By necessity, OSU offense becomes more complete
Published: 10/18/2009 2:11 PM
Last Modified: 10/18/2009 2:11 PM
The 2008 Oklahoma State offense was prolific and pretty.
Lots of yards (488 per game). Lots of actual points (41 per game). Lots of style points. Big catches and big returns by Dez Bryant. Big runs by Kendall Hunter.
The '08 Cowboys were extremely reliant on Bryant and Hunter, and that would have worked again this season – if Hunter had stayed healthy and if Bryant had not established residence in the NCAA's doghouse.
After it became apparent that Hunter's ankle-foot injury was a potentially long-term situation, and when Bryant was indefinitely suspended for having lied to an NCAA investigator about his association with Deion Sanders, there was no all-out freak-out at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Coach Mike Gundy and his assistants sustained calm within the Cowboy camp. Without the presence of two All-Americans, other Cowboys have emerged as capable playmakers.
Not by design but by necessity, Oklahoma State has become a more complete offensive football team. Yardage and scoring are down, but the bottom line is fine. The Cowboys are 5-1 and ranked 14th in the country.
Without Hunter-Bryant, the Cowboys are 3-0. Texas A&M isn't very good, but a 36-31 victory at Kyle Field still counts for something. Missouri has a nice team, and OSU methodically conquered the Tigers 33-17 on Saturday.
Last season, Bryant and Hunter scored a combined total of 36 offensive touchdowns. This season, 21 offensive touchdowns have been scored by Cowboys who aren't Hunter or Bryant.
In 2008, Bryant had 87 catches. Other wide receivers had a combined total of 40. This year, Zac Robinson is involving every available target in the passing game. At the midway mark of the season, the other wide receivers already have 45 catches.
While Keith Toston may lack Hunter's flash, Toston is the equal of any Big 12 running back when it comes to substance. He has rushed for 497 yards (5.2 per attempt).
When Hunter and Bryant were rendered inactive, the Cowboys needed winning plays from guys like Toston and Hubert Anyiam.
So far, so good. A 2-0 Big 12 record trumps style points.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
