Oklahoma State football: 5 takeaways from Cowboys' 2018 season

Oklahoma State football: 5 takeaways from Cowboys’ 2018 season

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Taylor Cornelius #14 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs with the ball as Terez Hall #24 of the Missouri Tigers defends during the first half of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 10: Running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys breaks through the Oklahoma Sooners defense at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

3. Strong freshman performances

Several first-year players made a name for themselves in 2018 and will look to play an ever larger role next year.

Running back Chuba Hubbard was sensational as a backup and got the chance for several starts in Justice Hill’s absence. The 6-foot-1 Alberta, Canada native rushed for 595 yards and averaged nearly six yards per carry, scoring eight total touchdowns in the process. Hubbard proved invaluable as a speedy, elusive runner and as a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Freshmen defenders like safeties Kolby Peel and Jarrick Bernard also made a splash in their debut Oklahoma State seasons, combining for over 110 tackles for the season. The duo’s experience as first-year players against quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Will Grier should prove invaluable in 2019.

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