OKLAHOMA STATE coach Mike Gundy was back to normal a day after what could have been a season-turning victory and a stunning postgame news conference where he defended of one of his players.

The victory, an incredible 49-45 marathon over Texas Tech, was a thing of beauty. It was offensive football at its best among two of the top practitioners in the college game.

"When you win, you feel better about yourself," Gundy said Sunday.

Just a week after an embarrassing loss at Troy State, OSU breathed life back into its season in an entertaining offensive show with the Red Raiders.

"It's good to get back on the winning track," Gundy said.

The Cowboys, somewhat of a disappointment through four games, showed they may become a factor in the Big 12 Conference if they can find a way to improve a leaky defense.

The same could be said at the University of Tulsa, knocked around by high-flying Oklahoma 62-21 on Friday night at Chapman Stadium.

TU again ran up some impressive numbers on offense, getting nearly 400 yards on the Sooners.

"We had some breakdowns and we'll learn from it," OU coach Bob Stoops said Sunday. "I think all experience helps you. We need to get better and I think we will."

Still, the Sooners remain one of the hottest teams in the country after four games. OU hasn't been held to less than 50 points all year.

That should help some of the sting Tulsa feels from the lopsided loss.

Still, giving up nearly 1,300 yards in its last two games is not encouraging regardless of the opponent (BYU, 694; OU, 553).

For the Sooners, it was just more of the same as Sam Bradford continues to be the nation's most accurate passer.

That, coupled with a fierce run game, makes OU a dangerous threat on the national scene.

"We're playing well to this point," Stoops said. "We've got to keep getting better through the year."

Gundy seemed more relaxed and back to the norm during his weekly Sunday teleconference with local reporters.

The outburst, a post-game defense of former starting QB Bobby Reid, is sure to win him plenty of friends in coaching circles and with players.

Gundy, obviously red-hot over an article that he felt attacked Reid's character, lashed out at an Oklahoma City paper.

He said he wouldn't change a thing about his postgame comments although he admitted it "probably wasn't very well prepared."

Gundy said, "I shot from the hip."

However, any fallout from the comments is likely to be far overshadowed in the bigger picture of this season. In other words, the 49-45 victory is much more likely to have a lasting impact on this season than anything he said during the early evening hours of Saturday.

The comments will likely be long forgotten if O-State uses the victory over Tech as a springboard for some big things.

And, if losses start to build, it'll become his ability to coach and win games that will be a much larger factor than anything he said. As such, Gundy seemed to be attempting to point his team in a new direction -- especially on defense.

OSU's offense, even with Dantrell Savage still apparently hobbled, is once again becoming a lethal weapon.

"We're a different team when Dantrell plays for us," Gundy said.

Zac Robinson has settled into his new role as starter and looks like a veteran. That, along with outstanding receivers and improving run game, makes OSU a threat most weekends.

OSU's defense must get better. It can't continue to give up huge chunks of yardage. A big part of it seems to be the lack of a pass rush.

"We'll continue to try to find ways to put pressure on the passer," Gundy said.