OSU REPORT CARD
Night games at Texas Tech never seem to disappoint on delivering drama. Oklahoma State escaped with a 41-34 victory, and the grades reflect the close-call nature of this one.
Tackling
AMuch, much, much improved. Even from the first drive, you could see the Cowboys would tackle better against Texas Tech than they did against TCU. Ramon Richards had back-to-back tackles on that first series that dropped the ball-carrier at the point of contact. It was a sign of things to come. Sure, the Cowboys weren’t perfect in their tackling, but as Cowboy coach Mike Gundy told the on-field TV reporter at halftime, it was much better.
Justice Hill
The sophomore running back was spectacular. Again. A week after running extremely hard and tough against TCU, Hill did the same against Texas Tech. He rolled up 164 yards on 30 carries. Thirty. A week ago, Gundy said 20-plus carries for Hill was not ideal. You don’t want that much wear and tear. But pretty clearly, Hill can handle it. Even excel with it.
Special teams
Nearly cost the Cowboys the win. Kicker Matt Ammendola missed two chip-shot field goals, the second of them coming in crunch time late in the game. The Cowboys may have to consider a change at kicker on those short-yardage field goals. Ammendola’s been great with extra points and long field goals. It’s the shorties that get him. Special teams don't get an F grade only because of Devin Harper’s blocked field goal in the third quarter. The Cowboys had been close to a block several times in their first four games, but Harper finally came through.
Unforced errors
CAfter a ton of unforced errors a week ago, the Cowboys played a much cleaner game – until the fourth quarter. Early on, they didn’t have a bunch of penalties that were stupid or unnecessary, but Mason Rudolph’s pick-six at the beginning of the game was an overthrow on a play where he wasn’t really pressured. Can’t throw that bad of ball in near-perfect conditions. But late in the game, the Cowboys got careless. Rodarius Williams had a facemask well after a Texas Tech touchdown that led to the Red Raiders’ surprise onside kick. Tyron Johnson had a drop when he was wide open. Ammendola missed that second field goal.
Cornerbacks
A rough night for the cornerbacks. Then again, lots of cornerbacks have had lots of rough nights against Texas Tech. A.J. Green was called for pass interference in the end zone late in the first quarter; the Red Raiders scored two plays later. Then Green looked to injury his shoulder late in the second quarter. A few plays after that, Adrian Baker was called for pass interference in the end zone. But a few plays later, Baker got a fingertip on a pass in the end zone and forced Tech to kick a field goal. Frankly, that sequence was representative for OSU’s cornerbacks. Good mixed with bad. But in the end, they get a B grade because Tech only completed four of its last 10 pass attempts. Part of that was great pressure from the defensive line on quarterback Nick Shimonek, but the cornerbacks did a heck of a job, too.
Defensive line
ASpeaking of that defensive line … that OSU defensive front held Texas Tech to only 54 yards rushing a week after TCU ran all over it. Sure, Tech doesn’t want to run as much, but the Red Raiders managed only 2.1 yards a carry. Impressive work by the defensive line. Equally impressive were the eight quarterback hurries recorded by the Cowboys. They pressured Shimonek and kept him guessing. Great game planning by Glenn Spencer and Co., and great execution by the guys on the field.
Third-down defense
Such a bugaboo a week ago – and frankly, all season – the Cowboy defense was much improved on third down Saturday. The Red Raiders converted only 5 of 12 third downs and only two in the second half. When the OSU defense had a chance to get off the field, it took advantage. And against a dangerous offense like Texas Tech, that was huge.