OSU football notebook: Orange helmets

BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Sunday, October 21, 2012
10/21/12 at 6:22 AM

For the first time since 1979, Oklahoma State wore orange helmets. The new helmets feature a Pistol Pete image instead of the team logo.

For homecoming, the Cowboys went all orange: helmets, jerseys and pants.

Two takeaways: After forcing only four turnovers in the first five games, OSU had an interception and a fumble recovery against Iowa State.

"They were coming last year, but we haven't gotten too many this year," said safety Daytawion Lowe, who had the interception. "Now, we have to keep on getting them. Now that we have some, hopefully they'll keep on rolling."

Maselera, Cooper gone: After the game, coach Mike Gundy said safeties Lavocheya Cooper and Isaac Maselera were no longer on the team.

Cooper left for personal reasons, while Maselera, who is from Glenpool, was dismissed for a violation of team rules. Last week, Maselera pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and received a deferred sentence.

Homecoming record: With Saturday's win, OSU is 49-35-7 all-time on homecoming and has won five of its last six homecoming games.

That's a first: Iowa State scored on the game's opening drive, marking the first time this season OSU did not score first.

Injury update: The Cowboys played without quarterback Wes Lunt (knee, ankle) and receivers Tracy Moore (ankle) and Isaiah Anderson (hand). Backup running back Jeremy Smith had one carry in the second half before limping off the field.

Receiver Torrance Carr saw his first action of the year after recovering from a preseason injury.

Linebacker Lyndell Johnson returned for the first time since sustaining a leg injury in the season opener.

"He gives us a little extra on passing situations," Gundy said. "He can really cover the field."

Even though Johnson is a linebacker, Gundy said "he is the extra defensive back we can put in certain situations who can really run. His workload will increase as he regains his health. He helps us a lot."

Game captains: The captains for the game were receivers Charlie Moore and Justin Horton, cornerback Justin Gilbert and kicker Quinn Sharp.

Career highs: Charlie Moore caught eight passes for 129 yards, surpassing his career highs set last week against Kansas (five catches and 97 yards). He also had a touchdown.

"It's been a good past couple of weeks," he said. "I've been working hard. I'm just going to keep working hard this week to continue to improve."

Quarterback J.W. Walsh set career highs with 32 completions, 47 attempts and 415 yards.

"I feel much more comfortable," he said. "It's crazy how much time and the reps you get change everything for your confidence.

"The way we've been practicing and the games we've had, the comfort level just keeps growing."

Celeb sightings: Kendall Hunter, Perrish Cox and Russell Okung were among Gundy's former players in attendance for the win that made him the winningest coach in school history.

Sixth-largest crowd: Saturday's attendance of 57,019 is the sixth-largest crowd in Boone Pickens Stadium history.

Another TD for Woody: Running back Jeff Woody, who scored the game-winning touchdown against OSU in the second overtime last season, had Iowa State's lone touchdown in the rematch, his second score this year.