Tulsa World: Cowboys throttle Trojans

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Cowboys throttle Trojans
Offense rolls up 612 yards in front of record crowd.

OSU receiver Dez Bryant catches a touchdown pass over Troy defender Trevor Ford in the second quarter Saturday in Stillwater. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 9/28/2008 2:03 AM
Last Modified: 8/20/2009 9:54 AM

Listen to interviews with Mike Gundy and Zac Robinson. tulsaworld.com/sportsextra

STILLWATER — With extraordinary statistics having become routine for Oklahoma State's offense, the Cowboys crushed Troy (Ala.) University in Saturday's grudge match at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Quarterback Zac Robinson, wide receiver Dez Bryant and running backs Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston responded with big numbers as OSU prevailed 55-24 before a school-record crowd of 52,463.

Troy entered with a No. 11 national ranking in total defense. A week earlier, in a loss at Ohio State, the Trojans allowed only 309 total yards. Oklahoma State, with superior play by its offensive line, surpassed that figure in less than two quarters on Saturday.

OSU finished with 612 total yards (7.4 per play).

"I think (the Cowboys) can compete with Ohio State," Troy coach Larry Blakeney said.

Before traveling to Stillwater, Troy had surrendered only 109 rushing yards per game and 2.8 per attempt. The Cowboys, No. 2 nationally in rushing, ran for 358 yards (5.8 per attempt).

"We challenged our team to be physical this week," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said. "Offensively, I thought we were very physical."

Hunter, the Big 12's leading rusher, ran for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Toston had 114 yards and also scored twice. OSU's defense made plays as cornerback Jacob Lacey and end Jeremiah Price each had an interception, and safety-linebacker Andre Sexton forced and recovered a fumble. Following each of the Troy turnovers, the Cowboys capitalized with a touchdown.

When the Cowboys lost 41-23 at Troy last season, they were 1-2 and reeling. With Saturday's revenge win, OSU is 4-0 for the first time since 2004 and seems destined by make its first Associated Press Top 25 appearance since Gundy became head coach before the 2005 season.

When informed that Saturday's game had attracted the largest crowd in OSU history, Gundy said, "Good, that's great. I thought it was very loud. I thought the fan support was tremendous. It was a big-time stadium. The challenge now is to break the record again next week."

OSU's single-game attendance record had been 51,416 for the 1996 Bedlam loss to Oklahoma. Next week, in the Big 12 opener for both teams, the Cowboys host Texas A&M.

At Troy last year, Robinson made the first start of his career. He committed three turnovers. On Saturday, he was 16-of-21 passing for 254 yards. He and Bryant connected on touchdown pass plays of 16, 26 and 44 yards.

OSU got a touchdown on six of its first seven possessions.

"Offensively, our goal is to score every time we touch it," Robinson said. "Obviously, you can't do that. But if you have that mind-set, you have a chance to be a pretty good offense."

Bryant did all of his damage — six catches, 118 yards — during the first half.

OSU's other primary passing-game weapon, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, did not play after having missed several practices with a sprained ankle.

In the third period, OSU demoralized Troy during an 11-play, 99-yard touchdown possession. This drive was all about ground-game muscle. The Cowboys did not attempt a pass.

And in the fourth period, OSU deflated the visitors with a 16-play field-goal drive that consumed more than eight minutes.

The Trojans, members of the Sun Belt Conference, dropped to 2-2 as they finished with 416 total yards. Quarterback Jamie Hampton passed for 253 yards and three TDs, and he also led the Trojans in rushing (54 yards, nine attempts).

For only the second time in school history, the Cowboys have reached the 50-point mark in three consecutive games. OSU opened the 1988 season with scoring totals of 52, 52 and 56.

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

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THE 4-0 COWBOYS

For the 13th time in school history, the Oklahoma State football program has a 4-0 start. A review of the Cowboys’ seasons in which they started 4-0 or better:

Year	Start	Record	Bowl result
2004	5-0	7-5	Alamo Bowl loss
1997	6-0	8-4	Alamo Bowl loss
1988	4-0	10-2	Holiday Bowl win
1987	5-0	10-2	Sun Bowl win
1985	4-0	8-4	Gator Bowl loss
1984	4-0	10-2	Gator Bowl win
1983	4-0	8-4	Bluebonnet Bowl win
1975	4-0	7-4	No bowl
1945	9-0	9-0	Sugar Bowl win
1944	5-0	8-1	Cotton Bowl win
1914	5-0	6-2-1	No bowl
1912	5-0	6-2	No bowl

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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