Fans were expecting a closer game when Oklahoma State football visited South Alabama. Yet, the Cowboys emerged with a 44-7 win over the Jaguars.
The No. 11 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys had their first road game of the year in Week 2. Oklahoma State traveled to Mobile to face the South Alabama Jaguars. Senior quarterback Mason Rudolph was pulled from action midway through the second half.
Even with the Cowboys as a 29-point favorite over South Alabama, this victory was extremely impressive. This was the last chance for the Pokes to build momentum before facing only Power Five competition for the rest of the season. Next week, Oklahoma State has their second consecutive road game when they face the Pittsburgh Panthers.
However, this was a thoroughly impressive win for Oklahoma State. South Alabama did not even get on the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. One of the biggest questions entering the season was how the Cowboy defense would fare. Holding the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to only 24 points and South Alabama nearly off the board completely.
Read More: First half takeaways – James Washington is elite
Head coach Mike Gundy did see his team make some simple mistakes. Yet, that is expected from any team early in a season. Any question marks the Cowboys had coming into the season are getting worked out rather quickly.
Freshman quarterback Keondre Wudtee got some quality playing time once Rudolph was pulled. The freshman running back duo of LD Brown and J.D. King got a heavy dose of carries as well. This is a great chance for some of the younger players on offense to prove themselves.
Now, let’s take a look at three takeaways from the Oklahoma State win over South Alabama.
1. Mike Gundy has his team ready for conference play already
Sometimes it can take a while before a top 25 ranked team is ready for the level of Power Five conference competition. However, Gundy is showing that the Oklahoma State football program is ready for anything the Big 12 can throw their way.
It won’t take much longer for the Cowboys to prepare themselves for the Nov. 4 Bedlam matchup against the No. 5 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. That will be the biggest showdown in the Big 12 this year.
The fact that the Big 12 added a Championship Game at the end of the season means that Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could play each other twice. Yet, this Oklahoma State squad seems as if they would be ready to face OU twice in one season.
South Alabama was not a team that could keep pace with the high-powered Oklahoma State attack. The Jaguar defense was overwhelmed for much of the game and part of that is due to the preparation level for Gundy and the Pokes.
2. The linebackers are a deep group for Oklahoma State
Linebacker Justin Phillips notched his first interception of the 2017 campaign when defensive tackle Darrion Daniels got his hand on a throw from South Alabama quarterback Dallas Davis. Phillips returned that interception for a touchdown.
The front seven was solid all game for the Cowboys. Defensive end Jarrell Owens especially stood out in the first half. Defensive tackles DeQuinton Osborne, Trey Carter, and Daniels should make the Oklahoma State defensive line a force to be reckoned with all year.
Backup linebacker Calvin Bundage was called for a key targeting penalty that could cost the Pokes next week against Pitt. With the injury of starting linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder, Oklahoma State needs all the help they can get.
Stopping the Pitt rushing attack is a whole other monster than stopping South Alabama. Oklahoma State needs to find some answers before they face Quadree Henderson and the talented Pitt offense.
3. South Alabama needs Cole Garvin starting
Starting South Alabama quarterback Cole Garvin went down with a knee injury in the first quarter. He took a big hit on a scramble and went down awkwardly. After that, Dallas Davis started the rest of the game but did not do too well.
While Mason Rudolph racked up more than 300 passing yards, Davis did not get over the 150 yard mark. He finally got the Jaguars on the board in the fourth quarter. However, at that point it was too little too late.
Garvin played well against the Ole Miss Rebels in Week 1 racking up more than 200 passing yards and one touchdown. That was enough to secure the starting job, barring injury. If Garvin is able to go in South Alabama’s next game when they take on Alabama A&M, that would be best.
Next: 25 Predictions for the Top 25 - Week 2
Davis was thrown into the fire against a fast Oklahoma State defense. He really hung in there and played tough the entire game. We have to give Davis credit for stepping up and taking some rough hits in Garvin’s absence.