Chelf, Stewart lead OSU past West Virginia, 55-34
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Saturday, November 10, 2012
11/10/12 at 9:48 PM
STILLWATER -- Clint Chelf, who began the season as a third-team quarterback, made his first career start Saturday and teamed with Josh Stewart in leading Oklahoma State to a 55-34 victory over West Virginia at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Chelf hit 22-of-31 passes for 292 yards, four touchdowns and one interception as OSU secured bowl eligibility and improved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 conference games. Stewart caught 13 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a 46-yard score on a first-quarter reverse.
West Virginia, which was ranked fifth nationally after a 5-0 start, lost a fourth consecutive game in falling to 5-4 and 2-4.
OSU led by only a touchdown entering the fourth quarter and West Virginia had possession with an opportunity to drive for a tying score. But Daytawion Lowe broke up a third down pass on the first play of the quarter to force a punt and it was all Cowboys from that point forward.
Chelf drove OSU 80 yards for a score that was capped by a 20-yard pass to Stewart, whose dive over the pylon was upheld after a replay review.
Stewart’s touchdown gave OSU a 48-34 lead with 12:05 remaining. West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen -- a former OSU offensive coordinator -- gambled and lost on his team’s subsequent possession. The Mountaineers faced fourth-and-6 at their 39 and, when quarterback Geno Smith couldn’t find anybody open, he threw a short pass that was knocked down by Cowboy linebacker Shaun Lewis.
OSU took over on downs and, three plays later, Jeremy Smith bolted 21 yards for a touchdown to give Mike Gundy’s team a 21-point lead with 9:50 remaining.
West Virginia’s only real threat afterward came when a fourth and goal play was unsuccessful near game’s end.
Chelf’s first start came after he left the bench to throw for 233 yards in only 25 minutes against Kansas State one week earlier. He replaced starter Wes Lunt in that game because the freshman was dealt a blow to the head.
Chelf became the third OSU player to start at quarterback this season, joining Lunt and redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh.
Since Gundy’s playing career ended in 1989, the Cowboys have started three quarterbacks in a season only four times.
Chris Smith (two starts), Earl Wheeler (four) and Kenny Ford (five) took turns as the starter in 1990.
Gary Porter started four games, Tone Jones started four and Andy Loveland started three in 1993.
In Gundy’s first year (2005) as head coach, Donovan Woods started two games, Bobby Reid started five and Al Pena started four.
Associated Images:
Clint Chelf completed 22-of-31 passes for 292 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
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