Tulsa World: Hunter needs a big Saturday

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Hunter needs a big Saturday

OSU's Kendall Hunter is 45 yards shy of becoming the 17th player in school history to reach 1,000 yards in a season. DARYL WILSON/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/20/2008 2:05 AM
Last Modified: 10/20/2008 4:52 AM

When Oklahoma State challenges top-ranked Texas this week, one of the smaller participants will play a huge role.

Kendall Hunter, the 5-foot-8 Cowboy sophomore, leads the Big 12 and is sixth nationally in rushing (136.4 yards per game).

Can he get 100 yards against the Longhorns?

Against a tremendous Texas run defense, can he even get 45?

Hunter is 45 yards shy of becoming the 17th Cowboy to reach the 1,000 mark in a single season.

The OSU spread offense most effectively functions when the ground game is good. In 16 of their last 18 games, the Cowboys have had at least one 100-yard rusher.

In last year's 38-35 loss to Texas, Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson had a sensational passing performance — 30-of-42 for 430 yards. The rushing yards didn't come easy, but OSU never wavered in its commitment to rush the football. On 45 attempts, the Cowboys netted 164 important yards.

The 2008 Texas defense is significantly better than the 2007 model. The Longhorns are No. 2 nationally against the run, allowing only 48.1 yards per game.

"They've got big, fast guys who make plays. They've always had that," OSU coach Mike Gundy said. "We like to run the football. If you become one-dimensional, you limit your ability to move the ball and score points."

It's a classic confrontation — OSU's ground attack (the best in the Big 12) against the Longhorn run defense (the best in the Big 12).

To have a shot at the upset, OSU can't rely

solely on Dez Bryant for big plays. Hunter, Keith Toston and Zac Robinson need a combined total of 180-or-so rushing yards.

Last season, OSU's Dantrell Savage averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored nine rushing touchdowns. He was an All-Big 12 selection.

One game beyond the midway mark of this season, Hunter is averaging 6.3 yards per attempt and has scored nine rushing TDs. At season's end, Hunter will be a member of the All-Big 12 team. If he can rush for 100 yards against mighty Texas, he would become an extremely viable All-American candidate.

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

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Rhymeister, Tulsa (10/20/2008 5:09:25 PM)

Spud can put up 100 on Texas but he needs the line to be clicking and for Zac, Dez and the rest of the Boys to be clicking on all cylinders. I think they'll play well and surprise some people. Hopefully UT has an off game as well.

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