Daily Oklahoman: News and Notes

[GoRedGoBlue]

Road trip: OSU might not have as many fans at Gerald Ford Stadium as first projected. OSU has sold 4,300 tickets through its offices in Stillwater.
"One reason we got them down here was the thinking they were going to bring a lot of people," SMU coach Phil Bennett said. "I don’t know what the reason is, but they’re not bringing them."

What Bennett didn’t take into account was some OSU fans in the Dallas area are purchasing tickets through SMU.

With a strong alumni base in Dallas, the estimate is 7,000 to 10,000 Cowboy fans will attend the game.

Game speed: Redshirt freshman wide receiver D’Juan Woods is discovering one of the hardest adjustments is simulating game conditions in practice.

"The speed is so much faster," Woods said. "There’s a big difference. Film can be deceiving. There are big guys, linebackers and safeties, you don’t think can move that fast but in a game they’re moving pretty good.

"When you’re out there in the fire, that’s when it really matters."

Another freshman: Starting free safety Thomas Wright is sidelined by a sprained knee. When Jon Holland left the Southwest Missouri State game with a shoulder stinger, Jeremy Nethon, a true freshman from Beggs, saw extensive playing time in the second half.

"Jeremy played well," said secondary coach Doug Mallory. "Coach (Joe) DeForest made a strong point on how well he’s played on special teams. You see a sense of urgency to hit people. His effort on special teams was tremendous.

"He had a good week of practice and worked up the depth chart. We had an injury so we had a young man we wanted to take a good look at. Right now he’s running No. 2 at free safety."

NUMBERS TO KNOW


OSU is ranked 15th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 228.0 yards a game.

The Cowboys have been flagged a Big 12-high 27 times for 241 yards. The Pokes are averaging 80.3 penalty yards a game. No other team in the league is averaging more than 57.3.

OSU’s offense is averaging 26:09 minutes in time of possession while opponents are averaging 33:51.
SMU UPDATE


Big 12 tour: SMU has experienced two extremes in road losses. The Mustangs lost at Texas Tech (58-10) and Baylor (10-7).
"We’re sort of taking a Big 12 South tour," Bennett said. "What we’re trying to do is get ready for our conference. Oklahoma State is a very good team. No doubt, we’ll have to play heads above where we’ve been or they’ll kick the stuffing out of us."


So close: SMU has been ridiculed for losing at Baylor, but the Mustangs easily could have won.
The Bears’ two scores were set up by turnovers, including a fumbled punt. Baylor’s two scoring drives combined for 23 yards.

"In the second half, I saw we have some character on this football team," Bennett said. "We had guys that were out on the field fighting. I liked the effort."

EXTRA POINTS


Senior tailback Keylon Kincade needs 83 rushing yards to pass Kyle Rote for 10th all-time at SMU.
Kincade, who has 1,964 career rushing yards, has passed Doak Walker and could finish in the top five with another 1,200-yard season.


The Pokes are 7-3 in non-conference games under Les Miles but are looking for their first road non-league win in the Miles era. OSU’s last non-conference road win was at Tulsa in 2000.

The Cowboys can finish September undefeated for the first time since 1997 with a win. OSU has finished unbeaten in September nine times since 1958.

[Stallion]

Betcha O-State does have 10,000 there-they have a huge DFW fan base and I know many who just bought tickets here.

[Troup32]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GoRedGoBlue:
<B>Senior tailback Keylon Kincade needs 83 rushing yards to pass Kyle Rote for 10th all-time at SMU. Kincade, who has 1,964 career rushing yards, has passed Doak Walker and could finish in the top five with another 1,200-yard season. </B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So why is it people want to sit this man down for the freshman? I'm sure the youngster can run, but Keylon has done the job, and done it real well.

[No Quarter]

Does anyone know if SMU freshman CB Ervin McGee play against any former HS team mates when OSU visits?

[Hoss]

Maybe on special teams? He's not on the two-deep.

[The PonyGrad]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Troup32:
<B> So why is it people want to sit this man down for the freshman? I'm sure the youngster can run, but Keylon has done the job, and done it real well. </B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I do not think anyone is suggesting we "sit this man down." The reason that many are suggesting we add another back to the mix is because Massey has shown great things in practise and because KK is only averaging 3.49 ypc. We need a break away threat. Someone that can get to the corner.

KK is a great reliable workhorse of a back but we need to add another dimension to our, so far, pathetic offense.

[FloridaMustang]

We don't want to bench KK. We love KK. The problem is, he's running *too* much. He's getting tired and he's not as effective. If we throw two backs at opposing defenses, that definitely gives them something else to think about. Hopefully Massey can provide some spark to our running game with his breakaway speed. And hopefully the recievers will have a good game this Saturday. That OK State secondary isn't too shabby.

[Stallion]

there is no one on this team that plays harder than Keylon but I think he would be more effective carrying the ball 20-22 times a game too with a few breathers throughout the game. That being said I don't see anyone tearing it up as long as we can't develop a more consistent passing game that is more than just a possession receiver type offense. Unfortunately, that wasn't the strength of our recruiting class or our returning talent. TO ANY RECRUITS OUT THERE YOU CAN PLAY IMMEDIATELY NEXT YEAR IF YOU"VE GOT THE TALENT-ESPECIALLY YOU DONALD.

[Charleston Pony]

OSU will bring 10k to this game. Why buy in the visitors' endzone section when you can buy between the 30s because SMU can't sell those to their own fans?