Tulsa World: OSU Notebook

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OSU Notebook

By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer
Published: 10/1/2008 2:06 AM
Last Modified: 10/1/2008 2:53 AM

Building blocks: Oklahoma State's offensive line doesn't have a fancy nickname like OSU's 1988 unit. The "War Pigs" cleared paths for Barry Sanders to run to the Heisman Trophy.

The lack of a moniker or any grand recognition suits the Cowboys just fine. They are simply concerned with doing the jobs on a weekly basis.

"Coach Wick (offensive line coach Joe Wickline) calls us soft. But he just says that to make us play harder," junior guard Andrew Lewis said.

Yet for all the success OSU's offense has achieved the first four games, Lewis said the offensive line can still do better. He described the line play as average. The term "average" has been a common term Wickline and OSU head coach Mike Gundy have used to evaluate the line play after strong offensive performances.

"I just feel that we all can play much better." Lewis said. "We all can play harder. Coach Wickline showed us plays that we could have broke for long touchdowns if we just made a little block here or there."

Gundy, though, has changed his tune a bit by stating the line play has been "good, not great."

The beneficiaries of the line's play have nothing but praise for their teammates.

"They have been tremendous," running back Keith Toston said. "We don't need a big hole, but they have created holes that have spread the entire field open."

Statement time: All season, OSU players and coaches have worn orange bracelets inscribed with "Big 12 Champs, Dec. 6, 2008."

The first step toward accomplishing that objective comes Saturday in the conference opener against Texas A&M.

"This is what we've talked about from the first day we handed them these bracelets. This is what fighting for Dec. 6 is all about," defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said.

Said defensive tackle Shane Jarka: "I have given thought to the meaning of the bracelet and we believe we can be Big 12 champs if we put all our heart and desire into it."

Lane change: Texas A&M senior running back Jorvorskie Lane has played a significant role in the Aggies' victories over OSU the past three seasons. Lane has 241 yards and six rushing TDs in the three games, and caught the winning 10-yard scoring pass in last year's 24-23 A&M win.

Lane has been limited the first month of this season due to first-year coach Mike Sherman's demand for him to lose weight. Texas A&M lists Lane's weight at 270 pounds, but Lane admitted he weighed 307 pounds when preseason practice started.

"He's geared it down a little bit. We need to continue to head in that direction, and hopefully it will," Sherman said.

Climbing the charts: Zac Robinson enters the Texas A&M game ranked fifth in OSU history in total offense with 5,101 yards. Robinson is nearing the two players in front of him. Tony Lindsay (1997-2000) is third with 5,355 yards and Tone Jones (1993-1996) is fourth with 5,303 yards. By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer

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