The Oklahoma State Cowboys road to New Orleans was not impeded Saturday afternoon by the Texas Tech Red Raiders – like was the case for rival Oklahoma. Quite the contrary actually, as the Pokes ran right through Texas Tech, defeating the Red Raiders 66-6 guns a blazing, as a game with the Sooners looms on the horizon.
Oklahoma State (10-0, 7-0 Big 12) had fifteen drives Saturday versus Texas Tech (5-5, 2-5 Big 12); they punted once – on their final drive of the game – fumbled twice, and in between it all was complete domination.
Oklahoma State continued to quiet any concern that they may not be for real. This team known formerly for meltdowns seems to be the real deal.
Oklahoma State’s 66 points was the highest number of points in the all-time series between the Cowboys and the Red Raiders – as Oklahoma State surpassed the 50-point mark for the sixth time this season. (60-point mark three times)
Brandon Weeden surpassed the 400-yard passing mark for the third time this season and threw for five touchdowns for the second time as it was a pitch-and-catch clinic. Weeden also extended his streak to 23 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass. With Brandon Weeden at quarterback, Oklahoma State improved to 21-2 overall and 11-0 on the road – both impressive records as he put his best foot forward for an invitation to New York City at the Heisman Trophy presentation.
There was a new wrinkle to Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon, and it came in the form of a solid pass defense. Oklahoma State, which came into the game as the 99th ranked pass defense going against the 6th ranked passing offense in Texas Tech held Red Raiders quarterback Seth Doege to a season-low 169 yards.
“If he (Doege) doesn’t play well, we don’t compete very well” said Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville after the game.
Oklahoma State, also the 99th ranked rush defense in the country, did not give up anything on the ground either, holding the Red Raiders to 101 yards rushing as a team.
Before Texas Tech knew what hit them, Oklahoma State was up 21-0 in the first quarter as they ran it, threw it and, basically, did whatever it was they wanted to do Saturday afternoon in Lubbock.
When you face an offense as lethal as that of Oklahoma State the last thing you want to do is turn the ball over, and Texas Tech did that three times in the first half. Oklahoma State made them pay.
Justin Blackmon, who scored a touchdown for the 21st time in his last 22 games, continued his drive for the Biletnikoff award with a 6 reception, 103 yard 2 touchdown performance Saturday. Blackmon’s fellow receiver Josh Cooper is now slouch either, as he extended his own streak of 26 straight games with a reception. Cooper had six receptions of his own for 106 yards.
With the Oregon Ducks dropping Stanford from the ranks of the unbeaten, the path and goal has become even more crystal clear for the Cowboys.
Next Friday night Oklahoma State will travel to Iowa State, as they now sit two games shy of a BCS Championship Game berth.
The stage is set for Oklahoma State. Can they close the deal?
Oklahoma State Records Watch:
- Brandon Weeden’s 423 yards passing set the sixth-best single-game mark in school history. He owns four of the top six marks in school history.
- Brandon Weeden’s first-quarter touchdown pass to Josh Stewart brought his career total to 66, matching Zac Robinson’s school record. His second quarter scoring pass to Isaiah Anderson gave him sole possession of the record. He went on to add three more touchdown passes in the game to bring his career total to 69.
- With three rushing touchdowns Saturday, Joseph Randle tied Terry Miller for second on the OSU single-season rushing touchdown list. He now has 21.
- With three touchdowns Saturday, Joseph Randle now has 138 points scored this season, moving him to third on the OSU single-season scoring chart, past Dez Bryant’s 2008 season (128 points) and Justin Blackmon’s 2010 campaign (132 points).
- Quarterback Brandon Weeden passed Mike Gundy for second on the Oklahoma State career passing yards list Saturday. He finished with 423 yards to up his career total to 8,168 yards. Gundy passed for 7,997 yards in his career from 1986-89.
- Receiver Justin Blackmon passed Hart Lee Dykes for second on OSU’s career list. He finished with 103 yards to up his career total to 3,184 yards. Dykes had 3,171 receiving yards from 1985-88.
- With 106 receiving yards Saturday, receiver Josh Cooper now has 1,506 career receiving yards, which moves him from 13th to ninth on OSU’s career list
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