exposed their inability to defend the pass; something that should bode well for the Cowboys.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Too hot to Randle.

Oklahoma State beat Missouri 45-24 on the strength of a superb defensive performance as well as 4 touchdowns from running back Joseph Randle.


With the game slated for an early kickoff, some experts penciled this game as an "upset alert" given that Faurot Field can be a tough place to play.  Others speculated that it would be hard for the Cowboys to get on track having to play that early; leading me to question how many of these guys were still up when a rain delay pushed the Oklahoma State vs Tulsa kickoff to 12:15 am.


Without further ado, let's get to the breakdown of this game. 


Offense


No Blackmon?  No Problem; at least for the most part.  Justin Blackmon caught a touchdown pass to give the Pokes a 14-3 lead in the 1st quarter, but left the game after sustaining a shoulder injury.  Brandon Weeden was able to distribute the ball well, completing passes to 8 other receivers.  Tracy Moore and Michael Harrison (1 TD & a team high 71 yards receiving) were just among those who stepped up to pick up the tab.


Honors go to Joseph Randle, though.  With the game still in contention, he broke a 59 yard TD run to give the Cowboys a 21 point lead.  His third touchdown was just the icing on the cake of a game that was pretty much over.  Much like his counterpart Jeremy Smith did last week, it was Randle's turn to answer the bell, and did he ever, helping to spark an offense that was somewhat flat.


Defense


The Cowboys D rustled Franklin
The Cowboys defensive unit didn't have to spend about 40 minutes on the field this time, but they still put in a great effort.  Despite giving up 248 yards on the ground, they weren't challenged as much through the air thanks to the relentless pressure they put on Tigers QB James Franklin.


Franklin, one of the best dual threat QBs in the country, was limited to 184 yards passing, and 55 yards rushing but committed 4 turnovers; including one (a fumble) at the Cowboys goal line when Mizzou had a chance to pull within 7 points.  The Cowboys converted that turnover for a touchdown; just one of three turnovers that provided the 21 points that they scored in the second half.


Overall


Oklahoma State found a way to win, just like it seemed the momentum was getting away from them.  Someone has stepped on either side of the ball, and this has been the recurring them in their last 3 road games (this one included).  It's a testament to the team's resolve, which will continue to be tested, as 3 of their last 4 opponents will be ranked teams.


Special mention: "The Shout Outs"


The Cowboys defense have now forced 7 turnovers in their last 2 games.  Jamie Blatnick had a forced fumble as well as 2 tipped passes that resulted in interceptions by Shaun Lewis and Richetti Jones.  Lewis also recovered a red zone fumble (forced by Wilson Youman) closing the door on a scoring opportunity for Mizzou.


Joseph Randle ran to rescue - literally -, scoring the Cowboys' last 4 touchdowns (he had a TD reception in the first half).  His final total was 138 yards rushing on 14 carries, and 13 yards on 1 reception.


Next up:


The Cowboys head back home and prepare for an afternoon kickoff against Baylor; a team they routed 55-28 last year, despite all the pre-game hype.  Despite the phenom that is Robert Griffith III (RG3), Oklahoma State should be able to come away with the win, on the strength of having a better defense than the Bears.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Smith paces Cowboys win over Texas.


Oklahoma State had yet to win consecutive games against Texas since the formation of the Big 12.  Mack Brown had yet to lose a game the weekend after the Red River Rivalry.  On Saturday, something had to give, and it was Oklahoma State who came out on top, with a 38-26 win to extend its winning streak in the series to 2 games.


Last year, the Cowboys halted a 12 game skid against Texas with a 33-16 in win Austin, marking the first time since 1944 that they had left town with a win.  At the time, the Cowboys were on the rise, while the Longhorns were in free-fall; only a season removed from playing for a national championship.


After getting torched by Oklahoma QB Landry Jones the previous week, the Longhorns secondary had their work cut out for them; having to face a high-octane offense led by 1st team All-Conference QB (Brandon Weeden) and Biletnikoff Award Winner (Justin Blackmon).  The outlook did not seem very good.


Texas opted to play "keep away" by running the football, knowing that it would be impossible to match the Cowboys' firepower.  On paper, the strategy seemed to work rather well, with the Longhorns holding the ball for close to 40 minutes.  However, the lack of a legit passing game, 3 turnovers and the offense getting turned back at crucial times, proved too much to overcome.


