Tulsa World: Grand opening

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Grand opening

OSU's Dez Bryant runs by a pair of Washington State defenders on Saturday at Qwest Field in Seattle. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 8/31/2008 2:53 AM
Last Modified: 8/20/2009 10:02 AM

Audio: Listen to a one-minute postgame interview with quarterback Zac Robinson.

Audio: Listen to a two-minute interview with coach Mike Gundy. He liked the defense’s performance and Dez Bryant’s game. What did he think of calling plays again?

OSU stifles Cougars; special teams shine

SEATTLE — In a fairly easy victory over Washington State, Oklahoma State was adequate offensively, mostly solid on defense and mostly spectacular on special teams.

As OSU recorded a 39-13, season-opening triumph before 50,830 at Qwest Field, the Cowboy defense did appear to be better than last year's unit. OSU held the Cougars scoreless until the midway mark of the third period and, overall, limited Washington State to only 196 total yards.

"There are no easy wins out there," fourth-year Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said. "We're very excited about coming up here and getting a good win.

"It was a really good day for the defense, and special teams were really, really big for us. Good special-teams play — that's what made the difference today."

OSU's return game was lethal. On punt-return yardage, OSU had 124. Washington State had zero.

Dez Bryant's 42-yard punt return led to a Dan Bailey field goal. Ricky Price's 68-yard punt return led to another Bailey field goal.

After Washington State finally scored to draw within 12 points (18-6), OSU's Perrish Cox scored on a 90-yard kickoff return with 5:35 left in the third quarter.

"We did a very poor job with the middle-of-the-field coverage," first-year Cougar coach Paul Wulff said. "That was a big momentum swing, obviously."

As Cox and Bryant were deep to receive that Washington State kickoff, Cox says they had a quick exchange before the ball was launched. Cox recounts his dialogue with Bryant: "Dez was like, 'You want it?' I was like, 'Yeah, I want it.' He was like, 'Go on and get it. Do what you do with it.' I was confident on that one. I felt good about it. The coaches tell us to be the tone-setters on special teams."

A junior cornerback, Cox now has four return TDs in his career — three on kickoffs and one on a punt.

Last season, OSU averaged 486 yards per game. On Saturday, particularly on snaps inside the Cougar 10-yard line, the offense was uneven and occasionally dysfunctional. Overall, though, Gundy liked the numbers.

OSU finished with 367 total yards and was typically balanced (174 rushing, 193 passing). Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson was 20-of-27 passing. He was intercepted once (when intended receiver Bo Bowling tipped a slightly errant throw that was picked off by Washington State's Chima Nwachukwu).

For the 12th consecutive game, a Cowboy back reached the 100-yard mark in rushing.

Against the Cougars, sophomore Kendall Hunter carried 23 times for 107 yards. He scored on runs of 11 and 10 yards.

Offensively, the most conspicuous Cowboy was Bryant, a sophomore wide receiver who totaled seven receptions for 90 yards. Every time OSU really needed a play, Bryant made a play.

During the opening minute of the fourth period, Cougar quarterback Gary Rogers scored on a 3-yard run, capping a 16-play, 69-yard touchdown march. Washington State trailed by only 25-13.

OSU answered with a 61-yard, nine-play possession that was dominated by Bryant, who at 6-foot-2 had a pronounced height advantage over the Washington State cornerbacks. Robinson would loft a high, soft pass, and Bryant would simply outjump the Cougar defenders and collect the football.

"(Robinson) expects me to make that play, and I expect to make that play," Bryant said.

During the 61-yard drive, Bryant had an 18-yard catch, a 9-yarder (on third-and-5 from the Cougar 39) and a 19-yarder that gave the Cowboys a first down at the Cougar 11-yard line. Robinson followed with a 1-yard touchdown dive, and OSU led 32-13 with 9:45 left to play.

"The Lakers are going to give it to Kobe Bryant. When Michael Jordan was playing, the Chicago Bulls gave it to him," OSU receivers coach Trooper Taylor said. "We're going to do the same thing (with Bryant), but we're not going to force passes to anybody. (Tight end) Brandon Pettigrew is pretty good and we've got some other receivers and backs that are pretty exciting. And (Robinson) is pretty special with the ball in his hands, too."

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com

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