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Dominant Defense Monday, September 28, 2020
OSU defense takes over as Cowboys defeat West Virginia 27-13
Chris Becker
Oklahoma State improved after a tough Week 1 performance with a win over West Virginia. OSU’s defense picked up right where it left, allowing only 13 points to the Mountaineers. The defense created constant pressure on West Virginia quarterback Jaret Doege and took pressure off of the inexperienced true freshman quarterback Shane Illingworth. “We want to be an aggressive football team, but sometimes the situation doesn’t allow for it, or call for it,” offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn said. “We’ve got a puppy at quarterback and we’ve got a really, really stout defense right now. It’s one of those games, you grind it out. It feels like you’re playing old school SEC football.” Issues have poked
OSU faced a competitive, defensive-heavy matchup against West Virginia this past Saturday.
out on the other side of the ball. After having zero fumbles in the 2019 season, Hubbard put the ball on the ground twice against the Mountaineers and once against Tulsa. However, despite seeing limited carries, LD Brown has stepped up in a big way to show that he can carry a bigger workload. “I’m just thrilled with him and his ability to protect, his ability to rush the football,”
coach Mike Gundy said. “He started to cramp up a little bit today. It’s almost like he just said, ‘Hey, I’m a senior, I’m gonna roll with it this year. I’m gonna play lights out.’ His attitude with a smile on his face and his willingness to compete has been awesome.” Brown’s explosive game shows signs of the future after Illingworth didn’t throw the ball much in his first start of his young career. With
Brian Bahr
Spencer Sanders expected to come back against Kansas, the Cowboys may have to wait to see Illingworth on the field again. Despite only seeing limited time and pass plays, the future is bright for the young quarterback Illingworth. Cowboy fans may have just got to watch the quarterback of the future early in his career. Gundy said Sanders was at 80% before the West Virginia game, so
he should be ready to go for the Cowboys first road game at Kansas. The Cowboy defense has really stepped up and played a bigger role through two games. The Cowboys have leaned on their defense with a true freshman at QB. If Illingworth does have to see more time the Cowboys defense will likely be relied on to take the weight off of the young quarterbacks’ shoulders. Allowing only 20 points in two games and only two touchdowns on the year, the defense has given the Cowboys offense more time with the ball and less weight to score. Despite a slow offensive start to the season, OSU has proved that it can withstand not being as explosive on offense with this stout defense and a young quarterback. The Cowboys now have to regroup and turn their attention to the first road game of the season. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Rally of Reflection: OkState Stand United rally reflects on progress made
Jenny Maupin OkState Stand United organizers held a rally Friday, highlighting the importance of perseverance and urging students to stay involved. The rally came almost a month after OSU President, Burns Hargis, committed to develop a new Diversity and Inclusion plan that will address the group’s List of Urgencies. Sean Tolbert, a coorganizer of OKSSU, said the event drew a smaller crowd than usual but the students involved are persevering. “It is so hard to be young people that are consciously aware today,” Tolbert said. “You guys are persevering and I just want to say thank you so much. This is exactly what we need to con-
tinue all the work that we are doing.” Tolbert then introduced the administrators that will oversee the development of the new Diversity and Inclusion plan, Jeanette Mendez, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, and Leon McClinton Jr., Director of Housing and Residential Life. “These are the people who are going to do the important work that we need to see all the change that all of you have been fighting for,” Tolbert said. Co-organizer Payton Dougherty urged students to vote, directing them to the voter registration table on Library Lawn. “Make sure you have a plan to vote,” Dougherty said. “If you can vote in person, do it. If you feel safe enough do it and do it early.” OSU running back Chuba Hubbard also
Claire Boomer Organizer Gregory Samuel delivered a spoken word poem at the OKState Stand United Rally last Friday.
made an appearance. Co-organizer, Gregory Samuel, performed an emotional spoken word piece in what he said might be his last performance of the year. “So, give
em’ hell,” Samuel said. “In the boardroom, where you are the only black, speak that truth. Whatever is burning in your gut, that God-given discernment, bellow
loud if it’s injustice ever in your presence.” The rally ended with an eight minute and 46 second moment of silence to reflect.