Mike Gundy's greatest hits: The top five wins of the Gundy era
Published: 9/7/2009 8:08 PM
Last Modified: 9/7/2009 8:08 PM
Tulsa World sports writer Bill Haisten, who has covered every game of Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy era, ranks Gundy's top five victories.
No. 1: OSU 24, Georgia 10 (Sept. 5, 2009, Stillwater)
Following the first game played in the completely renovated Boone Pickens Stadium, Gundy acknowledged that he felt tremendous pressure. The Cowboys entered as five-point favorites and with a No. 9 national ranking (the highest preseason ranking in school history). OSU prevailed in a completely unexpected manner – with a dominant defense.
No. 2: OSU 28, Missouri 23 (Oct. 11, 2008, Columbia)
Earlier in the day, top-ranked Oklahoma lost to Texas. No. 3-ranked Missouri had a path to the top of the polls, but the 17th-ranked Cowboys stunned the Tigers before 68,439 at Faurot Field. OSU's Kendall Hunter had a huge performance. He rushed for 154 yards and scored on a 68-yard dash. The Cowboy defense was brilliant, intercepting Tiger quarterback Chase Daniel three times.
No. 3: OSU 45, Nebraska 14 (Oct. 13, 2007, Lincoln)
This was not a typical Nebraska team. The Huskers wound up with records of 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the Big 12. But for OSU to have won with such ease, and to have done it before the Big Red crowd of 84,334, was very impressive. The halftime score was stunning: OSU 38, Nebraska 0. OSU finished with 551 total yards and tailback Dantrell Savage rushed for a career-high 212. It was OSU's first victory at Nebraska since Nov. 12, 1960. The 31-point setback was Nebraska's worst at home since 1958.
No. 4: OSU 34, Alabama 31 (Dec. 28, 2006, Shreveport, La.)
Only one year removed from finishing last in the Big 12, the Cowboys capped a winning season (7-6) with an Independence Bowl victory over the Crimson Tide. OSU's Jason Ricks booted a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left to play. The Cowboys' totals of 34 points and 419 yards were the most allowed by Alabama all season. OSU's balanced production – 212 passing yards, 207 on the ground – exceeded Mike Gundy's goals of 200 passing and 125 rushing.
No. 5: OSU 41, Nebraska 29 (Oct. 28, 2006, Stillwater)
Driven by quarterback Bobby Reid and running back Dantrell Savage, OSU rolled past the 20th-ranked Huskers after rallying from a 16-0, second-quarter deficit. It was OSU's first victory ever over a nationally ranked Nebraska team. After halftime, the Huskers averaged only 3.1 yards per rush. OSU sacked Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor five times.
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
