By Michael Doutey
The Oklahoma State Cowboys went to Lawrence, Kansas and took care of business winning 48-28 and now move to 4-1 on the season. It wasn’t pretty. The Cowboys played really good at times and then they played sloppily at times. But the Pokes got the all important win.
It wasn’t a game to hang your hat on of you’re OSU. It wasn’t an encouraging game or one where we learned much about this team. It was a lackluster performance. But OSU got the win and now have to heal up before Iowa State rolls into Stillwater next weekend. Here are tonight’s five observations.
Justice Hill on the Loose
OSU fans have been wondering when we might see Hill get his due. Fans have been begging and pleading for Hill to get his carries, especially after last week against Texas Tech. Well, we got that this week as Hill carried the ball 31 times for 189 yards and a touchdown. Now it is Kansas, but this was needed for a multitude of reasons. But it was the first time we saw Justice on the loose and it was great to see. The offensive line wasn’t great but you don’t have to be great when you have an NFL caliber running back running behind you. He made several plays out of absolutely nothing. OSU is lucky to have a player like Hill or they’d be in some serious trouble. But this at least got some confidence going in the run game for the first time all season. Hopefully they can build off this performance.
Too Many Penalties
The Pokes were cruising in the first half on offense. But the penalty bug was spread around. With 3rd and goal at the one and OSU decided to call a jump ball throw to Jelani Woods who was called for a questionable offensive pass interference which lead to OSU settling for a field goal. Then the final two drives of the first half OSU had their drives derailed by a holding penalties, one by Logan Carter and one by Woods. After that, OSU was never as dominant as they started out. Then on the other side of the ball, Jarrick Bernard roughed the punter that set up a KU touchdown. Then in the first drive of the second half, Thabo Mwaniki was called for a defensive holding penalty, which really didn’t affect the 3rd and 5 play that resulted in a KU skipped pass for an incompletion. The next play lead to a long KU touchdown. Penalties resulted in KU’s first two touchdowns. Mental errors leading to the oppositions getting points is never good. Against Kansas you can get away with that. If that was anyone else in the Big 12, that could be hindering. That has to be cleaned up before next week.
How Good was Taylor Cornelius?
The numbers look good. In fact, they look great. 15-20 for 312 yards, four touchdowns and one pick is an excellent day quarterbacking. But he did nothing to make me feel comfortable going forward. He under threw several passes that ended up going for touchdowns or big gains. He under threw Landon Wolf on the second touchdown of the game. He missed a wide open Braydon Johnson who would have walked in untouched for a touchdown. I mean, no one was around him at all. But he redeemed himself on the next play connecting with Tyron Johnson on a 62 yard bomb. He under threw passes deep because that is what he is. He isn’t a deep ball threat. But that is what OSU is. OSU got away with it today. But I am not sure how many more times it will be as easy as it was today. We didn’t learn anything more than we already know about Corn today. But he did have his best throw of his career to Tyron Johnson in the second half. That one was sweet.
WATCH: Feed the Wolf! #OKState takes a 14-0 lead in Lawrence
#Big12FB on @CFBonFOX pic.twitter.com/Zp2v6FgXa3
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) September 29, 2018
WATCH: @_TBJXIII beats Kansas over the top extended #OKState‘s lead during the first half
#Big12FB on @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/inRPvZ1rk4
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) September 29, 2018
WATCH: Cornelius drops it in perfectly for Tyron Johnson to extend the #OKState lead!
#Big12FB on @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/3aucd2zHhw
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) September 29, 2018
Jordan Brailford Dominated
Brailford played one of his best games of the season. He had eight tackles which was the most he’s had all season. But he is the sack master adding three more to his season total. He has seven sacks already this season. OSU as a team had five sacks on the day, nine tackles for loss and forced a fumble. But the defense is lead by Brailford and what he does best. OSU is elite at sacking the quarterback. Even without Calvin Bundage, Brailford was able to wreak havoc in the backfield.
Life comes at you fast bro @Jbrailford2 shows the crowd why he’s the @big12conference sack leader! He keeps the streak alive with 5 sacks in 5 games!#GoPokes | @CowboyFB pic.twitter.com/Ho5ul9JDgf
— FOX Sports Oklahoma (@FOXSportsOK) September 29, 2018
Injuries are Piling Up
First word about injuries came in early this morning. Darion Daniels didn’t make the trip to KU. After the game, Gundy announced that Daniels will be out for the season. He does have a redshirt year available which can be used since he appeared in only four games. But he is a big loss as he is the best interior defensive linemen on the team. Bundage, Dillon Stoner and Malcolm Rodriguez all missed the game after getting banged up last week, which was no real surprise. Arlington Hambright was injured on the first drive of the game. Tevin Jenkins, who starts at right tackle, switched to left tackle and Shane Richards came in at right tackle. Later in the game, Jenkins left the field and Dylan Galloway came in at left tackle. Jenkins eventually came back in. After an interception, Landon Wolf came up with the tackle but exited the game slowly. He came back in though. AJ Green didn’t finish the game and was seen on the sidelines without a helmet. And Justice Hill looked like he took a shot to the quad and exited the game. He returned at well. Bumps, bruises and injuries are piling up in Stillwater.
Other News and Notes
Justice Hill has now rushed for a TD in 11 straight games, which ties a Big 12 record.
Tylan Wallace has 100 yards receiving in four straight games with his four catch, 104 yard and one TD performance. He’s up to 442 yards receiving this year.
In Landon Wolf’s first start of his career, he lead the team in catches and yards. He had six catches for 116 yards and a TD.
After Justin Phillips forced fumble that he recovered, OSU has forced a turnover in 32 straight games.
Taylor Cornelius broke a Mason Rudolph record today. Corn averaged 15.6 yards per pass attempt, breaking Mason Rudolph’s record last season against Pitt where he completed 15.5 yards per attempt. So, there is that. Credit to Mark Cooper for catching that.
OSU’s season total for sacks is 24 through the first five games, an average of 4.8 sacks per game.