With the Texas offense struggling earlier in the season, seemingly a carryover from last year, Mack Brown pulled starting QB Garrett Gilbert in favor of a rotation between Case McCoy and David Ash at the position.  The move rejuvenated the Longhorns offense, but it all came undone at the hands of Oklahoma, with both QBs struggling against a much superior defense.


The Cowboys defense harassed Ash all afternoon
There was a lot of speculation as to whether Brown would keep the rotation, or just stick to one player.  Ash got the nod ahead of his counterpart, who many a Longhorn faithful see as a carbon-copy of his more famous sibling, Colt.  There's no denying that Ash is talented, and while he played like that at times, he was clearly overwhelmed by the Cowboy defense.


The Cowboys' offense spent quite some time on the sidelines, and it wasn't hard to see why they were out of rhythm whenever they got back on.  Brandon Weeden had a rather off day, but still managed to connect with Justin Blackmon for the Pokes only passing TD; breaking a 7-7 tie.


They were able to stay ahead of the Longhorns thanks to 2 big TD runs by Jeremy Smith (30 & 74 yards, respectively), when the game seemed rather too close for comfort.  Smith's first score came only a few minutes before half-time with the Cowboys only ahead by 4; while his second one gave his team an insurmountable 14 point lead.


Normally brought in for short yardage duty as well as goal line situations, Smith was able to showcase not just strength but speed as well, leaving the Longhorn defenders in his wake on both scores.  A highly rated prospect out of powerhouse Tulsa Union, he may be behind Joseph Randle on the depth chart, but is still very valuable when it comes to helping moving the chains.  Smith tallied 140 yards on only 7 carries, to earn game MVP honors (in my book at least).


Defensively, you'd have to commend the Cowboys for their effort; given that they were on the field for what seemed like an eternity.  Despite a few close calls, they kept the Longhorns at bay getting stops when it mattered.  All that being said, they still get a pie in the face after falling victim the infamous Statue of Liberty play that propelled Boise State to an unlikely Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma.  Cowboy fans can no longer "poke" fun at OU fans (it's the best I could come up with) regarding that play.


The performance might have been below par - I'm sure the Cowboys were expecting to play a lot better - but there's a lot of good things to take away from this win.  The offense was effective in generating points given their limited possession, while the defense held their end of the bargain.  


Jeremy Smith and Justin Gilbert (kickoff return for a TD) provided 3 pivotal plays that ensured the Cowboys stay undefeated ahead of their showdown against Mizzou.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Red River Rout.


Prior to the season kickoff, many people speculated that this year's version of the Red River Rivalry would be a mismatch in favor of Oklahoma, who at the time were ranked #1.  


Despite the fact that Texas managed to generate some positive buzz going into the game, casting some doubt on earlier predictions, Oklahoma ran riot in a 55-17 win.  A few things still held true; the game was a mismatch after all, and the Longhorns aren't really that much improved from last season's 5-7 debacle.

Jones had a school record 17th career 300yd passing game
Landry Jones passed for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns; all before halftime.  With the Sooner offense matched up against a young and inexperienced Longhorn secondary, there could really only be one outcome.  


Jones has come a long way since that October day when he had to replace (yet again) Sam Bradford, who re-injured his throwing shoulder following a hit on a blitz by Texas corner Aaron Williams; it was to be Bradford's last ever play for Oklahoma.  


Playing behind a patchwork offensive line and no running game (the Sooners racked up negative yardage), the weight of delivering a victory were placed upon Jones' shoulder.  Even though he had seen some significant playing time, the Longhorns were a whole different monster.  Jones showed occasional flashes of brilliance, but threw 2 costly interceptions late when the game was still within reach for the Sooners.

Flemming returning one of the Sooners 3 defensive TDs
And while the offense will get the credit that's due them, it was the Sooners' defense that had their fingerprints all over this one.  Turning in yet another fine performance - and probably their best in the season yet - the Sooners raked in 8 QB sacks, 15 tackles for lost yardage and 5 turnovers (3 INTs and 2 fumble recoveries); 3 of which were returned for touchdowns.

Besides putting constant pressure on Longhorn QBs Case McCoy and David Ash, the Sooners showed a lot of discipline by staying on their defensive assignments.  Texas tried to run a couple of gadget plays that seemed worked wonders against teams like BYU and Iowa State, but the Sooners weren't taking any mess.

