STILLWATER (AP) — One solid defensive performance could be considered an aberration. Two in a row constitutes a trend that Oklahoma State desperately wants to continue.
A week after slowing down Missouri’s high-octane offense in a 28-23 win, Oklahoma State held Baylor to a season-low 204 yards during a never-in-doubt 34-6 decision over the Bears. Next up for the seventh-ranked Cowboys: No. 1 Texas on Saturday in Austin.
Beat the Longhorns — who are averaging 48.1 points per game, second-best in the Football Bowl Subdivision — and suddenly Oklahoma State (7-0, 3-0 Big 12) could state a case for being the nation’s best team after receiving little fanfare before the season.
“We’ve got here because no one has given us nothing and we’ve worked to get here,” linebacker Andre Sexton said.
Defense long has been considered the Cowboys’ weak link. Last season, Oklahoma State ranked 101st in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense. Despite the Cowboys’ prolific offense, many wondered before the Missouri game if Oklahoma State’s defense could even so much as slow down the Tigers.
Even after the Cowboys did just that, intercepting Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel three times, skeptics thought Baylor’s speedy quarterback, Robert Griffin, would give Oklahoma State fits. The Cowboys held Griffin — who rushed for 217 yards against Washington State and 102 yards against Oklahoma — to 12 yards on 12 carries.
“They play good on defense,” Baylor coach Art Briles said. “Confidence is a great booster and right now they’ve got a lot of confidence.”
On Sunday, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said his defense “played very well” and “met basically every goal other than forcing turnovers” against Baylor. Oklahoma State now ranks 47th nationally in total defense, allowing an average of 335.86 yards per game.
Those around the program welcome the change in defensive culture. Gundy said he has longed for the day when it could be said the Cowboys’ defense would be the equal of their offense.
“The kids are doing what we’re asking them to do,” second-year defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. “I’m not going to take any credit. All we’re doing is making calls and the kids have to perform the calls. If they’re performing the calls, then we’ll be pretty successful, and they’re doing it with great effort and great anticipation.”
Finishing has been a big issue in recent years for Oklahoma State against Texas (7-0, 3-0).
In 2003, Oklahoma State led 16-7 in the first quarter but Texas won 55-16. In Austin in 2004, Oklahoma State sprinted to a 35-7 first-half lead before Texas roared back for a 56-35 win. In 2005 — the season Texas won the national title — the Longhorns trailed 28-9 in the first half in Stillwater, but rallied to win 47-28 behind Vince Young.
Last year, Oklahoma State led the Longhorns 35-14 entering the fourth quarter, but Texas rallied to win 38-35.
Sexton joked that he had “a really short memory” and couldn’t remember last year’s game.
