Cowboys Run Past Jayhawks, 70-28
Oct. 8, 2011
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Photo Gallery | Gameday BlogSTILLWATER, Okla. – Despite 316 yards passing from sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb,Kansas could not slow down a potent OklahomaState offense on Saturday at T. Boone Pickens Stadium as the Jayhawks fell, 70-28.
Kansas turned the ball over four times (two fumbles and two interceptions) for the second-straight week, to fall to 2-3 on the year and 0-2 in Big 12 play. No. 6/7 OklahomaState improved to 5-0 and 2-0 in the Big 12. Saturday’s game marked the first of four-straight conference games against a ranked opponent.
“We all know that you can’t turn the ball over three or four times against a great football team like they are,” Kansas head coach Turner Gill said. “They showed they take advantage of the opportunities. Some of it was misreads, some if it is our offense, as far as things we need to do (better). We had a little bit of miscommunication on some things, but we have to take care of the football.”
Webb finished the game 25-for-36 for a career-best 316 yards and two touchdowns, one of which came on a 68-yard pitch and catch to freshman wide receiver JaCorey Shepherd with 10:52 left in the game. Webb is the first quarterback to surpass 300 yards passing since Todd Ressing threw for 498 versus Missouri in 2009.
The Jayhawks drove down the field on their opening possession of the game, going 80 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Webb found senior tight end Tim Biere crossing through the middle of the end zone from 10 yards out for the senior’s first touchdown of the season.
Biere led the Jayhawks with career-highs in catches (six) and yards (81) and hauled in a touchdown reception. For the first time this season Kansas could not get the running game on track as the Jayhawks were held to only 153 rushing yards.
However, OklahomaState wasted little time answering with a touchdown of its own. Quarterback Brandon Weeden hit wide receiver Josh Cooper on a 12-yard strike to tie the game at 7-7.
On the ensuing possession, freshman running back Tony Pierson coughed up the ball deep in Cowboy territory leading to another quick touchdown for OSU. Weeden threw his second touchdown pass of the first quarter as he found his go-to wide receiver, Justin Blackmon from 24 yards out, giving the Cowboys a 14-7 lead.
OklahomaState would score on it first seven offensive possessions of the game, leading 56-7 at the end of the first half. Four of Oklahoma State’s first eight scoring drives were 33 yards or less.
KU forced the Cowboys into a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half and then sophomore fullback Nick Sizemore partially blocked Quinn Sharp’s punt setting up excellent field position. Sophomore running back James Sims scampered into the end zone from 17 yards out to cut the lead to 56-14.
“All I can say is in the second half, our guys continued to compete throughout the game,” Gill said. “We talked about that – to just keep playing and try to get better, try to improve as a football team, on offense, defense and special teams. There was some of that. Those were the things I saw the improvement as. That’s all you can do, keep playing, and I did see that. Our guys did come out and continue to compete.”
Kansas returns home next Saturday, Oct. 15, when they host the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN.
