Ride to Victory: The Journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1895

RIDE TO

VICTORY The Journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys Officially licensed by Oklahoma State University

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WEEK

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Texas A&M

Photo by Adam Kemp Ride to victory: The journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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Slater’s Selections OSU running game vs. Texas A&M front seven

Photo by KT King

E dge

Joseph Randle has been tremendous to start the season with 378 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. But those gaudy stats didn’t come against a stout front seven like Texas A&M has. Earlier in the week, Randle called it the biggest game of his career, and he’s right. If the Aggies’ game plan is to stop the pass, which is likely, this game may hinge on the legs of Randle. It is an important test for one of the nation’s rising stars.

OSU passing game vs. Texas A&M secondary

Photo by KT King

When he sits in the pocket, Brandon Weeden is as lethal as any quarterback. He picks apart defenses and runs up the score. But during the rare times he gets pressured, Weeden has shown a tendency for shaky decisions, and that could become a problem for OSU on Saturday. Using a variety of blitz packages, Texas A&M leads the nation with 5.5 sacks per game. To win, the Cowboys must avoid rushed decisions and game-changing turnovers.

Texas A&M running game vs. OSU front seven

Photo by Kylie McMains

In their first two games, the Cowboys gave up 149 rushing yards combined. But last week alone, Tulsa went for 365 yards on the ground. Is that just a bloated stat due to fatigue, or will this become a developing trend? This weekend will be a good barometer, because OSU has to face one of the most talented duos in the nation, running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray. We should know a lot more about this front seven after this game.

Texas A&M passing game vs. OSU secondary

Photo by KT King

Former A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson came to Stillwater last year, turned the ball over five times and was never heard from again. Replacing him was Ryan Tannehill, one of Johnson’s former receivers.

Immediately, Tannehill sparked a resurgence that has carried into 2011. He’s been good through two games but is still untested when it comes to pressure situations.

His performance will be a huge factor.

Overall

Photo by Adam Kemp

Week 4 - TEXAS A&M VS OSU

It’s hard to judge a team until you have seen it play against opponents with a similar talent level. Until this point, neither team has been tested. That’s what makes this one so hard to pick. I could see it going either way, and wouldn’t be surprised if it comes down to the last possession. I think it comes down to protecting Weeden.

If he has time, OSU’s offense will be too much. If he gets rushed, the A&M defense could capitalize on costly mistakes. When in doubt, go with home field.

P rediction

41-38

osu IN NEED OF a Defining win

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Photo by KT King

By Anthony Slater

Published September 23, 2011

Look through the 2010 schedule and try to identify Oklahoma State’s biggest win. There was a program-record 11 of them, but none were program changers.

What about the Thursday night thriller over A&M? At the time, it was an unranked team led by a self-destructing quarterback.

How about the Alamo Bowl win over Arizona?

Impressive feat, but it’s become clear that OSU is in a different class than the Wildcats.

Really, the best win might have been at home against Baylor. That 55-28 dismantling was the only win the Cowboys had over a ranked opponent in 2010.

And you might remember that they did have two other chances: Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Both at home. Both losses.

“I think about those two (losses) all the time,”

Brandon Weeden said. “When I decided to come back, those were the two that really stuck out.”

And they stick in Weeden’s mind for all the wrong reasons.

Each time, the Cowboys had a chance to make a statement, get a signature win and catapult into the national championship discussion. And each time they were swatted away, sent back to the group of solid programs, not yet able to consider themselves elite.

At A&M, OSU will get another shot.

Cowboy fans have been clamoring for more national exposure, more attention from national columnists and more respect from across the country.

Going on the road into an extremely hostile environment and taking out a top-10 team -- that’s where you earn it. That’s where you become a top-tier team.

Ride to victory: The journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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AN IMPOSSIBLE RECOVERY

Photo by KT King

By Anthony Slater

Published September 21, 2011

Coaches still remember the practice. Without hesitation, players can recall the exact play. For those on the field that day, it was hard to forget the sound.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden handed the ball off and couldn’t even carry out his progression.

