Tulsa World: OSU Notebook

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OSU Notebook

By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer
Published: 11/5/2008 2:10 AM
Last Modified: 11/5/2008 2:58 AM

New alignment: Derek Burton's position is listed as defensive end.

But more often than not, the Oklahoma State junior from Muskogee has been lining up at defensive tackle.

When the Cowboys play at Texas Tech on Saturday night, Burton likely will line up several times at defensive tackle.

Using Burton in that role is part of a special defensive front OSU defensive coordinator Tim Beckman devised to create more pass rush.

Jeremiah Price and Ugo Chinasa line up at their regular defensive end spots with Burton in between them.

Linebacker Donald Booker plays a standup position where he can either rush from the edge or drop back into pass coverage.

"It's working well so far. It's helped our defense move forward and we're playing better," Burton said. "I'm happy about it."

Beckman first used the alignment at Missouri one month ago and it helped the Cowboys slow down the Chase Daniel-led offense.

The Cowboys have continued to employ it more each week.

OSU has recorded 32 tackles for lost yardage in the past four games. In the first five games this year, the Cowboys only had 18 tackles for lost yardage.

No comparisons needed: OSU standout receiver Dez Bryant appears to be the main threat to Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree for the Biletnikoff Award, given to college football's top receiver. Crabtree won the award last year.

Bryant and Crabtree both have 15 touchdown receptions to share the nation's lead

with Rice's Jarett Dillard.

But Bryant has more yards than the Tech standout (1,054-921) on 10 fewer receptions (60 Bryant, 70 Crabtree).

But playing the comparison game — whether it's style, statistics or impact to team — does not appease Bryant.

"I really don't like being compared to anybody," Bryant said. "I'm me. I'm my own player. Me and Crab are two different types of players playing in two different offenses. That's a big difference. That's enough said right there."

One that got away: Bryant had four touchdown receptions last week against Iowa State. It was almost five.

Bryant had a leaping catch in which he corralled the ball with his left hand, but it was incomplete because one of his feet came down out of bounds.

"I saw it on replay. That catch was crazy," Bryant said. "But it was a good call."

Trying for nine: OSU is seeking its ninth victory this season Saturday at Texas Tech. If the Cowboys achieve that feat, it would only be the seventh time in program history OSU has won at least nine games. It also would be the fourth time in the past 21 years (1987, 1988 and 2003) OSU has won nine games. By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer

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