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Toston carries the load
Senior running back delivers another clutch performance for OSU.

Keith Toston reached the 1,000-yard mark on Thursday night and finished with 172 yards rushing in Oklahoma State's 31-28 victory over Colorado. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World
 
By MATT BAKER World Sports Writer
Published: 11/20/2009  2:34 AM
Last Modified: 11/20/2009  7:00 AM

 STILLWATER — With an injured All-American out of action in the start of conference play, Oklahoma State tailback Keith Toston kept the Cowboys' season alive with a 1,000-yard season.

With another hurt OSU star on the sidelines of Boone Pickens Stadium on Thursday, Toston kept the Cowboys' Fiesta Bowl hopes alive with a 172-yard night.

"He has been unnoticed," co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said, "and it's a shame because of what he's been able to do for this football team and this program, kind of staying in the shadows of other guys that have been there."

Toston filled in for Kendall Hunter early in the season after he went down with a foot injury. And Toston was called on to bail out an ailing offense against Colorado, with starting quarterback Zac Robinson on the sideline and replacement Alex Cate struggling. Toston rushed 14 times for 82 yards in the first half.

The senior became the 13th Cowboys tailback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season with a 7-yard carry midway through the second quarter. His 30-carry, 172-yard performance boosted his season total to 1,130 yards — the 14th-best mark in OSU history.

He's the third Cowboy tailback in the last three years to rush for 1,000 yards. Dantrell Savage ran for 1,272 in 2007, and Hunter rushed for 1,555 last season year.

"Everything that Keith gets, he deserves because of his work ethic and the kind of character that he has," OSU coach Mike Gundy said.

Toston came up biggest in the second half. With the Cowboys trailing 21-10 with 3:52 left in the third quarter, he busted a 45-yard run up the middle for a touchdown.

Two drives later, Toston faked a block and slid into the soft spot in the middle of the field. He caught a pass from Brandon Weeden and rumbled 47 yards for a score.

Toston added a trio of bruising runs up the middle to set up two first downs on the final possession. Those carries helped run out the clock on OSU's ninth win of the year and kept the Cowboys alive for a possible BCS bowl berth.

"It's big," Toston said. "Any time you have guys that you come together with, you feel like they're your brothers. We all work with each other out there on the field. Any time you can get big wins and help drive this program, it's big. It's something I won't forget."



Toston joins 1,000-yard club

Keith Toston became the 13th Cowboy to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season with a 7-yard carry in the second quarter. It’s the 18th 1,000-yard season in school history. The others:

Barry Sanders (1988): 2,628

Ernest Anderson (1982): 1,877

Terry Miller (1977): 1,680

Gerald Hudson (1990): 1,642

Thurman Thomas (1987): 1,613

Kendall Hunter (2008): 1,555

Thurman Thomas (1985): 1,553

Terry Miller (1976): 1,541

David Thompson (1996): 1,524

David Thompson (1995): 1,509

Vernand Morency (2004): 1,474

Tatum Bell (2003): 1,286

Dantrell Savage (2007): 1,272

Tatum Bell (2002): 1,096

Reggie White (2000): 1,049

Bob Fenimore (1945): 1,048

Terry Miller (1975): 1,026

Matt Baker 581-8358
matt.baker@tulsaworld.com
By MATT BAKER 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
Pawhuska1965, (11/20/2009 6:39:17 AM)
Keith did a great job! We are sure glad we have him. Must always carry the ball tight!
Report Comment
Rhymeister, International (11/20/2009 7:23:19 AM)
He's had a very nice season but that fumble really changed the tide of the game. Has to be aware of that which is why he didn't play much last season, they punished him, too harshly I thought, for fumbling early on.
Report Comment
OUuglystepdaughter, golden (11/20/2009 9:05:53 AM)
Thank god for Weeden. He came in cold, without a single offensive play in college and won it for the Cowboys. Next up, those Sooners. GO POKES!!!!!
Report Comment
MexiMike, Tulsa (11/20/2009 9:33:29 AM)
Rymeister, I think you referring to two years ago when he was benched for fumbling. He actually had a really good junior year last year. It just so happened that Hunter was so good last year that it was hard not to keep him in the backfield.
Report Comment
Carlos, Tulsa (11/20/2009 11:22:43 AM)
Toston is a machine!
Report Comment
BOBO1, (11/20/2009 11:23:11 AM)
Toston is the toughest runner on the team...his legs are always moving...he never quits. Hunter is the faster runner and misses rather than running through the tackles. What a great combination. I saw us use both at the same tome on the field...looks like another look for the defense to consider. Add a mobile quarterback like Zaz to the equation and this really gives the opponents defense something to look at. I do not think we have executed very well compared to last year. I hope we really click come OU. Thank you Offensive line...none of the above would happen without you guys up front.
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skippy1, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:07:47 PM)
This is an exciting team to watch. Can't wait to see them kick some OU butt!
 

 
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