Oklahoma State offense features thunder and lightning”

By John Hillman  |   Monday, September 08, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Like the popular Old Milwaukee beer commercial from the 1990s, it doesn’t get any better than this for Oklahoma State’s offense. In last Saturday’s 56-37 win over Houston, the Cowboys produced a 200-yard receiver and a 200-yard rusher for the first time in the same game.

Commentary: Against the Cougars, Dez Bryant caught nine passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. The receiver capped his incredible night with a 71-yard punt return for a score. Bryant’s performance earned him the Walter Camp Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week Award.

In OSU’s first two games, the junior wideout has caught 16 of the team’s 34 receptions. Opposing punters will likely start aiming for the sidelines as Bryant rambled for 42 yards in the Washington State opener in addition to his 71-yarder against Houston.

With typical understatement, OSU head coach Mike Gundy appreciates his unexpected offensive weapon.

“He’s showing more consistency in what he’s doing,” Gundy said. “Obviously, he’s got some skills.”

Kendall Hunter supplies the thunder to complement Bryant’s lightning. Last week, the sophomore tailback rushed for 210 yards and two touchdowns. He also paced the ground game in the opener at Seattle’s Qwest Stadium, scoring twice while gaining 107 yards.

Bryant and Hunter aren’t the first great rushing/receiving combo to play for the Cowboys. In the '80s, Oklahoma State featured Hart Lee Dykes at wide receiver with Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders in the backfield. Despite their outstanding contributions, that trio never matched last Saturday’s numbers.

Fan pulse: Oklahoma State fans want more national recognition for Bryant. Here’s a link to their comments and observations: http://www.orangepower.com/showthread.php?t=56572

Injury report: Backup free safety and nickel back Lucien Antoine has been lost for the season because of a torn ACL. His absence depletes the OSU defensive backfield but shouldn’t be felt this weekend against Missouri State.
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About John Hillman

John Hillman graduated from Baylor University in 1974 with a BBA in accounting and earned an MBA from Baylor in 1987. He worked for accounting firms until 1982 when he became the chief financial officer for an independent insurance claims adjusting service, a position he still holds today. ...
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