Monday, September 27, 2021
OSU vs K STATE 31 - 20
No fly zone
Secondary elevates Cowboys over Wildcats
Cowboys impress over Wildcats, earn rank in latest AP poll
Jaiden Daughty
Ryan Novozinsky Staff Reporter For the first two weeks of the season, it looked like OSU’s offense was at a standstill. Sure, they squeaked out victories, but putting up weak rushing numbers and an average 25.5 points against Missouri State and Tulsa was a red flag. After Saturday’s 31-20 victory over Kansas State though, the concerns about the offense should be over. Despite not scoring in the second half for the second week in a row, OSU played their best game against a ranked team and had very few problems offensively. Quarterback Spencer Sanders tossed 344 yards and had two touchdowns. Most of these yards came from wide receiver Tay Martin, who stole the show with 100 yards and a touchdown. This was Martin’s first game since missing much of the Tulsa game and the entire Boise State game with an undisclosed ankle injury. According to coach Mike Gundy, Martin stands out in a young receiving
corps. “We have young players at receiver out there and the other teams challenge them,” Gundy said. “Tay Martin is ready for that. He’s a threat out there.” OSU also had another strong game running the football. After a 218-yard performance one week ago, running back Jaylen Warren continued his hot streak, putting up 204 total yards against the Wildcats defense. These large numbers –– mixed in with the win –– are the reason OSU was ranked 19th in the latest AP Poll. Their first game as a ranked team is next week against No. 21 Baylor –– which will be an interesting test for the offense. While the run game should be in good shape against Baylor’s 73rdranked rushing defense, the receiving corps will need a player like Martin to step up again as the Bears rank 23rd in total defense and 33rd in passes intercepted. If you ask Martin though, he’s up for the challenge since being in a prominent role feels natural to him. “It just felt like I belonged there honestly being back on the field,” Martin said.
Tay’s plays sports.ed@ocolly.com
Braden King Jarrick Bernard-Converse running back after swatting the ball from a Kansas State Defender.
Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter Kolby Harvell-Peel waited for the perfect moment. The Kansas State offense marched inside the Oklahoma State 25-yard line, looking to put points on the board, down by 21. Wildcat quarterback Jaren Lewis scrambled, trying desperately to avoid OSU defensive tackle Jayden Jernigan in pursuit. Lewis locked eyes with receiver Landry Weber five yards down the field, faked as if he was going to run, then directed a pass toward Weber. Harvell-Peel jumped the pass, catching a key interception with less than two minutes in the first half.
On Saturday, Peel’s interception was one of the crucial plays the Cowboys’ secondary made in their 31-20 victory over Kansas State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. Harvell-Peel made a momentumshifting turnover for the second game in a row. Peel remains humble, despite his critical playmaking. “Nothing special that I’m seeing,” Harvell-Peel said. “I’m just trying to do my job. I had a couple chances where I felt I should have made plays. I’m just trying to capitalize on the chances I do get to get my hands on the ball.” Other than Peel’s interception, the secondary totaled five pass breakups, including three from Jarrick Bernard-Converse on the first drive of the game. Malcolm Rodriguez believes Bernard-Converse’s crucial plays set the tone early for the rest of the game. “They’re not gonna throw the ball on us,” Rodriguez said. “Jarrick locked down their main guy. See No Fly on 2
Martin returns, Cowboy offense shows life in win over Kansas State
Chris Becker Assistant Sports Editor Spencer Sanders dropped back and lobbed a pass up to the back corner of the end zone in Boone Pickens Stadium. The ball was on the way to its
destination before Sanders’ target, Tay Martin, had even gotten to the end zone yet. Martin, sent on a fade route reminiscent of Justin Blackmon’s days as a Cowboy, lifted his hands up as he got closer to the corner. The ball met him there. With 10:51 left in the first half Martin hauled in the touchdown pass from Sanders to give the Cowboys a 28-10 lead over Kansas State.
See Tay’s plays on 2
Tay Martin hyped up after a big play on offense against Kansas State.
Braden King