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Game Thoughts (Part 2)

tlwwake

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Oct 29, 2008
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Personality of a Team. It has always been said that teams take on the personality of their head coach. This team is definitely a Mike Gundy team. As we stopped TCU on a crucial 4th & goal, Boone Pickens Stadium erupted. The sideline leaped in unison as most felt the came had been sealed. Gundy did not reveal any emotion. He stood there as he anticipated the next play. He just emits a quiet confidence. As he walked off the field Saturday night, he gave a thumbs up as he knew this was huge, but there was still plenty of work to be done. The team has now taken on this approach more so than maybe any team in Gundy's 11 seasons at Oklahoma State. This team is focused & confident. They are focused on each day and each week. I love it. Gundy: “Last Saturday’s win over TCU was certainly a big one, but we have had a number of good, close wins this season. We have a challenge every week and Iowa State will be another one.”

Longest Active Win Streaks. Ohio State 22, Clemson 12, OKState 11

Revenge Tour. In 2014, we lost 5 straight games: TCU, WVU, Kansas St, Texas & Baylor. The revenge tour of 2015 is almost complete.

A Year Ago. We were coming off a bye week. We were 5-4 after getting dismantled (14-48) by Kansas State in Manhattan (before the bye). We were on a 3-game losing streak (11 ppg). Since then? 42.6 ppg during our 11-game win streak. What a juxtaposition from then to now.

Texas Schools. Since 2008, OKState is 29-8 vs teams from the state of Texas. That's impressive.

Ranked. Since 2008, OSU has been ranked in the AP poll in 73 of its last 98 games.

Statement Win.
This was such a big game for our program. It stacks right up there with some of the biggest wins in the Gundy era: Bedlam 2011, Fiesta Bowl, Baylor 2013, Bedlam 2014, etc. Scouts from Cowboys, Titans, Texans, Jags, Patriots, Raiders; reps from Sugar, Russell Athletic, Peach bowls were in the press box (per Bill Haisten). There were so many recruits at the game. We made a statement on national TV and really put on a great showing for Oklahoma State University. Proud to be a Cowboy!

So You’re Telling Me. ESPN’s FPI gave us a 1.5% chance to win the Big 12 before the season began. After our win this past weekend, they have us at 35% to win the Big 12; Baylor at 38%, OU at 18% and TCU at 9%.

65 Starts. That’s what we have lost with Ryan Simmons & Jimmy Bean.

James Washington. How good is he? 93% of his catches result in a 1st down or touchdown. Now that’s money.

JW & Tre on Washington. Tre Flowers. “I heard he went to like a 1-A school or something like that. I’m going to put my kids in as many sports as possible so they can end up as good as him (Washington).
JW Walsh: “I think his degree is in AG or something. He is a real blue-collar guy. I think he wants to be a farmer. He might be the best athlete on the team. He has a black belt...It’s unbelievable.”

Rudolph Home vs Away in 2015. At BPS: 69.0%, 13 TDs, 2 INTs Away: 60.9%, 4 TDs, 6 INTs.

3rd Down Efficiency. We were 2/11; 0/6 in the 2nd half. We must do better in this area.

Mike Yurcich. Another great game. He's been really, really good since Texas. How about the double reverse pass after the turnover? Talk about going for the jugular. Wish we would've completed it, but what a call. He's making $400k as our OC. We are now averaging 354.1 passing yards per game (8th nationally) and 44.0 points per game (6th nationally). I think he needs a raise; Lincoln Riley at OU is making $500k.

Unsung Hero. Trace Clark (in place of Jimmy Bean) had a very good game. In the 2nd quarter (9:37), we were up 21-9 and had them at 3rd & 15. Boykin avoids an a Ogbah sack and attempts to scramble back across the field to get a 1st down. Trace Clark chases him down and trips him before he can get the 1st down. That brings up a 4th & 3. They didn't convert (incomplete to Doctson). 3 plays later, Rudolph hits Ateman for a 82-yard TD. Huge, huge play by Trace Clark.

The Fumble. Our defense holds and forces TCU to punt (14-9 beginning of 2nd quarter). McClesky drops it with 2 TCU players right there. Luckily, we had a savvy veteren in David Glidden end up with the ball. Instead of giving TCU the ball on our 39, we got the ball back and go down and score to make it 21-9. What a huge play!!!

Defensive Speed. Usually, you'll see a big drop off between your 1's and 2's. Our coaches put an emphasis on defensive recruiting and it has paid off. We now have good depth on that side of the ball. On a particular play (5:55 remaining in the 1st), Boykin runs a QB draw. Middle is clogged up so he tries to bounce it outside. Brailford and Averette do an extremely good job of containing him and getting him down for a loss. Not only do we have great speed and talent in the 1's, but this defense has talent & speed on the 2nd team as well. Defense wins championships.

Jordan Burton. We have some very good LBers. #20 is getting better with each snap. TCU went 3 and out first drive. We then 3 and out after some missed blocks on 3rd and long. TCU has the ball back. After a holding penalty TCU has a 2nd & 8 from their 48. Boykin drops back and wants to hit Turpin on the sideline. Burton reads it perfectly and picks it off; a tremendous individual play and a huge play to take momentum away from the Frogs. 2nd & 4 with :05 left in the 3rd Burton sheds Turpin's block on the outside and then got the RB down for a 1-yard loss. Speed kills!

Tre Flowers. TCU has the ball back. Boykin pass out to Turpin for a 1st & 10 from the 44. Boykin tries to pass to #3, but Flowers jumps the route and picks it off. What a series of plays. TCU score, OKST answer, and then another Boykin interception. Tre on approach to TCU: "We want to confuse the QB. Coach Hammer gives us all kinds of reads." Tre on his development: "I work hard. Kevin (Peterson) and E-Man pushed me all spring."

Young Guns. The future is bright orange, ladies and gentlemen. We have young guys making plays everywhere. Sophomores or freshmen include: Mason Rudolph, James Washington, Tre Flowers, Chad Whitener, Jeff Carr, Jalen McClesky, Jordan Brailford, Jarrell Owens, Darrion Daniels, Vincent Taylor, Gyasi Akem, Zach Sinor, etc etc. Excited for the rest of this season and beyond!! The coaches have done a tremendous job of not only recruiting but also developing the players they bring in.

Weeden on Iowa St. “I'm not joking when I say that I still lose sleep over that game. That one still lights a fire in my stomach and is something we'll have to live with for the rest of our lives. I mean this with all my heart. Take it one at a time. Don't look ahead. Don't look back.” (Per DOK)

On to Ames.
Can't wait to see how this team responds after the big win last weekend. Is it Saturday yet? GO POKES!!!!
 
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