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.