Oklahoma State Cowboys Confident for Missouri Tigers

Originally Published: Oct 12, 2009 5:39 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys escaped with a win against Texas A&M on Saturday despite giving up 382 yards and being penalized 11 times for 118 yards.

The Cowboy defense will have to improve quickly if it wants to keep the Missouri Tigers from crashing it’s homecoming on Saturday.

“We emphasize [forcing] turnovers and bringing pressure, mainly starting at the defensive line,” said senior defensive lineman Swanson Miller. “I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what it’s going to be for the rest of the season.”

Against the Aggies, Oklahoma State answered questions about the running game with Kendall Hunter still sidelined with injuries. Senior running back Keith Toston accounted for 204 of the Cowboys 448 total yards against Texas A&M and continues to work hard to get the job done without Hunter.

“We all train hoping that one day we get the starting position or hoping that we get a chance. This year, it just ends up being me because Kendall went down,” said Toston. “I try to not let my teammates down and make it so there is no drop-off when I step in the game.”

The offense continues to mesh and gel after early questions about offensive chemistry and general execution. Since the season opener against Georgia, the Cowboys’ total offensive output per game has increased from 307 yards to 448 yards against Texas A&M.

“We definitely have more confidence,” said senior offensive lineman Andrew Lewis. “I think the Grambling State game got us on our feet and then in the A&M game, it just seems like we have a lot more confidence going into the next game.”

The Cowboys homecoming game against the Missouri Tigers kicks off at 8:15 p.m. Oct. 17 at T. Boone Pickens Stadium.