Control and crimson Monday, November 8, 2021
Cowboys in strong position for final three games
Courtesy of OSU Athletics
Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter The Cowboys don’t need help. Not from a scrappy underdog that knocks off a favorite. Not from a topranked team that chokes away a game. With three games remaining in the regular season, Oklahoma State controls its own destiny. After a suffocating 24-3 win against West Virginia on Saturday, the
Cowboys own sole possession of the No. 2 spot in the Big 12. Baylor, tied with OSU, lost to TCU, giving the Cowboys breathing room at the second spot. The OSU defense has allowed just six points in the past two games, and with TCU, Texas Tech and Oklahoma remaining on its schedule, the Cowboys have opportunity to continue their upper echelon play. The future has a wide range of outcomes. Three losses would, in all likelihood, eliminate 8-1 OSU from the Big 12 championship race and send the Cowboys to an obscure bowl game in Texas. Three wins would likewise send OSU to the Lone Star State, but for the
conference championship — and presumably a spot in the College Football Playoff — would be on the line. There is an outlier on the Cowboy schedule. Two opponents battling through difficult season and the crimson-and-cream elephant in the room. The next two opponents for OSU are on their second coaches of the year. TCU, 4-5 on the year, fired longtime coach Gary Patterson last week. Texas Tech, the last away game OSU will play, fired coach Matt Wells and is slogging through a 5-4 year. But the Cowboys are undefeated in games as a favorite this season. If that trend holds true, the Cowboys will be visited by the aforementioned crimson and cream elephant in Boone
Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State and Oklahoma will probably be a top 10 matchup. The Cowboys control their destiny, but getting over ten wins this season will come down to the final week in a rivalry OSU has recently been controlled in. “If we stay humble and we focus and work hard like we have, we have a chance to win every game we play, I would guess, just based on the improvement that we’ve made and guys competing and committing themselves,” coach Mike Gundy said.
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OSU offense operates efficiently against Mountaineers without big plays Dean Ruhl Sports Editor
flashy as the Cowboys’ offense got Saturday, but an efficient and consistent offensive attack sat backseat to an assertive defensive unit. Sanders added yet another compelling start to his 2021 season, completing 68% of his passes and compiling 182 yards. He threw his first interception since the second half of the Texas game on Oct. 16, after his pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage attempting to throw a checkdown to running back Jaylen Warren. WVU defensive lineman Dante Stills batted the ball, dove for the interception and seized it to complete the impressive play. Outside of the interception, the Cowboy offense struggled with penalties. Offensive lineman Hunter Woodard was called for holding twice in the game. “We kind of shot ourselves in the foot sometimes,” Sanders said. “I made some bad decisions sometimes. It is part of football.”
Tay Martin has been practicing his signature for months. Not a one you put on a dotted line, but one which includes a textbook fade route, a leaping corner of the end zone catch from quarterback Spencer Sanders, and a touchdown. It was on display twice Saturday, as Sanders and Martin connected on nearly identical throws in the back right corner of the West Virginia end zone for two touchdowns. “It started in the winter,” Sanders said. “We’ve been working on (the fade) for about over a year. It is paying off.” Those 14 points accounted for the majority of Oklahoma State’s points in its 24-3 victory against West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. Martin’s two touchdown See Offense on 2 receptions were about as
Courtesy of OSU Athletics