For the second time in three week Oklahoma State finds itself playing on the road. Of course taking the turnpike up to Tulsa isn’t quite like traveling to Corvallis, Oregon. The Cowboys will play in front of a 50/50 or possibly even an orange and black majority crowd, but they’re still facing a routine that takes them away from home and into a visitor’s locker room.
This is Oklahoma State’s final tune-up before conference play begins next week at Texas so obviously Mike Gundy wants to see things running smoothly.
Here are a few players to keep an eye on from each sideline.
Oklahoma State
Spencer Sanders – The Cowboys have absolutely been pleased with their redshirt freshman quarterback. Through the first two weeks of the season he’s only had eleven incomplete passes while producing 453 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air.
Tulsa is only giving up 214 yards through the air and a 57.3 completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks so far this season. You can expect Sanders to challenge both of those numbers.
Chuba Hubbard – One of the Big 12’s most explosive backs, Hubbard may face his stiffest competition of the season against a Tulsa defensive front that is allowing just a little more than 100 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Hurricane are making opposing running backs work for their yardage, allowing just 3.1 yards per carry.
Hubbard on the other hand has cranked out 265 yards and and 4 touchdowns off 34 carries this season. That’s a pace of 7.79 yards per carry.
Tylan Wallace – One of the best receivers in the nation last season, Wallace seems to be even better this year. He’s the third head in Mike Gundy’s offensive attack and absolutely the most dangerous playmaker. He’s only hauled in 10 catches this season, for 272 yards, but half of them have been for scores.
Malcolm Rodriguez – Oklahoma State’s leading tackler, Rodriquez has been a nightmare for opposing offenses by recording 20 tackles and a quarterback hurry in just two games.
Amen Obongbemiga – We’re not ready to label him the sackmaster just yet but he does own two of OSU’s three sacks on the season. In addition, he places second on the team with 17 total tackles.
Tulsa
Zack Smith – Tulsa’s junior quarterback has been efficient this season, completing 37-of-55 pass attempts for 436 yards and 2 touchdowns and an interception. He’ll be going up against a Cowboys defense that is allowing just 219 yards per game through the air with an opposing quarterback completion rate of 51.4%.
Shamari Brooks – After getting stonewalled by Michigan State in the season opener, Brooks erupted for 140 yards and a score against San Jose State last week. The Cowboys have been a bit susceptible to the run this season (164 yards allowed per game) and Tulsa will attempt to use Brooks to burn clock and keep the Cowboy offense off the field.
Sam Crawford, Jr. – Zack Smith’s top target has hauled in 14 passes for 186 yards and a score this season. He’s averaging 13.28 yards per reception so far on the season.
Cooper Edmiston – Tulsa’s leading tackler, Edmiston has 19 take downs on the season. Eleven of those came last week against San Jose State.
Trevis Gipson – A total of ten Tulsa defenders have contributed to 18 tackles for loss with Gipson leading the way after recording 4.5 for a total loss of 23 yards. Two of his tackles for loss are for sacks, accounting for a third of the Golden Hurricane quarterback takedowns.
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