When you see “Oklahoma State 44, Boise State 21,” you might assume that Oklahoma State was significantly better than Boise. Well, you know what they say about assumptions.
Last Saturday’s game at Stillwater looked to be a pick em. In fact, a number of experts picked Boise to win because of the Broncos’ big perceived advantage at quarterback. Boise had 4-year starter, Brett Rypien, while Oklahoma State trotted out former walk on, Taylor Cornelius, Mason Rudolph’s backup the previous 4 years. To boot, Cornelius had never taken meaningful snaps in a big game (with all due apologies to Missouri State and South Alabama).
Gundy’s play calling in the first half went against totally against his history as he kept calling on QB draws that effectively used Cornelius’ 230 pounds to good effect. It helped Cornelius get into the flow of the game, so that when he was called on to throw his first bomb (after all, this is Oklahoma State), success!
Even though Boise has an experienced offensive line, Okie State took advantage of a weakness at right tackle and, combined with some blitz creativity, sacked Rypien 7 times.
Two touchdowns resulted directly from punt blocks. Boise’s tall punter has a slower than average “get off” time that the Cowboys exploited twice to turn the game on its head.
One element was predictable. One might have thought that the loss of stellar receivers, James Washington and Marcell Ateman, might have impacted OSU’s ability to throw the ball. Is the receiving cupboard in Stillwater ever bare? Answer: NO.
My favorite coaching mullet was more than worthy of his lifetime contract on Saturday.