Oklahoma State Preparing for Unique Challenges of Baylor

The Bears have one of the top offenses in the nation and bring with them the versatile Robert Griffin.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:00 pm

By: News On 6

Oklahoma State Preparing for Unique Challenges of Baylor

Originally Published: Nov 1, 2010 5:33 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys topped Kansas State led mostly by their defense. However, when the Baylor Bears come to town they bring with them one of the most dynamic playmakers in the conference: quarterback Robert Griffin.

The sophomore quarterback has been known for his legs in the past, but his development as a passer is what the OSU coaches have noticed.

“[Griffin] has improved considerably throwing the football down the field,” said head coach Mike Gundy. “That’s where he’s become so much of a threat this year plus the running ability he’s already had.”

A dual-threat quarterback isn’t a new challenge for the Cowboys.

They can draw a parallel to a recent opponent and the trouble they had containing Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez in their only loss of the season.

"We had a chance to go against Taylor Martinez from Nebraska and see a quarterback with speed, so that definitely helped us,” said corner Andrew McGee. “All those missed tackles in those games that we had, we want to limit those. That will help us when he tucks the ball and runs. We have to make the tackles."

Oklahoma State has had trouble tackling this season – most notedly against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Baylor has 35 plays of 25 yards or more, 19 of which have gone for scores and tackling becomes key when limiting the Bears’ explosive plays.

"With the athleticism that they have and the skill positions they have, if you miss tackles it will probably be a touchdown,” said defensive coordinator Bill Young. “I think that the best thing we did last week as far as tackling was trying to wrap up the runner more and we will have to do that this week."

Scheming for the athleticism Baylor brings is a Herculean task, but for the players it could be more of the same things they have been doing all season.

"We normally have a set system that we buy into,” said safety Markelle Martin. “We are playing against a more elusive guy this week at quarterback but we will take the same approach that we have been taking."

For Oklahoma State, it’s not a matter of worrying about what Baylor can do offensively, but what OSU can do defensively.

"With anything really, you can't focus too much on one part of the offense, so we just want to do our job,” McGee said. “The rest will take care of itself if everybody is doing their job."