Tulsa World: Stellar night for OSU defense

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Stellar night for OSU defense

Oklahoma State's Ugo Chinasa recovers a fumble by Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller as Fuller is tackled by Jacob Lacey (left) and Quinton Moore. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 10/5/2008 2:06 AM
Last Modified: 10/5/2008 2:20 AM

Cowboys force turnovers, snag interceptions to set the tone for big victory

STILLWATER — Difference-making plays were few and far between in the first month of the season for Oklahoma State's defense.

That was not the case in Saturday night's 56-28 home victory against Texas A&M.

The defense set the tone early to help the No. 21 Cowboys roll to their fifth consecutive victory to open the 2008 season.

"There has been so much talk go on outside of our building about the offense outscoring everybody," OSU coach Mike Gundy said. "They wonder if the defense can hold up."

The defense held up and held their own against the Aggies. There were many superlatives on this night.

OSU forced five Aggie turnovers, all in the first half. Entering the game, OSU had only forced six turnovers — three in last week's victory against Troy.

The Cowboys returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

Two of the three remaining turnovers forced came on OSU's side of the 50-yard line to curtail any momentum A&M hoped to build.

One of the goals defensive coordinator Tim Beckman has for every game is that the defense get off the field eight times by forcing either a turnover or holding the opponent without a first down.

The Cowboys met that goal in the first half.

"That's the name of the game," Beckman said.

Sophomore defensive end Ugo Chinasa and junior linebacker Patrick Lavine scored on interception returns of 6 and 22 yards, respectively, in the first half to help OSU build a 28-7 halftime lead. Their feats and Dez Bryant's 78-yard punt return for a touchdown helped the defense outscore the offense in the first half.

When is the last time that happened in Stillwater?

"Never," said a grinning Chisasa, who also recovered a first-quarter fumble.

Gundy said OSU's defense has stayed the course under Beckman despite enduring growing pains in the coordinator's two years in Stillwater. The OSU head coach pointed out that the game-changing plays not only kept OSU in the game when the Cowboys' potent offense was struggling in the first half, but provided momentum for the team as a whole.

The defensive players believe the first-half effort provided a statement that their unit can be counted on as the season progresses.

"We've all heard about whether the defense will be good enough to help the offense out," safety/linebacker Andre Sexton said. "People are starting to realize that, and we want to keep turning eyes each week."

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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