Pokes Clip Jayhawks in Stillwater
STILLWATER -- In another sound game of defensive and offensive football, Oklahoma State nearly blanked Kansas as they won 31-13. With the win, the Cowboys moved to 7-3 on the season and clinched their 14th-straight winning season, the longest streak in school history.
"That was a good win for us," said head coach Mike Gundy. "I told the team that I was proud of the way they started fast. From the first kickoff they started fast, really in all three phases. I wish we would have kicked the ball a little better, field goal-wise, but other than that we were pretty good. We were very aggressive on defense. They were able to contain them. Their running back [Pooka Williams Jr.] is a good player. He breaks one in just about every game, so we did a good job of containing him. We got some pressure on the quarterback [Carter Stanley]. On third down, we had an unbelievable day on defense. They went 6-17 on third down, and over half of them were over third and 10. Overall, the guys played really well. I'll let them enjoy this one and then come back to work tomorrow and get going and get ready to play the next one."
It was another game of turnovers for the Pokes, but this time, it was only on the defensive side of the ball. As a team, Oklahoma State forced three turnovers, all interceptions. Freshman Trace Ford hauled one in, followed by two more by safety Kolby Harvell-Peel, bringing his total to five interceptions on the season.
"He's in the right place at the right time," said coach Gundy. "It's like Shaun Lewis. Remember years ago when Shaun Lewis was here? Every time the ball got tipped he was standing there and every time the ball was on the ground he was there. For some reason, he is in the right place at the right time. You know what people say about guys who are good players? They are usually in the right place at the right time. The second part of that is when he gets the chance, he catches it. He finishes and he catches it."
"He has great football intelligence," said defensive coordinator Jim Knowles of Harvell-Peel. "He is a guy who can pick my brain at practice. He understands offensive and defensive schemes. Defense is a lot about momentum and attitude. We have a lot of momentum right now and we've got to keep it up. Kolby is our leader for sure."
As a whole, it was more than just turnovers for the defense. By the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma State had held Kansas to no points and just 132 yards of total offense on 46 plays.
For comparison, by the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma State had scored 31 points and racked up 424 yards of total offense on 60 plays.
Kansas would go on to score two touchdowns, missing one two point conversion and kicking an extra point, to get to 13 points, but that wasn't until mid way through the fourth quarter.
By the end of the game, Oklahoma State had put up a combined 481 yards of total offense on 70 plays. Running back Chuba Hubbard finished the day with 23 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns. His performance marked his seventh 100-yard half of the season. He also finished with 42 receiving yards on two receptions.
Quarterback Spencer Sanders came out of the game in the third quarter as a precaution due to a thumb injury. He finished the game going 12-of-18 for 168 yards and one touchdown and no sacks. He also racked up 37 rushing yards on 11 carries.
His injury paved the way for redshirt senior Dru Brown to come in and get some significant playing time. Just a few plays into his time on the field, Brown connected with his good friend, receiver Dillon Stoner for a 43-yard touchdown pass. It marked Brown's first touchdown of Big 12 play.
"He's been so good," said coach Gundy of Dru Brown. "He was a captain of this game. That tells you what kind of young man we are dealing with. He stayed focused and everyone knows that it is difficult to do what he is doing. He hasn't flinched at all, so it was awesome to get to see him come in. He played pretty good."
Brown finished the game going 3-for-5 for 70 yards and one touchdown.
Stoner also had a great performance today as he recorded a career-high 150 receiving yards on just five receptions with two touchdowns.
Oklahoma State will be back in action next weekend as they travel up to Morgantown, West Virginia to face the Mountaineers. Game details such as time and broadcast channel have yet to be announced.
