OSU notebook: Michael Harrison update
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Thursday, October 27, 2011
10/27/11 at 6:34 AM
Related Story: Dropped passes don't stress Cowboys
With wide receiver Hubert Anyiam expected to miss the rest of the season because of a broken foot, sophomore Michael Harrison and junior Isaiah Anderson are expected to be more involved in the OSU passing game.
Harrison had three catches last week at Missouri. Each was significant. He scored OSU's first points on a 27-yard touchdown catch. Later, after collecting a short Brandon Weeden pass, Harrison blew through a Missouri tackle attempt and wound up with a 31-yard gain.
And with three minutes left to play, on third-and-12 from the Tiger 45, Harrison again got second-effort yards, surging for 13 and a first down. Four plays later, Joseph Randle scored to clinch a 45-24 victory for OSU.
"(Harrison) might be the best after-the-catch guy that we've got," Cowboy offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. "He's just not as fast as (Justin Blackmon), but in terms of strength, Michael Harrison is a bear to bring down. He's as good as I've been around at breaking away from people. Great ball-skill guy and great after-the-catch guy."
On a combined total of 26 catches this season, Harrison and Anderson have scored six touchdowns.
"In the first half (at Missouri), I thought (Anderson) played tentative," Monken said. "He didn't look fast. He didn't play fast. He didn't look comfortable. And then he played a lot better. I think he'll play even better (against Baylor). He's deserving of the opportunity."
Trophy on display: For the first time since the 2004 season, the Bowl Championship Series national-title trophy will be present for an Oklahoma State home game.
On Friday, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., the Coaches' Trophy will be on display at Stillwater's Walmart Supercenter, 4545 W. 6th (Highway 51). Before Saturday's 2:30 p.m. Big 12 contest matching Baylor and OSU, the trophy will be on display at the Hall of Fame Block Party immediately north of Boone Pickens Stadium.
On Friday and Saturday, fans are allowed to be photographed with the 34-inch, 45-pound trophy. The crystal Coaches' Trophy is valued at $30,000 and will be presented to the winner of the Jan. 9 BCS championship game in New Orleans.
Gundy on watch list: Mike Gundy, who has led undefeated Oklahoma State to the No. 3 position in the BCS standings, is on the 20-man watch list for the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award. Last season, Gundy was the Big 12 coach of year.
Weeden vs. Griffin: The Davey O'Brien Award committee has designated Baylor-OSU as its "marquee match-up" of the week. Baylor's Robert Griffin III and OSU's Brandon Weeden are semifinalists for the O'Brien Award, presented annually to the top quarterback in college football.
Griffin leads the nation in passing efficiency, while Weeden has completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,436 yards and 19 touchdowns.