“I heard the scream and you knew it was bad,” Weeden said. “That was one of the worst sounds I’ve heard in my life.”

Fullback Kye Staley lay on the field, unable to get up. His season, and likely his football career, was in serious jeopardy.

“I knew something was wrong,” Staley said.

“And I just started crying.”

AN INFAMOUS PRACTICE Fall camp was winding down, classes would began on Monday and the Cowboys were about to play their final scrimmage.

Newly-renovated Boone Pickens Stadium was being prepped for a nationally televised game

Week 4 - TEXAS A&M VS OSU

between OSU and Georgia. The 2009 football season was just two weeks away.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant had captured national attention. Quarterback Zac Robinson was featured on an upcoming Sports Illustrated cover.

So the Saturday scrimmage didn’t mean much to these established stars; just another day under the hot Oklahoma sun.

But for some players, it was an important chance to make an impression.

Like running back Kye Staley, a big-time recruit from nearby Guthrie.

The five-star Under Armour All-American was looked at by top schools such as LSU and Oklahoma, but chose to play in Stillwater.

After redshirting his first season, Staley was ready to live up to the hype.

“I was in the best shape of my life,” Staley said. “A solid 215 (pounds), strong and ready to go.”

And it showed. After an impressive spring game, Staley was turning heads with a great fall camp.

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He planned to cap it off in the final scrimmage. Another opportunity to show coaches he was ready to split time behind starting tailback Kendall Hunter.

“It was a hot day, and I was doing a lot of special teams too,” Staley said. “I was pretty worn out and Coach asked me if I wanted Travis Miller, another back, to go in and I said, ‘No.’ Even though I was pretty tired, I wanted to show them I could fight through.”

So Staley jogged out to the huddle, and thirdstring quarterback Brandon Weeden made the call – a 4-14 stretch play to the right.

“I tried to make a back shoulder cut on a linebacker (Patrick Lavine) and he grabbed me and twisted me around,” Staley said. “As I was being turned, (defensive tackle) Chris Donaldson hit me low and everything just tore.”

It was over in an instant. Thoughts of a breakout season turned to questions about whether he would walk correctly again.

The once-promising star got the MRI results from his right leg – torn MCL, PCL, meniscus, hamstring and calf muscle, as well as nerve damage.

“It was about as significant a knee injury as you can find,” coach Mike Gundy said. “I thought it was 100 percent chance he would never be back.”

A LONG ROAD AHEAD Sunlight peaked through the blinds and voices rumbled through the dormitory hallways.

Classes were back in session, students had flooded the campus and the energy around Stillwater had picked up.

It was the dream scenario for someone who just turned 19. But Kye Staley could barely get out of bed.

Tasks that were once simple now put a heavy burden on the imposing athlete and his surgicallyrepaired knee.

“I couldn’t even walk to the fridge and get myself a drink,” Staley said. “It was tough because my mom raised me to be an independent person, but I had to rely on other people for almost everything.”

His leg remained in a cast for nearly two months.

Navigating around campus on crutches became a burden, so the school allowed him to take online classes. It didn’t matter; not with the mindset he had.

“I just failed everything. I honestly didn’t care,” Staley said. “My attitude was so crappy, and I was so mad. I broke down almost every day.”

Photo by Kylie McMains

REFUSING TO GIVE UP The cast was finally removed and the toughest part of Staley’s recovery process began.

The training room became his new home. John Stemm, the director of athletic training, became his new best friend – and worst enemy.

“That guy put me through more pain than anyone,” Staley said. “I always said the first time I’m able to walk, the first thing I’m going to do is kick John Stemm’s ass.”

But the rigorous rehabilitation program worked and Staley’s right leg became functional quicker than expected.

“It was a grind,” Stemm said. “But he was very compliant with his rehab and very compliant with his strength training and he felt like he could give it a shot.”

So Staley returned before the 2010 season, determined to help the team in any capacity. He even tried out linebacker, but his knee just wasn’t healed enough.

