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.

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.

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.

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.