Special-teams play a Cowboy weapon
Published: 9/8/2006 9:15 AM
Last Modified: 9/8/2006 9:15 AM
Following a 103-degree practice session in mid-August, as Cowboy players soaked in ice-filled tubs, special-teams coordinator Joe DeForest predicted that OSU would be significantly improved in the kicking game.
In last week's 42-point victory over Missouri State, the Cowboys were more than improved. They were nearly perfect.
Perrish Cox: 96-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff, along with a 41-yard punt return.
Tommy Devereaux: Two punt returns for a total of 75 yards.
Jason Ricks: 53-yard field goal.
Matt Fodge: 72-yard punt.
Chris Collins: Blocked a Missouri State punt.
Kick coverage: On two punt returns, the Bears netted only 5 yards.
Last season, special-teams failures were an obviously major factor in the Cowboys' last-place finish in the Big 12 South. Three touchdown returns were erased by penalties.
A solid kicking game can make such a huge difference. There were flaws last season, but DeForest-coached special-teams units have been good. This season, special-teams play could carry OSU to a bowl.
On Aug. 30, DeForest described Cox as being ``the most explosive kid that we have on our team right now. When he has the ball in his hands, he's unbelievable.''
Three days later, DeForest seemed pretty smart and Cox, as a first-year-freshman, looked like an All-American return specialist.
If Cox can do against Big 12 opponents what he did against Missouri State, he will be a regular on SportsCenter. He is the type of home-run threat more usually seen in a Southern California or Florida uniform.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
