Cowboys need another big effort this week

<br>STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State's running game has served the Cowboys well in the past two games and figures to be an important factor this week against Texas Tech. <br><br>Oklahoma State

Monday, November 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State's running game has served the Cowboys well in the past two games and figures to be an important factor this week against Texas Tech.

Oklahoma State (4-4, 2-2 Big 12) beat Nebraska and Texas A&M thanks in large part to strong running by Tatum Bell. Bell had 182 yards against Nebraska and 142 yards and three touchdowns Saturday against A&M.

One way to keep Texas Tech's prolific offense from scoring is to keep it off the field, and the way to do that is to control the clock when you have the ball.

``We know that we have to keep our defense off the field,'' offensive tackle Jason Russell said Monday. ``We've got to have the long drives and have got to give our defense rest. As long as we come out and establish the run, I think we can have those long series.''

Texas Tech (6-4, 2-2) ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring, at 37.6 points per game, and has scored 40 or more points six times. The Red Raiders lead the league in passing (370 yards per game) and total offense (488.2).

Kliff Kingsbury, No. 2 nationally in total offense, has thrown for 3,557 yards and 31 touchdowns, with just 10 interceptions in 525 passing attempts. The Cowboys got their fill of him last year when we was 44 of 56 for 440 yards and four TDs in a 49-30 Red Raiders victory.

Oklahoma State is ranked just 85th nationally against the pass and is 83rd in total defense.

``We're going to emphasize tackling the football and tackling those receivers,'' coach Les Miles said. ``If it's a 2-yard reception, it should be a 2-yard gain. If it's an 8-yard reception, it should be an 8-yard gain.''

The Cowboys haven't done that effectively in the past two meetings with Tech. Two years ago, playing the same week it was announced Bob Simmons would be gone at the end of the season, Oklahoma State lost 58-0 in Lubbock.

Miles agreed it will be important that his offense have success, but said the kicking game and defense must be strong as well. Last week, the Cowboys botched one field goal try, missed one and had one blocked. The game wound up coming down to the final minute, when Oklahoma State made an interception in the end zone to seal the victory.

Miles summed up the objectives this way:

``Keep the ball when you can, and you score,'' he said. ``When the defense is on the field, they stop 'em, get a turnover or two, chase the quarterback around out of the pocket. And when we get a chance to score points on special teams, we do so.

``It's going to take a concerted effort by our football team.''