Texas seemed to get a little momentum going when Foswhitt Whittaker returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to cut the margin 27-10.  Oklahoma snatched it right back though, marching 83 yards in 7 plays ending with a Kenny Stills 14 yard touchdown reception.


Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills played brilliantly, but a worthy mention goes to Jazz Reynolds who finished with 92 yards on 6 receptions.  Reynolds came through making a big catch for a 1st down when it was "3rd & 25".  Jones found Broyles in the end zone a few plays later. 


For those of you who may not remember, Reynolds was dismissed from the team days leading up to this very fixture last year for improper conduct (I'm only putting it lightly).  Given another opportunity, he's definitely making the most it.


Whaley had 117 total yards & 1 TD
The next item up for discussion: what more does Dominique Whaley have to do in order to get a scholarship?  The man appeared from nowhere and has taken the Sooner nation by storm.  He had a game-high 83 yards rushing, most of it coming on a 64 yard sprint.  FOX announcer Gus Johnson has been campaigning hard for Whaley to get a scholarship, and I'm sure he echoes the sentiments of many fans.  I think Whaley has surely paid his dues.


Up next for Oklahoma is a trip to Lawrence to face a Kansas team that is fresh off a 70-28 mauling at the hands of Oklahoma State.  The Jayhawks defense is ranked next to last nationally, and you can understand why most people will be predicting another blowout win for the Sooners.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

An open letter to Mr. Corso


Dear Lee Corso,
I know you tend to get carried away sometimes, seeing that you're an old man and all, and when it comes to "head gear" time, you sometimes like to get a certain section of the crowd all hyped up, only to pick their opponent.  


I'm sure you'll like certain things about both Texas and OU, and you may be tempted to pick OU; but NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND!!  If you have a heart and decent bone in your body, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT PICK OU!!  


You picked OU to win 2008 and they lost.  Last year against Mizzou, you picked OU to win, and they lost; AGAIN!!  Then later in the year in Bedlam, you picked Oklahoma State, and OU won.  


In previous Red River Games, you picked Texas to win, only for OU to walk away victorious.  On behalf of Oklahoma fans, I'm sure that we would love it no other way.


So you see Mr. Corso, something wicked this way comes whenever you pick the Sooners.  So I'm beggin' you, DO NOT PICK OU to win.  Hope that you'll comply. 


sincerely,
Karma.

Wales through to World Cup Semis.


Wales became the first team to book a place in the semi-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, courtesy of a 22-10 win over Ireland in the quarters.


The Welsh got off to a flying start, with Shane Williams diving in at the right corner to open their scoring account.  They took advantage of some well timed breaks to extend the lead, with Mike Philips diving in at the left corner only 5 minutes after the restart to break a 10-10 tie, and Jonathan Davies touching down at the 63rd minute to help put the game beyond reach.


Ireland had their chances to reduce the margin early in the game, but opted to play for field position despite having a reliable kicker in Ronan O'Gara.  They did however make the game a little competitive when Keith Earls scored on the left corner, and O'Gara duly converted to bring the honors even minutes before halftime.


The going got tough for Stephen Ferris and Ireland.
However, the Irish continued to self destruct in the second half, conceding wave after wave of penalties, and turning over the ball did not help either.  Twice, Ireland were given a lifeline when Welsh goal attempts bounced off the uprights.  The Welsh defense held firm, sealing the win and their first semi-final appearance since the inaugural tournament in 1987 (ironically co-hosted by New Zealand).


Ireland is the only country from the "home nations" that has yet to qualify for the semis.  They came very close in 1991 when they lead Australia (eventual tournament champions) 18-15 after a Gordon Hamilton try with minutes remaining, only to see Wallaby Fly-half Michael Lynagh score a last gasp try to steal the win.  


They suffered further embarrassment in 1999 and 2007 - failing to make the quarterfinals - losing to Argentina on both occasions.  In another cruel twist of irony, both games were played in France.


A tournament that held so much promise, especially following their stunning 15-6 upset over Australia, leaves yet another empty feeling for the Irish.  Even at their best, their effort was just simply not enough.


Wales will now await France in the next stage.  It will be interesting to see if they'll have enough defense left in them to counter the French flair.