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Improved defense at OSU is believable

Oklahoma State linebacker Andre Sexton shakes hands with fans after the Cowboys' win over Missouri State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater last season. Cory Young/Tulsa World file

 
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
Published: 8/20/2009  2:28 AM
Last Modified: 8/20/2009  2:25 PM
Go to Dave Sittler's Blog

STILLWATER — In sports, go-to guys are as important to sportswriters as they are to their teams.

Their teammates rely on them to come through in the clutch. Writers depend on them to deliver on deadline, providing comments that are insightful and honest.

Oklahoma State linebacker Andre Sexton is high on my list of all-time favorite go-to guys in college football. Extroverted, affable, intelligent, experienced and talented, Sexton's got it all going on.

When Sexton looks you dead in the eye and tells you something, you know you can take it to the blank screen on your laptop and confidently write it as gospel.

So when Sexton didn't blink as he told me twice in recent weeks that this is the most talented OSU defense he's been a part of, I believed him.

"The talent has increased each year," said Sexton, a fifth-year senior. "We've been bringing in a lot better recruits on defense, guys who can run and fly around to the ball."

The nagging question, of course, is if the talent upgrade has finally reached the point that it's good enough to compete for championships? Sexton and everybody else worthy of wearing OSU's orange and black will obviously tell you it has.

Players and coaches at every level are motivated by blind faith right now. Believing the upcoming season is going to be better than the last one is what gets them through practices in summer's dog days.

"We tried to recruit several of these guys when I was at Kansas," defensive coordinator Bill Young said. "As defensive coaches, we are really excited about these players. We think we have some great potential."

Several observers believe the addition of Young was the biggest off-season upgrade in defensive talent. They base that opinion on the work Young did in the final years of his six-season stint at KU.

In 2005 and 2007, Young put together two of the best defenses in KU history. When the Jayhawks went 12-1 in 2007, they ranked 12th in the nation in total defense and led the Big 12 by forcing 35 turnovers.

Young didn't leave a bare cupboard when he departed for Miami (Fla.) last season. But while nine starters returned in 2008, a unit without Young in charge finished 89th in total defense.

A mere coincidence? Uh, no. Even though Miami finished 120th (and last) with only four interceptions last season, the Hurricanes were 28th in the nation in total defense in Young's first and only season.

Like Sexton, Young is another Cowboy who's a straight shooter. This isn't the first rodeo for Young, who turned 63 earlier this week and long ago got past playing word games with the media.

When Young tells you he could have used a lot of these Cowboys when he was at KU, you take him at his word. That includes his claim that senior cornerback Perrish Cox could be the second coming of Aqib Talib.

As a junior cornerback, Talib was the linchpin of the 2007 KU defense. After he joined running back Gale Sayers (1964) as the only consensus All-Americans in Jayhawk history, Talib was drafted in the first round by Tampa Bay.

Asked if Cox can do for this defense what Talib did for him at KU, Young said, "Oh, I think he can. He's a heck of an athlete.

"Jason Jones, our corners coach, really likes his potential. And his work ethic has been super. He's better now than he was in the spring; he's got a lot more confidence."

The 6-foot, 195-pound Cox is two inches shorter and 10 pounds lighter than what KU listed Talib in 2007. But there has never been any question about the talent level of the Waco, Texas, native, who was one of the first blue-chip prospects signed after Mike Gundy became head coach.

Like Talib, who also played receiver for the Jayhawks, Cox is versatile. He's made several preseason All-American teams as a kick returner after averaging 29.8 yards per return and taking two kickoffs to the house last season.

"Last year, we had a lot of first-year starters," said Cox. "This year we've got a lot veterans who know the game, know what's going on and know defense.

"Coach Young has put me in a position to make plays. I'm going to be around the ball. This is going to be my year."

OK, fine. But what about Sexton? Does he believe it will also be the year of the Cowboys?

"Coach Young has come in at a great time," said Sexton, who has started 38 games at OSU. "With the excitement growing from our previous defense, and (Young) having us focus on turnovers, turnovers, turnovers, we're going to take the next step."

When it comes to this go-to guy, I'm a believer.
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist

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4 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Rhymeister, Tokyo, JPN (8/20/2009 10:24:06 AM)
Perrish Cox and the other defensive backs are going to improve just from a much pass rush which is going to take some pressure of those guys. I definitely think Ok State's defense is going to improve if only because the scheme and play calling by Young and his staff are going to be a big improvement.
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Arbythree, Tulsa (8/20/2009 12:12:34 PM)
They had only one way to go.
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Cowboykillindawg, (8/21/2009 10:52:12 AM)
UGA defense against OSU offense
35-21 UGA
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Rhymeister, Tokyo, JPN (8/22/2009 8:39:52 AM)
Okay, UGA, but if you're wrong will you come back and admit it, lol?
 

 
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