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Cowboys run game remains effective
Toston-led Cowboys' ground game tops Big 12.

Running back Keith Toston has rushed for 882 yards this season. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/12/2009  2:32 AM
Last Modified: 11/12/2009  5:03 AM
STILLWATER — In each of its five Big 12 games, Oklahoma State had a time-of-possession advantage. At Baylor, the difference was 17 minutes. At Iowa State, 20 minutes.

OSU's ground game has been a prominent factor in clock consumption. In spite of the Kendall Hunter injury and September personnel shuffling on the offensive line, the Cowboy run game has surged to its usual position atop the Big 12 statistical chart.

After running for 331 yards in a 34-8 victory at Iowa State, OSU surged from No. 4 to No. 1 in Big 12 rushing.

Entering Saturday's 7 p.m., ABC-televised home contest against Texas Tech, 17th-ranked OSU averages 196.0 yards per game and continues its bid for a fourth consecutive Big 12 rushing title.

"It would be quite an accomplishment," Cowboy co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said. "Any time you have a back rush for 200 or 100 yards, it sets the tone that you're a more physical football team."

Senior running back Keith Toston had a 206-yard, three-touchdown performance at Iowa State. At 882 yards overall, Toston is closing in on what would be an unprecedented feat at Oklahoma State — three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons by three different backs.

In 2007, Dantrell Savage ran for 1,272 yards. Last season, Kendall Hunter led the Big 12 with 1,555. Toston needs 118 more yards to become the 13th Cowboy player to reach the 1,000 mark in single-season yardage.

"If you're going to play tailback, this is a pretty good place to play tailback," OSU coach Mike Gundy said. "Just look at the history."

Until Hunter sustained a fractured foot on Sept. 12, Toston had been a career backup. Through his first three seasons as a Cowboy, there were only six games in which he had at least 10 carries. There were only three 100-yard performances.

In seven starts since Hunter was sidelined, Toston has been productive and durable. He carried 26 times (for 130 yards) at Texas A&M, 24 times against Missouri, 19 times against Texas and 25 times at Iowa State.

Because Toston has been so good for an offense that lost two All-Americans (Hunter and wide receiver Dez Bryant), he may get some All-Big 12 votes.

"You want your guys to get recognition, and Keith deserves it," said OSU's Andrew Mitchell, who started in place of injured right offensive tackle Brady Bond at Iowa State. Bond has an injured ankle, leaving Mitchell as the likely starter against Texas Tech.

"When someone rushes for 1,000 yards, it's a tangible thing for everybody — the running back, the linemen, the coaches," Mitchell said. "It (reflects) hard work and playing at a successful level."

"Anything Keith can earn is very well deserved," Gundy said. "He's done it the right way. He's never said a word. He gets beat on, he gets sore and he comes right back out for practice. He's driven, but he's not egotistical in the way that he handles himself. He's a throwback to the old days. You don't see many like him."

In his first significant action in nearly two months, Hunter carried nine times for 47 yards at Iowa State. He is expected to gradually become more involved, and the OSU ground game may be on the verge of being the best it has been all season.

OSU smothered Iowa State with the combination of strong run defense (the Cyclones were limited to 54 yards) and a strong run offense. In rolling to such a pronounced time-of-possession advantage, the Cowboys had as many rushing attempts (54) as Iowa State had total plays. The Cowboys had a 14-play possession and two 11-play possessions.

"You just don't understand how important it is," said OSU defensive coordinator Bill Young, referring to clock domination. "The old saying is that the best defense is a great offense. It's fantastic."

Young said the OSU defense would benefit from a significant time-of-possession edge over Texas Tech.

"A team like Texas Tech, they get frustrated if they don't have the football," Young said. "They want to run up and down the field and score points."

Three years, three backs

Running back Keith Toston is 118 yards from what would be an unprecedented feat at Oklahoma State — three consecutive 1,000- yard seasons by three different backs. He would join Kendall Hunter with 1,555 in 2008 and Dantrell Savage with 1,272 in 2007. A look at Toston’s performance this season:

Rushing yards by:
Opponent Team Toston
Georgia 172 55
Houston 194 66
Rice 124 75
Grambling State 321 84
Texas A&M 169 130
Missouri 124 87
Baylor 195 109
Texas 134 70
Iowa State 331 206
Season total 1,764 882


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

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COMMENTS 
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7 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Carlos, Tulsa (11/12/2009 5:59:49 PM)
Toston is a machine! I can't wait to see what he does in the Tech game.
Report Comment
Rhymeister, International (11/12/2009 5:40:43 PM)
Toston is a good RB, likely second best after a healthy Hunter and don't want to belittle his skills, but I will agree that he is a better receiver than Hunter, slightyly.

With this in mind, and I have been promoting this for a while, Ok State needs to play ball-control offense by running the ball successfully (which did not happen vs Texas). Be patient enough to work at it until successful. T-Tech is a VERY dangerous team, believe that, and OSU needs to run for 150 yards to win the game I believe.
Report Comment
PIRANA, Tulsa (11/12/2009 10:30:06 AM)
Go Pokes!!! Beat Texas Tech!!! GO KEITH!!!
Report Comment
boots&suites, Sapulpa (11/12/2009 11:35:10 PM)
has to be all big 12, keith finish out with 300 yards in the next 3 and your a lock.
Report Comment
Wes7788, Tulsa (11/12/2009 3:57:26 AM)
I've always thought that Toston was virtually as good an over all running back as Hunter. He's a different runner than Hunter. More of a slasher than a stop and go type. I think he's a little better catching the ball.
Report Comment
Big John 2009, (11/12/2009 12:25:11 PM)
It's been a blast to watch Keith Toston step in a do a great job. He's the Cowboy's offensive MVP if you ask me.

GO POKES BEAT TECH !!!!!!
Report Comment
BOBO1, (11/12/2009 9:36:21 AM)
OSU is tailback University. If I was a tailback recruit and felt that I was a really good player OSU would be my go to College. Gundy places a high priority in running the ball in a balanced offense. Both Toston and Hunter have different styles. With two really good backs and a strong line they can punish the defense. As the game gets going and the defense wears down look for some long runs. Congrats to both Hunter and Toston. And, looks like we have another great stable to take over in coming years. Go Pokes.
 

 
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