Woods unsure if he'll return to Stillwater for senior season

HOUSTON (AP) _ If Rashaun Woods' opponents had a say in his decision whether to return to Oklahoma State next year, the junior receiver would be playing in the NFL. <br><br>But it's not that simple

Saturday, December 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) _ If Rashaun Woods' opponents had a say in his decision whether to return to Oklahoma State next year, the junior receiver would be playing in the NFL.

But it's not that simple for Woods, who caught nine passes for 164 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 33-23 Houston Bowl victory over Southern Mississippi Friday.

``There are so many things I can't even say them right now,'' Woods said. ``It's a personal decision.''

Rashaun Woods chalked up another receiving record and added bowl champion and MVP to his resume Friday, leaving many to wonder if he has anything left to accomplish in college.

Woods set a Big 12 record for receptions in a season with 107, beating Texas Kwame Cavil's 1999 mark of 100. He was also named outstanding offensive player, as well as most valuable player, for the Houston Bowl.

In the Cowboys' last game, a 38-28 win over Oklahoma, Woods set school records for yards in a game, touchdowns in a season and receptions in a career. He has caught 216 passes for 3,047 yards in three seasons at Oklahoma State (8-5).

``People say to me, 'You don't have anything else to prove,' but I really don't think it's about proving anything in this game,'' Woods said. ``It's about playing a game that you love.''

If his teammates and the more than 30,000 Oklahoma State fans wearing hunting-cap orange in the Reliant Stadium stands Friday had a say in his decision, Woods would be back in Stillwater next year.

``One more year, one more year,'' fans chanted after the game as Woods, standing on the field, answered questions about his future.

``Let them chant,'' Woods said. ``I can't stop them.''

Woods has burned opponents for 24 consecutive games with at least four receptions and 31 straight games with at least two catches. He's caught 107 passes for 1,695 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.

Southern Mississippi linebacker Rod Davis, who's also considering whether to return to Hattiesburg, Miss., for his senior season, advised Woods to go. Golden Eagles coach Jeff Bower sounded like the 11 other opposing coaches who watched Woods play this season.

``Rashaun Woods is a really good player,'' Bower said. ``He makes big plays in every ball game.''

Woods' 51-yard TD pass from Josh Fields put the Cowboys (8-5) up 20-13 in the second quarter. Woods, in double coverage, pulled the ball down along the sideline and ran the remaining 30 yards to the end zone.

Having Woods back on the field next year would certainly help the Cowboys reach the loftier goals they're setting for themselves next year.

``I don't know what he's thinking,'' said Fields, who was 21-of-41 passing for 310 yards and two touchdowns Friday. ``It's his decision. We hope he does come back, but if he doesn't, we wish him the best.''

COWBOYS NOTES: Oklahoma State sold out its allotment of tickets for the Houston Bowl, some 35,000 tickets. The stands were filled with Cowboys' fans in orange. ``It felt like we were at Lewis Field,'' said running back Tatum Bell...Bell's 160 yards on 13 carries gave him 1,094 yards on the season. He's the ninth 1,000-yard rusher in school history.