PonyFans.com preview: Oklahoma State
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:27 amThe Mustangs turned in a strong defensive effort Saturday in their 10-7 loss to Baylor. The team's defensive performance will have to improve exponentially if SMU is going to compete with this Saturday's opponent, Oklahoma State. The Cowboys come to Gerald J. Ford Stadium to kick off the Ponies' home season at 7 p.m.
Oklahoma State most likely is the most talented team the Ponies will face this season. Consider: senior RB Tatum Bell ran for 143 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's 42-3 rout of Southwest Missouri, and backup RB Seymore Shaw added 107 yards and a score of his own -- and it's the OSU passing game that scares defenses the most.
Junior quarterback Josh Fields guides the aerial game for the Cowboys (2-1), who opened the season with a 17-7 loss at resurgent Nebraska before winning, 48-24 at Wyoming and then blasting Southwest Missouri State this past Saturday. Through three games, Fields has completed 44-of-84 passes for 485 yards, five interceptions and a pair of scores -- statistics that are somewhat misleading because Nebraska knew he had to throw for much of the second half, and because he hardly threw at all in the latter stages of the Cowboys' routs of Wyoming and Southwest Missouri State.
Fields' top target is senior Rashaun Woods, the 6-2, 195-pounder who now is being mentioned along with Mike Wilson of USC, Roy Williams of Texas and Reggie Williams of Washington in debates over who is the nation's top receiver. Against Wyoming, Woods (who has 17 receptions for 270 yards and two scores this year) broke the all-time OSU receiving yardage record previously held by Hart Lee ****s. His 29 career receiving touchdowns are tied with ****s atop the all-time list at Oklahoma State and tied with Roy Williams for the Big 12 career record.
Across the field, at the other starting WR spot, is Woods' brother, D'Juan Woods, who quickly is becoming a capable threat who can ease the burden on his big brother.
Safety Jon Holland leads the team with 24 tackles through three games, followed by linebacker Lawrence Pinson and cornerback Darrent Williams, who have 21 tackles apiece. Defensive end Greg Richmond leads the team with four sacks.
OSU has been susceptible in the turnover war, having coughed up the ball seven times (five interceptions and two fumbles) while registering just three takeaways (all on interceptions).
Injury update (courtesy of The Daily Oklahoman): Jon Holland, who became the starting free safety when Thomas Wright was slowed by a toe injury, injured his shoulder late in the first ha/b. Wright is out with a sprained knee. Chase Holland filled in for Jon Holland but Beggs true freshman Jeremy Nethon got the bulk of the snaps in the second half. Fullback Tim Burrough, hampered by a shoulder injury, once again suited out but Shawn Willis took most of the snaps in the two-back set. Weak safety Elbert Craig also left the game with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Freddie Sinclair.
[This message has been edited by PonyPride (edited 09-17-2003).]
Oklahoma State most likely is the most talented team the Ponies will face this season. Consider: senior RB Tatum Bell ran for 143 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's 42-3 rout of Southwest Missouri, and backup RB Seymore Shaw added 107 yards and a score of his own -- and it's the OSU passing game that scares defenses the most.
Junior quarterback Josh Fields guides the aerial game for the Cowboys (2-1), who opened the season with a 17-7 loss at resurgent Nebraska before winning, 48-24 at Wyoming and then blasting Southwest Missouri State this past Saturday. Through three games, Fields has completed 44-of-84 passes for 485 yards, five interceptions and a pair of scores -- statistics that are somewhat misleading because Nebraska knew he had to throw for much of the second half, and because he hardly threw at all in the latter stages of the Cowboys' routs of Wyoming and Southwest Missouri State.
Fields' top target is senior Rashaun Woods, the 6-2, 195-pounder who now is being mentioned along with Mike Wilson of USC, Roy Williams of Texas and Reggie Williams of Washington in debates over who is the nation's top receiver. Against Wyoming, Woods (who has 17 receptions for 270 yards and two scores this year) broke the all-time OSU receiving yardage record previously held by Hart Lee ****s. His 29 career receiving touchdowns are tied with ****s atop the all-time list at Oklahoma State and tied with Roy Williams for the Big 12 career record.
Across the field, at the other starting WR spot, is Woods' brother, D'Juan Woods, who quickly is becoming a capable threat who can ease the burden on his big brother.
Safety Jon Holland leads the team with 24 tackles through three games, followed by linebacker Lawrence Pinson and cornerback Darrent Williams, who have 21 tackles apiece. Defensive end Greg Richmond leads the team with four sacks.
OSU has been susceptible in the turnover war, having coughed up the ball seven times (five interceptions and two fumbles) while registering just three takeaways (all on interceptions).
Injury update (courtesy of The Daily Oklahoman): Jon Holland, who became the starting free safety when Thomas Wright was slowed by a toe injury, injured his shoulder late in the first ha/b. Wright is out with a sprained knee. Chase Holland filled in for Jon Holland but Beggs true freshman Jeremy Nethon got the bulk of the snaps in the second half. Fullback Tim Burrough, hampered by a shoulder injury, once again suited out but Shawn Willis took most of the snaps in the two-back set. Weak safety Elbert Craig also left the game with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Freddie Sinclair.
[This message has been edited by PonyPride (edited 09-17-2003).]
