Tulsa World: OSU's road fortunes have turned around

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OSU's road fortunes have turned around

OSU's Hubert Anyiam stiff-arms Texas A&M's Steven Campbell during the Cowboys' win at College Station this season. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/3/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/3/2009 4:18 AM

STILLWATER Through the first two-plus seasons after Mike Gundy became the head coach, Oklahoma State's experience in road games was mostly miserable.

In 2005, there were setbacks of 39 points at Texas A&M, 27 points at Iowa State and 28 points at Oklahoma. In a loss at Baylor, the Cowboys committed eight turnovers.

At Kansas State in 2006, with less than four minutes remaining in the game, the Cowboys led by 10 points. The Wildcats rallied for a 31-27 victory. At Troy in 2007, there was a nationally televised debacle — a 41-23 OSU defeat.

Through their first 13 true road games, Gundy-coached Cowboy teams were 2-11.

But at the midseason mark in 2007, OSU recorded a significant road victory — 45-14 at Nebraska. The Cowboys led 38-0 at halftime and celebrated their first success in Lincoln since 1960.

That Nebraska game represented the start of something better for Oklahoma State. Dating to that conquest of the Huskers, the Cowboys are 6-3 in their last nine road contests.

"Every year, we've gotten better athletes," OSU right offensive tackle Brady Bond said. "Personally, I enjoy playing on the road — the atmosphere and getting to see other schools. It motivates me."

Said Cowboy defensive tackle Swanson Miller: "It feels good to go on the road and win, especially (in spite of) a tough crowd like Texas A&M's."

Against Nebraska in 2007, Bond was a sophomore starter. Now a senior, he makes his 40th career start on Saturday, when the 18th-ranked Cowboys (6-2 overall, 3-1 Big 12) play a conference game at Iowa State (5-4, 2-3).

This year, OSU is 2-0 on the road, winning 36-31 at Texas A&M and 34-7 at Baylor.

"When you mature as a football team, (winning on the road) is just part of it," OSU coach Mike Gundy said. "Maybe early in the career of our staff here, too much was put into playing on the road. We talked about it a lot. As we just matured and our skill level got better through recruiting, it made a big difference.

"We just have more playmakers now. Playmakers make a big difference no matter where you're at."

For a Cowboy defense accustomed to facing spread passing attacks, a change of scenery awaits at Iowa State's Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones lead the Big 12 in rushing at 200 yards per game. They average nearly 5 yards per attempt, and junior running back Alexander Robinson is the league's leading rusher at 101.6 yards per game.

"If they want to get physical, we can get physical," Cowboy safety Lucien Antoine said. "It gives you a better chance to light somebody up."

When the Cowboys last played at Iowa State, in 2005, they were blitzed 37-10. In 2005-07, Gundy's Cowboys had a pair of five-game losing streaks on the road.

OSU was beaten in each of its last two trips to Iowa State (in 2005 and 45-17 in 2001). In OSU-Iowa State games played at Ames, the Cowboys have an all-time mark of 10-11-1.

"It's hard to win on the road in the Big 12," Bond said. "It makes you feel like you've accomplished something."

Said Gundy: "We won't win them all on the road, but we've gotten better."

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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	Report Comment PIRANA, Tulsa (11/3/2009 8:50:46 AM) Go Pokes!!! Beat Iowa State!!!
	Report Comment definedego, (11/3/2009 4:00:52 PM) Cowboys, Let your light shine.... You have COWBOY Magic! Let you light shine. Kick some tail! What a great recruitment time. Then off to OU! Go Pokes!

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