Tulsa World: Young faces Aggies, again

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Young faces Aggies, again
Defensive coordinator led teams to wins over Texas A&M in 2007, '08.

OSU's Bill Young works his players during practice. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/2/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 10/2/2009 6:27 AM

STILLWATER When No. 14 Oklahoma State opens Big 12 play at Texas A&M on Oct. 10, Cowboy defensive coordinator Bill Young will compete at Kyle Field for the third straight season.

In 2007, Young was Kansas' defensive coordinator. The Jayhawks won 19-11 at A&M, limiting the Aggies to 74 rushing yards.

Last year, Young was the defensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.). The Hurricanes prevailed 41-23 at A&M. The Miami defense forced two turnovers and held the Aggies to 87 rushing yards.

Televised by Fox Sports Net, the OSU-A&M contest is set for 11:30 a.m. Young will see a more formidable Aggie offense than the ones he shut down in 2007 and 2008.

Last year, Texas A&M was 78th nationally in total offense, 114th in rushing and 64th in scoring. This season, having prevailed in three home games against soft opponents (New Mexico, Utah State and UAB), the Aggies momentarily are a statistical juggernaut.

Entering Saturday's ESPN2-televised meeting with Arkansas at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Aggies are No. 1 nationally in total offense (574 yards per game), seventh in rushing (244-yard average) and fourth in scoring (45 points per game).

"We're looking forward to getting into the Big 12," Young said. "Texas A&M is a much-improved football team. Their quarterback (junior Jerrod Johnson) is playing much better than he did last year, and their offensive line is much better than it was.

"It looks like their receivers are playing well and they have a stable of running backs. Plus, it's a great environment for football, but it's a tough environment for a visiting team."

Last season, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Johnson averaged 203 passing yards per game and was intercepted 10 times. This season, he has completed 68 percent of his passes for 320 yards per game. He has not been intercepted while throwing nine touchdown passes.

Injury update: When OSU begins Texas A&M preparation on Monday, it will be interesting to learn which of the injured Cowboys participates in a complete sense.

The status of running back Kendall Hunter (sprained ankle), wide receiver Dez Bryant (strained hamstring) and cornerback Perrish Cox (sprained shoulder) remains uncertain. Defensive end Jermiah Price, sidelined for two games after surgery on a torn thumb ligament, is expected to play with a soft cast on his hand.

Time for family: Oklahoma State's only open date of the season falls on Saturday, but coach Mike Gundy says he won't be watching games on TV. His sons Gavin and Gunnar have football games of their own on Saturday, and, Gundy says, the youngest son, Gage, "will want to fish."

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be" than with his sons, Gundy said. "There won't be much of a chance to watch TV."

Different environment: For decades, the OSU program drew home crowds that typically ranged from 35,000 to 45,000. Each of this season's four home games has drawn a crowd of at least 50,875. The current average is 53,148.

"As coaches, we're focused on the game, (so) I'm not really sure how loud it is," Gundy said. "But I know people that come to the games (and) I continue to hear from them that the stadium has gotten louder in the last couple of years, and it's exceptionally loud this year.

"As a coach and a player, it's very encouraging with the support. The fans really get into third downs now when the defense is out there."

OSU's first conference home game is set for homecoming weekend. On Oct. 17, unbeaten Missouri visits Boone Pickens Stadium.

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

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