Tulsa World: OSU's special teams steal the show

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OSU's special teams steal the show
Cox takes kickoff return 90 yards for TD, and Bryant and Price have big punt returns.

Ricky Price:
Returned a punt 68 yards to the Cougar 18 to set up a field goal.

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 8/31/2008 2:57 AM
Last Modified: 8/31/2008 3:31 AM

Cox takes kickoff return 90 yards for TD, and Bryant and Price have big punt returns.

SEATTLE — The motto entering Oklahoma State's season opener Saturday against Washington State was "set the tone."

The performance of OSU's special teams units set the tone in its 39-13 victory over the Cougars at Qwest Field.

"We did that in every phase of the kicking game," special teams coordinator Joe DeForest said.

Dez Bryant and Ricky Price each had punt returns deep into Washington State territory that set up field goals. For the second time in three seasons, Perrish Cox's first kickoff return of the year went the distance for a touchdown.

Special teams come under scrutiny in every game. But in season openers, big plays and breakdowns in the kicking game tend to stand out for several reasons.

DeForest admits there are some nerves on his part regarding special teams in the first game because there might be a lot of players seeing their first college action in that phase.

OSU has seen its previous two openers impacted early by special teams plays. Cox returned the opening kickoff of the 2006 opener against Missouri State for a touchdown. In last year's opener at Georgia, a bad snap over the head of OSU punter Matt Fodge set up the Bulldogs' first TD.

To quell those concerns, DeForest had a lot of veterans on the various units sprinkled in with a few first-time players.

The return units made their presence known. Bryant returned a

first-quarter punt 42 yards to Washington State's 26-yard field to set up Dan Bailey's 26-yard field goal.

Price brought back a third-quarter punt 68 yards to the Cougar 18, which set up another Bailey field goal.

But it was Cox who delivered the game-changing play, a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to make it 25-6 midway through the third quarter.

"We're the tone-setters on special teams, and that's all we talk about every day," Cox said. "Special teams wins games."

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com

PERRISH: THE RETURNS

OSU junior Perrish Cox recorded his third kickoff return for a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 39-13 victory against Washington State. A look at Cox’s three kickoff returns for scores.

Sept. 3, 2006, 96 yards against Missouri State: On his first play as a true freshman, Cox makes his presence known immediately by returning the opening kickoff for a score.

Oct. 21, 2007, 98 yards against Kansas State: Trailing 21-7, Cox provides a much-needed spark to the Cowboys with the fourth-longest kickoff return in school history.

Aug. 30, 2008, 90 yards against Washington State: AfterWashington State cuts lead to 18-6, Cox quiets the boisterous Cougars crowd at Qwest Field with his return.

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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