Mizzou victory the best? No. OSU's No. 1 remains 2001 Bedlam
Published: 10/17/2008 10:19 AM
Last Modified: 10/17/2008 10:19 AM
For the Oklahoma State football team, the benefits of beating Missouri were immediate and profound. The unbeaten Cowboys vaulted nine spots in the AP Top 25, to No. 8, and their upset was chronicled by myriad national media. But was it, as has been suggested by fans and media, the best victory in OSU football history? No. In terms of big-picture significance, it wasn't even the best victory of this decade. A review of this decade's top five:
1, OSU 16, Oklahoma 13 (Nov. 24, 2001 in Norman): This was the game that signaled the end of a mostly grim 13-year period for the Cowboys. This was the game that compelled OSU people to once again become excited about football, and it resulted in a stronger push to have Lewis Field renovated. Today, OSU's Boone Pickens Stadium is a stunning college football venue. In 81 games since the 2001 Bedlam contest, OSU's winning percentage is .590 (a 48-33 record) and the Cowboys have played in five bowls. In 81 games before 2001 Bedlam, the Cowboy winning percentage was .400 (33-48) and there was one bowl appearance.
2, OSU 38, Oklahoma 28 (Nov. 30, 2002 in Stillwater): Ask most Cowboy fans what they would most savor – a win over OU or a win over Missouri. Purely from a football standpoint, this definitely ranks among the greater achievements in Cowboy football history. Against a third-ranked Sooner team, the Les Miles-coached Cowboys roared to a 35-6 lead. OSU's Josh Fields and Rashaun Woods shredded the Sooner secondary. For the second consecutive season, OSU knocked OU from the national-title equation.
3, OSU 28, Missouri 23 (Oct. 11, 2008 at Columbia): The Tigers were undefeated and ranked No. 3. OSU prevailed in the most unexpected manner – by getting big plays from its defense. The Cowboys intercepted Chase Daniel three times. Missouri hadn't had a three-and-out offensive possession all season, but against OSU it had two. Missouri was 2-of-9 on third-down conversion attempts. OSU surged to a 6-0 start and suddenly was viewed as a contender both in the Big 12 and nationally.
4, OSU 24, Nebraska 21 (Oct. 19, 2002 at Stillwater): For the first time in 41 years (a span of 36 games), the Cowboys defeated Nebraska. Cowboy tailback Tatum Bell rushed for 182 yards. Celebrating OSU fans toppled the Lewis Field goalposts.
5, OSU 33, Southern Miss 23 (Dec. 27, 2002 at Houston): In the Houston Bowl at Reliant Stadium, the Cowboys rallied after squandering a 10-point lead. OSU's Rashaun Woods, the game's MVP, had nine catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. Josh Fields passed for 310 yards and two TDs. Tatum Bell ran for 160 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. OSU fans relished a bowl victory for the first time since 1988.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
