Tulsa World: Hunter carries heavy load

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Hunter carries heavy load

Kendall Hunter leads the Big 12 at 130.4 rushing yards per game. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/26/2008 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/26/2008 3:24 AM

OSU running game must be strong against OU

During the second half of the Nov. 15 game at Colorado, Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter sustained what was believed to have been a minor leg injury. Cowboy coach Mike Gundy would not specify the nature or severity of the injury.

On Monday, after having practiced for two hours, Hunter was asked about his condition for this week's Bedlam clash with Oklahoma.

A man of few words, Hunter's response was typically concise: "I'm good."

If Hunter isn't "good" and productive against the third-ranked Sooners, the 11th-ranked Cowboys could falter. Hunter has rushed for 1,434 yards (6.8 per attempt). He leads the Big 12 at 130.4 yards per game. OU's DeMarco Murray is next at 84.5.

Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson and backup running backs Keith Toston and Beau Johnson have a combined total of 1,407 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Everyone within the Cowboy camp agrees on the importance of running successfully on Saturday.

OSU has a tradition of effectively rushing the football — and a tradition of struggling to run the football against OU.

In 2003, the Cowboys averaged 218 rushing yards per game. Against the Sooners, OSU ran 37 times for 99 yards.

In 2004, OSU averaged 237 rushing yards. Against OU, the Cowboys netted only 150 yards on 41 attempts. In 2006, when they ranked No. 7 nationally in rushing with a 208-yard average, the Cowboys managed only 119 against OU.

"If you look at the history, (the Sooners') rush defense has been pretty good against everybody they've played," Gundy said. "They've always been very good in the interior. Their tackles have always been big and strong. Their ends have been fast guys. Their linebackers have all played in the NFL.

"I think if you tie that all in together, it makes for a difficult time to run the football. But we're going to try to run the football. We always have, and we always will. I think if we become one-dimensional, it will be a serious disadvantage for our offense."

Against Houston, Hunter ran for a career-high 212 yards.

At Missouri, he rushed for 154 yards. At Texas, he ran for 161 (8.9 per carry).

"Someone mentioned to me the other day that (Hunter) might be an All-American," Gundy said. "I don't know who out there is better. If you go by yards per carry, nobody can touch him."

Ten of Hunter's 14 touchdowns were on runs of longer than 20 yards.

In nine games this season, he has reached the 100-yard mark.

"Kendall's best games have been in our biggest games," Cowboy center David Washington said. "Our offensive line is a lot more mature and on the same page. We should be able to open it up for him and give him opportunities."

Said Gundy: "It all comes down to us blocking and (Hunter) making plays. If we put him in a position to have success, in most cases he's been pretty good."

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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