Oklahoma State Defense Shines in Win over Kansas State

The Cowboys rebounded after getting lit up by Nebraska to shut down the Wildcats' offense.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:00 pm

By: News On 6

Oklahoma State Defense Shines in Win over Kansas State

Originally Published: Oct 30, 2010 3:1 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Three fourth quarter interceptions secured the 24-14 win for Oklahoma State Saturday, giving the Cowboys their first win on the road against Kansas State since 1988.

Brandon Weeden completed six of seven pass attempts for 67 yards on Oklahoma State’s first possession of the third quarter – capped off by a 16-yard touchdown pass to Josh Cooper to take a 14-7 lead. Dan Bailey tacked on three points on the Cowboys’ next possession with a 34-yard field goal in the closing moments of the third quarter.

Kansas State answered by turning the ball over.

Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin picked off Carson Coffman’s first pass of the fourth quarter and halted a long Kansas State drive.

The Wildcats used the shotgun on the next possession, but fill-in quarterback Daniel Thomas was intercepted by Andrew McGee deep in Oklahoma State territory. The Cowboys couldn’t get offensive momentum going, but Johnny Thomas kept a Quinn Sharp punt from going into the endzone pinning Kansas State on the one yard line.

Thomas once again bit the Wildcats, intercepting Coffman at the Kansas State 26 and returned it for a score to give Oklahoma State a 24-7 lead.

Thomas punched one in from one yard out for Kansas State to pull within 10, but Oklahoma State fielded the pooch kick to sap most of the remaining time.

Despite being without Justin Blackmon due to a one-game suspension, the Oklahoma State offense continued to buzz against the Wildcats. The Cowboys posted 511 offensive yards, including 298 through the air from Weeden.

After giving up 323 passing yards to Taylor Martinez in the previous game, the Cowboys' defense held Coffman to just 170 yards and two interceptions, while holding Thomas to a quiet 101 yards.

Kendall Hunter posted his 18th career 100-yard rushing game with 143 yards on 28 carries, but was held without a touchdown for just the second time this season.

Despite the offensive numbers, both teams started off sluggishly, tying 7-7 going into halftime.

Hunter fumbled early in the second quarter to give the Wildcats get the ball on their 38-yard line. OSU’s defense forced a third-and-long, but Coffman connected with Aubrey Quarles for 11 yards to keep the drive alive.

Kansas State then rattled off four consecutive first downs to move into the red zone for the first time. Four plays later, William Powell rushed eight yards for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

With just two minutes left in the half, KSU was forced to punt and Oklahoma State took over on its 33-yard line. Weeden then completed two of his three passes on the next drive for 55 yards – including a 15-yard touchdown strike to Michael Harrison – to tie the game at 7-7 to head into halftime.