Staley struggled with the reality of his situation.

Even if he could somehow make it back, he would never be the player he once was.

“I wasn’t feeling like anyone was confident in my ability to come back and play,” Staley said.

“And that kind of took away my confidence. I felt like I was just wasting their time.”

Ride to victory: The journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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Photo by Rick Smith

Despite remaining around the team, Staley decided to stop playing. He needed some time away from the game.

“I started to realize football wasn’t everything,” Staley said. “It gave me a fresh outlook on everything.”

But he couldn’t stay away. After the Cowboys’ 36-10 Alamo Bowl win over Arizona, Staley told Gundy he wanted another shot.

By the time the first depth chart was released, Staley had earned Gundy’s trust enough to be slotted as the starting fullback.

“We told him he couldn’t play,” Gundy said, “and he kept telling us he could.”

A MIRACULOUS COMEBACK Ever since that 2009 fall scrimmage, their lives have taken opposite paths.

Then, Weeden was a journeyman quarterback floating through college as the third-string. Now, he’s the star QB for a national contender.

For Staley, being on the field is a miracle. He

Week 4 - TEXAS A&M VS OSU

went from a promising young running back with elusive speed to a blocking fullback with a clunky knee brace, but Staley won’t complain.

‘WAITING ... SO LONG’ Early in the third quarter, OSU led Arizona 21-0 in a nationally televised Thursday night game.

Staley found himself in the same huddle and back on the same field where his life was forever changed. Once again, he listens to another Weeden playcall – the 23-special.

“I thought, ‘Oh yeah, this is my time,’” Staley said. “I was hoping no one was there so I could maybe bust loose.”

Staley made the catch, turned up field and got hit hard at the knee. As he rose to his feet, the crowd gave a huge ovation, knowing what the local star had been through. It was much bigger than a nine-yard gain.

“Yeah, I heard the fans,” Staley said. “The feeling was incredible. I’ve been waiting for that for so long.”

WINS

9-0

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Photo by Adam Kemp

What happened...

RECORD

4-0

Trailing by 17 at halftime, things looked bleak for the Cowboys. But a strong defensive effort and inspired offensive performance rapidly swung momentum after the break. During a wild third quarter, which included three OSU touchdowns and three A&M turnovers, the Cowboys seized control of the game and took the conference opener.

STAR PERFORMERS QB Brandon Weeden

47 completions - 438 yards - 2 TDs

WR Justin Blackmon

11 catches - 121 yards - 1 TD

CB Justin Gilbert

9 tackles - 1 interception

CB Brodrick Brown

8 tackles - 1 interception

Ride to victory: The journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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GAME RECAP

Comeback in

Texas A&M came out with complex blitzes, tough runs and downfield throws. Oklahoma State responded with dropped passes, missed tackles and dumb penalties.

Late in the first quarter, the Cowboys were reeling.

By halftime, their national title hopes were dangling by a string.

The 20-3 halftime deficit matched the largest OSU faced in the past two years.

“We knew we were going to win the game,” OSU running back Joseph Randle said. “Everyone had that look in their eyes. We knew we were going to go out there and score every time we got the ball.”

It was a common mindset in the visitor’s locker room. Sure, they had only scored three points to that point. But this is an elite offense, and this is national championship contender. And it was time for them to prove it.

Everyone had that look in their eyes. We knew we were going to go out there and score every time we got the ball.

Joseph Randle OSU running back

“Three years ago, when we were in that situation, guy’s faces didn’t look the same in the locker room,” coach Mike Gundy said.

“So it takes time to develop something like that and you have to win and prove to yourself that you can do it.”

True to their word, the Cowboys came out firing in the second half.

Eleven plays, 80 yards, touchdown. Defensive stop.

Ten plays, 89 yards, touchdown. A&M turnover.

Suddenly, the Cowboys were only down 20-17 and had the ball in good field position.

Ten minutes earlier, Aggie fans were organizing their postgame celebration. Now, they were scurrying around, uncomfortably talking about what had transpired.

