Oklahoma State Cowboys Rebound Against Rice

Originally Published: Sep 19, 2009 10:5 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma State Cowboys needed to turn around quickly after their disappointing loss last week against Houston. They had to refocus before facing the high-octane Rice Owls at T. Boone Pickens Stadium.

The defense bounced back and managed to hold the Owls to 24 points.

“I think the effort was fantastic,” said Cowboys defensive coordinator Bill Young. “We made some mistakes, but we played hard.”

The Cowboys defense did give up several yards, however. The team gave up 377 yards to the Owls, but the defense was able to hold Rice to 7-16 on third downs,including two three-and-outs late in the game when the Owls were trying to come back.

“We should have stepped up and bowed our backs a little more, and we did not,” said Oklahoma State senior linebacker Andre Sexton. “But, a win is a win.”

Offensively, the Cowboys were struggling this season to fall into sync, and the third week may have been the charm.

The Cowboys put up 41 points and averaged 11.4 yards per pass. Standout junior wide receiver Dez Bryant had another stellar game for OSU with 9 catches for 161 yards and 2 scores.

In addition to outstanding play from Bryant, senior quarterback Zac Robinson had his most efficient game of the season, completing 70 percent of his passes.

Head Coach Mike Gundy still expects more from his quarterback in the future.

“He had a couple passes that I thought he could have thrown better,” said Gundy. “The one that sticks in your mind is the deep one there early in the first quarter. If he hits Dez there, he probably scores.”

The Cowboys face the Grambling State Tigers on September 26th at 6:00.