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Closing costs: In Texas series, second-half meltdowns curse Cowboys

Dejected Oklahoma State players leave the field while Texas celebrates a win in 2007 at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Longhorns rallied inthe fourth quarter to erase a 21-point OSU lead and steal the victory. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/21/2008  3:35 AM
Last Modified: 10/21/2008  3:06 PM

In Texas series, second-half meltdowns curse Cowboys



STILLWATER — From the Cowboy perspective, the Oklahoma State-Texas football series could be classified as a recurring nightmare.

The Cowboy record against Texas is 2-20. On Saturday, in a 2:30 p.m., ABC-televised Big 12 showdown, the No. 7 Cowboys challenge the top-ranked Longhorns at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

In the Bowl Championship Series standings, Texas is a rock-solid No. 1. Oklahoma State is No. 6.

The Cowboys have lost in their last 10 trips to Austin.

OSU has not won on Texas’ home field since 1944.

Recent meetings have been rife with heartache for the Cowboys. During the second half of each of the past five Texas contests, OSU has been outscored by a staggering total of 158-14.

In those five games, the Cowboys scored a grand total of one second-half offensive touchdown.

“It has been pretty amazing,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “I don’t think anybody here feels (cursed).

It never crosses my mind.”

In 2003, OSU was outscored 41-0 during the second half and lost 55-16.

In 2004 at Austin, the Cowboys roared to a first-half lead of 35-7, but wound up with a stunning 56-35 setback.

Last year in Stillwater, the Cowboys had a 35-14 cushion with 12minutes left to play.

Final score: Texas 38, Oklahoma State 35.

“There are some games that never leave you,” Gundy said. “Whatever side of your brain that records information and data, I’d like to be able to (eliminate) some of it.

But it never goes away.

“There’s nothing you can do about it, because it’s never going to change.”

The 2004 and 2007 OSU games are fondly remembered in Austin for being the two greatest comebacks in University of Texas football history. The Longhorns rallied from a 28-point hole in 2004 and from a 21-point deficit last year.

“If you look at our history, we’ve (rallied from substantial deficits) against a lot of teams,” Texas coach Mack Brown said. “It will have no bearing Saturday because this (OSU) team is so good. This is a different team.”

Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, the Big 12 sack leader with 7.5, has this memory of last year’s comeback at OSU: “Oklahoma State, for some reason, they jump on us every time. Guys don’t quit, though.

We were down 21 in the fourth quarter, and guys just kept fighting. We kept chipping at the scoreboard. It was one of those games that you never forget.”

The 2007 Texas-OSU clash was defined by brilliant quarterbacking.

The Cowboys’ Zac Robinson set a singlegame school for total offense (486 yards), while Texas’ Colt McCoy rushed for 106 yards and was 20-of-27 passing for 282 yards.

Robinson watched from the sideline as McCoy, during the final 73 seconds of play, drove the Longhorns 57 yards.

Texas nailed a 40-yard field goal as time expired.

“It was tough to watch — just not finishing the game as a team,” Robinson said.

“There were things we could have done as an offense and not put our defense in that situation.”

McCoy, who led Texas to a come-from-behind win over Oklahoma and was 29-of-32 passing in a blowout victory over Missouri, may be the Heisman Trophy frontrunner.

He has completed 81 percent of his passes this season and leads Texas in rushing with 371 yards.

McCoy says he hopes another dramatic rally won’t be required against OSU.

“I know I don’t want to put ourselves in that position again,”McCoy said. “Last year at their place, nothing was going right for us. It all finally clicked there at the end.

It was an awesome comeback.

They’re going to come in with a lot of confidence, and we’ve got to be ready to play.”



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



Texas dominance



During the second half of the past five OSU-Texas games, the Cowboys have been outscored by a combined total of 158-14.



2007: Texas 38, OSU 35 (at Stillwater)



With 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys led 35-14. Texas rallied with three touchdowns and a last-second field goal.



2006: Texas 36, OSU 10 (at Austin)



In this one, Texas was in control from the start. The Longhorns had a 20-3 halftime advantage.