“All of a sudden it is on,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “They were thinking about running out the clock. The crowd was like, ‘Are you kidding me? We were about to go have a couple of beers.’ It’s amazing how momentum can swing. All of a sudden everything you do goes right and everything they do goes wrong.”

Week 4 - TEXAS A&M VS OSU

By Anthony Slater

Published September 26, 2011

College Station

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Photo by KT King Ride to victory: The journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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Photo by KT King

And that trend continued.

The Cowboy offense was scoring at a rapid pace, using quick-strike attacks to keep the Aggies off balance. Almost as fast, the Cowboy defense was getting them the ball right back, stringing together stops with four second-half turnovers.

Midway through the fourth quarter, OSU had turned a 20-3 deficit into a 30-20 lead. And that 27-point swing would have been worse if not for a silly Justin Blackmon fumble on a sure touchdown.

After a late A&M rally came up short, the Cowboys completed a 30-29 win. The 87,358 at Kyle Field were left to wonder what had just happened.

Some will remember it as a huge collapse by the Aggies, but it’s bigger than that for OSU. It’s a signature win; a program-changing win. The type of game that vaults up-and-coming teams into elite status.

Gundy called it his most significant victory; quarterback Brandon Weeden said it was his most important.

Now, enjoying a bye week followed by a home game against Kansas, the Cowboys are sitting pretty.

Just four games into the season, plenty can happen.

But a furious second-half comeback and a historic win helped the Cowboys escape their first roadblock.

Week 4 - TEXAS A&M VS OSU

PHOTO RECAP ABOVE Brandon Weeden scrambles away from Aggie defenders.

The senior quarterback had a program-record 47 completions in this game.

RIGHT-ABOVE An excited group of Cowboys celebrate with James Thomas (#22) after the senior linebacker interception sealed the OSU win with an interception.

RIGHT-BELOW Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill runs away from Oklahoma State defenders for a first-quarter touchdown.

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Photos by KT King

Ride to victory: The journey of the 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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REPORT CARD Quarterback

Photo by KT King

The biggest game of his career, the best performance of his career. Brandon Weeden was sensational after halftime, throwing for 285 of his program-record 438 passing yards. He flawlessly ran the hurry-up offense, picked apart the Aggie secondary and led touchdown drive after touchdown drive. In front of a national audience, Weeden put his name in the Heisman discussion and put his team on the national map.

Grade

A-

Running backs

Photo by Kevin Craig

Early on, it seemed like Todd Monken tried to establish the run. Joseph Randle was finding some holes, but the offense seemed stagnant. In the second half, Monken spread the Aggies out and torched them through the air.

The run wasn’t needed, except for change of pace and goal-line runs, but the threat of it was still there. As for Jeremy Smith, his touchdown streak is at eight games and counting.

B

Wide receivers

Photo by Rick Smith

OSU has preached it all season, and the nation was able to see it on Saturday. The Cowboys may have the deepest receiving corps in the nation. Justin Blackmon is a premier talent, but there is plenty more behind him. Eleven players caught a pass, including three players (Blackmon, Josh Cooper, Hubert Anyiam) who had at least 10. Weeden is great at spreading it around, but it only works if you have the weapons.

A-

Defense

Photo by Kevin Craig

The offense was amazing in the second half, but the defense was equally as impressive. Bill Young’s opportunistic unit forced four key turnovers and shut down a normally explosive A&M running game. The Aggies ran for 147 yards in the first half, but only 15 in the second. It was reminiscent of the OSU-Texas A&M game from last year, as the defense continually changed the game with huge takeaways.

B+

Overall

Photo by Rick Smith

Week 4 - TEXAS A&M VS OSU

You are on the road in one of the toughest environments in the country and face a 20-3 halftime deficit against a top 10 team. There isn’t one of the 87,358 people at Kyle Field who thinks you even have a chance. You come out in the second half, score at will, silence the crowd and pull out an amazing 30-29 victory. That’s what elite teams do. That’s what national title contenders do. Now, enjoy your bye week.

A