Heart of Dallas Bowl: OSU - Purdue Report Card
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
1/02/13 at 4:47 AM
OFFENSE
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Oklahoma State played without former offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who was hired as head coach at Southern Mississippi, and head coach Mike Gundy had to step back into the fray as a ringleader of the offense. OSU had a three-and-out opening possession, but scored four touchdowns on their next five possessions en route to 524 yards and 58 points, their second-most ever in a bowl game. (OSU scored 62 points in the 1988 Holiday Bowl, when Gundy was a junior quarterback). "They executed in all phases of the game," Purdue All-America defensive lineman Kawann Short said after a game in which OSU ran for 213 yards and passed for 311. "It was up to the defensive line to make the disruption and we didn't do it."
DEFENSE
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Statistically, OSU's defense is better this season than last season in many statistical categories. But the Cowboys have been lackluster when it comes to getting takeaways and getting stops on critical downs. That changed in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Purdue was only 5-of-15 on third down conversions and was shut out until the final minute of the third quarter. The Cowboys harvested a season-best five takeaways. Shamiel Gary intercepted a tipped ball to set up a touchdown drive, and Andrae May's interception led to a field goal. Purdue fumbled six times and lost three, with the biggest fumble coming early in the third quarter when Justin Gilbert stripped the ball from a receiver. Daytawion Lowe snared the loose ball and ran 37 yards for OSU's first defensive touchdown this season.
Tyler Johnson was credited with forced two fumbles and Lyndell Johnson forced another. Brodrick Brown and Joe Mitchell had fumble recoveries.
SPECIAL TEAMS
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Quinn Sharp, who is promoted by OSU as perhaps the nation's top special teams player, got one last chance to show his stuff to NFL scouts. He punted three times for a 52.7 average, including a 65-yarder on his first attempt. He also was 3-of-3 on field goals, connecting from 20, 21 and 42 yards. Josh Stewart, who asked to return punts in the bowl because he thought he could make a play, lived up to his word. Returning a punt for the first time this season and second time in his career, his 64-yard return set up OSU's first touchdown and launched a rout. The negatives? Purdue twice successfully executed fake punts, although only one led to points. Also, OSU was offside on a kickoff and Alex Elkins was injured when the Cowboys were forced to kick off a second time. Although he was helped off the field, Elkins later returned to duty. Purdue kicker Sam McCartney missed his only field goal.
Associated Images:
OSU's Tyler Johnson causes a fumble by Purdue quarterback Robert Marve. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World
OSU head coach Mike Gundy celebrates his team's Heart of Dallas Bowl win over Purdue. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World
OSU's Kye Staley (right) celebrates with Charlie Moore after Moore's touchdown Tuesday. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World
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