2005: Texas 47, OSU 28 (at Stillwater)



The first Mike Gundy-coached OSU team surged to a 28-9, first-half cushion, but the eventual national-champion Longhorns crushed the Cowboys in the second half.



2004: Texas 56, OSU 35 (at Austin)



One of the more infamous defeats in OSU history. The Cowboys led 35-7 late in the first half. Texas answered with 49 unanswered points.



2003: Texas 55, OSU 16 (at Stillwater):



In a nationally televised game, OSU led 16-14 at halftime. Texas outscored OSU 41-0 during the second half.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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15 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
zrs, Tulsa, Claremore (10/21/2008 8:14:38 AM)
Somehow, I believe it can happen. A miracle might be needed, but I believe.
Report Comment
guy, Tulsa (10/21/2008 8:25:23 AM)
Go Pokes!!
Report Comment
Dad, Up North (10/21/2008 8:27:41 AM)
Just keep the hammer down. Go pokes!!
Report Comment
jhpoke, Stockbridge (10/21/2008 8:48:58 AM)
It's great we are going to play Texas when it means something. The only downside is we are going to hear about the great fold, over and over and over. No fold this time. Go Pokes!
Report Comment
Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (10/21/2008 8:49:44 AM)
At this point nothing surprises me- GO POKES!!!!!
Report Comment
sodypoke, (10/21/2008 9:27:39 AM)
I just have to believe they can do it. We got a lot closer last year, this is the year we hand it to em.
Report Comment
SS_hippy, Tulsa (10/21/2008 9:35:36 AM)
yep against Texas it has been slim 'Pickens' for T Boone's team
Report Comment
Dave in Houston, Houston (10/21/2008 11:21:13 AM)
So far the Pokes have performed very well. The Mizzou game was a pleasant surprise. I still stand by my earlier statement that I reserve "belief" in this team pending their showing in Austin. If this is same ole OSU of years past, we can expect the midnight clock to strike on this Cinderella team. If they learned their lessons from the 4th quarter meltdowns of years past and they are for real then it should be a great game. If the game is still close in the 4th I like our chances this time around. Based on the Mizzou game it appears this team has more grit than in the past.

Go Pokes!!!
Report Comment
Bluebird48, Sand Springs (10/21/2008 4:55:49 PM)
you guys have got to be kidding me.......no way.

pray that it will be a game worth watching.
Report Comment
Icefighters, Muskogee (10/21/2008 8:04:43 PM)
If OSU can go up 35-0 they might just hold on to a 35-31 victory! The Biggest win in OSU History! This time the Horns have the Meltdown.
Report Comment
Icefighters, Muskogee (10/21/2008 8:06:58 PM)
ARe you pondering what I'm pondering? OSU takes over the BCS world!
Report Comment
MexiMike, tulsa (10/21/2008 8:13:57 PM)
People act like if OSU loses that a great season is done for. That's ridiculous! It's one loss! AND to the best team in the nation! If they lose by a TD, I will be ok. Not happy. But ok that we hung in with them on their own field. Then there are 4 more games to play, 3 of which are extremely winable. 10-2 season? I'll take it.
Report Comment
Hijinx, (10/21/2008 8:33:09 PM)
Ok Cowboys, bring back some Bevo steak!
Report Comment
soonbeleavin, (10/21/2008 8:50:26 PM)
MexiMke - You are 100% correct. It's a step in the right direction. I will be thrilled if they can hang in and make it a game. Of course I would prefer that they win and I think they can if they play smart. They have been fun to watch this year. I recently moved out of state and love the fact that the Pokes are getting national attention!
Report Comment
texasbill, (10/22/2008 6:30:33 AM)
OSU WINS!!!!! if you don't believe > then watch the game . BOOMER SOONER! O STATE WINS!!! longhorns worst game of the year is going to be credited to o state defence. time clock dominated by THE OSU COWBOYS!! GO POKES this all from a sooner fan. boomer sooner . pokes win the big 12!!!! a little cowboy magic!!!!
 

 
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