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Gundy, OSU still chasing 'big dogs'
Cowboys are 0-8 against Texas, OU under head coach.

OSU coach Mike Gundy complains to head linesman George Gusman about a call during the Texas A&M game two weeks ago. Gundy is a combined 0-8 as head coach against Texas and OU. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World
 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/27/2009  2:23 AM
Last Modified: 10/27/2009  4:08 AM

 STILLWATER — As Oklahoma State's head football coach, Mike Gundy has led the Cowboys to top-10 national rankings. He has two bowl victories. OSU has been among college football's best in scoring, total offense and rushing.

Of OSU's last 20 games, 14 have been televised. Gundy's Cowboys have beaten every team in the Big 12 — except for Texas and Oklahoma.

"Those are the big dogs in our conference," OSU running back Keith Toston said. "For us to take the next step toward a Big 12 championship, the road runs through them."

Gundy-coached Cowboy teams are a combined 0-8 against the Longhorns and Sooners. The Texas series has been particularly maddening.

At Boone Pickens Stadium in 2005, Gundy's first Cowboy team failed to hold a 16-point, second-half lead against Texas.

In 2007, again on their home field, the Cowboys led by 21 points with 12 minutes left to play. The Longhorns rallied for a 38-35 triumph.

At Austin last year, against a Texas team ranked No. 1, the Cowboys lost 28-24 as Zac Robinson's final-play pass was knocked down at the Longhorn 5-yard line.

"We've been really close, and it's been frustrating that we haven't been able to finish it off," Robinson said.

In Saturday's 7 p.m., ABC-televised contest, the 13th-ranked Cowboys (6-1 overall, 3-0 Big 12) once again take a shot at the third-ranked Longhorns (7-0, 4-0).

The Halloween showdown, matching the only two teams still unbeaten in conference play, is expected to draw a sellout crowd to Boone Pickens Stadium.

"I've never shied away from the attempt to (beat Texas)," Gundy said. "We're going to put a plan together and go try to win this game. That's what we're going to do."

Cowboy players "believe in each other, and we believe in them," Gundy said. "I think they feel good about themselves right now."

During his news conference Monday, Gundy was asked to reflect on OSU's last two Texas games. Is he encouraged the Cowboys were on the brink of conquering Texas, or sickened the Cowboys failed to capitalize on such grand opportunities?

"Both," Gundy said. "You relive games in your mind forever. You think about them all the time (while) driving down the road. You may think of something that happened four years ago. You think of something that could have changed that game. Just living for today is the easiest way to handle that."

As OSU guns for sole possession of the Big 12 South lead, Texas attempts to preserve its bid for a national championship.

"I look forward to the game because they're a ranked team and we're a ranked team, and it's national TV and both are great teams," said Texas coach Mack Brown, who is 11-0 against Oklahoma State. "We've had great games with them."

Brown expressed respect for the way that Gundy has piloted the Cowboys through the turbulence caused by running back Kendall Hunter's ankle-foot injury and wide receiver Dez Bryant's indefinite suspension. Bryant is expected to be sidelined for a fifth consecutive game.

Hunter, who last season rushed for 161 yards against Texas, has not played since the Sept. 12 loss to Houston. His status remains uncertain.

"I really admire Mike and their staff for what they've done," Brown said. "They just move forward. They don't talk about it. Anyiam (Cowboy wide receiver Hubert Anyiam) has got 19 receptions the last two games, so he has stepped in for Dez.

"Keith Toston was an alternating back anyway, and he's done a great job for Kendall Hunter. I think Mike and that staff have done one of the great coaching jobs this year in the country."

OSU vs. Texas

7 p.m. Saturday

TV: KTUL-8

Radio: KFAQ am1170, KRVT am12270

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

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6 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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ex_okie_in_TX, (10/27/2009 7:40:03 AM)
100% guarantee you, Dez Bryant will be magically re-instated, right AFTER this game. If you don't think there is any collusion or back-channel deals going on between the "big dogs in the conference" and the NCAA, you're sadly mistaken. It's run like Chicago in 1932, people just don't realize it.
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C SQUARED , MANNFORD (10/27/2009 12:53:08 PM)
Collusion?....I want him back as much as the next fan but i dont think its shady he lied i think its just politics for loosing all that money to the baseball player settlement and that that cant pin Reggie Bush because all he did was stall them out by saying no...Just like the NCAA is doing now stalling cause they can
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forkandknife, Tulsa (10/27/2009 4:29:53 PM)
HOOOOOOOK EM' HORNS!!
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GoldenDriller1, Out of Town (10/27/2009 4:42:02 PM)
Gundy... you got that right... "Still chasing the big dogs.."
Report Comment
TMS, (10/27/2009 5:49:19 PM)
Gundy didn't say "chasing the big dogs". Toston did...pay attention dip.
Report Comment
SUEA, MESQUITE (10/28/2009 3:00:20 PM)
keep chasin' Pokes........Sooners fell short by 3...........Aggies fall short by 2 touchdowns
 

 
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