Vance Bedford's clean shave a badge of honor for OSU defense

Monday, November 13th 2006, 7:17 pm

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Vance Bedford grabbed his cap as he headed out for the day Monday. But this time, the Oklahoma State defensive coordinator really needed it because he says his newly shaved head is cold.

Bedford agreed to go bald if his defense could hold Baylor's offense in check enough that the Cowboys won by 21 points. OSU doubled that mark, beating the Bears 66-to-24 to become bowl-eligible for the fourth time in the past five years.

Former OSU defensive end Trumain Carroll took care of the hair cut.

More than just a joke, Bedford's shaved head is a badge of honor for an OSU defense that has gone from giving up late leads to putting away games with defensive scores.

In the first 3-and-a-half minutes after halftime Saturday, defensive end Darnell Smith returned an interception 23 yards for a score and safety Donovan Woods added a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

Two weeks earlier, defensive end Nathan Peterson sealed a 41-to-29 win against number 20 Nebraska with a fumble return for a touchdown.