Oklahoma State football: Studs, thuds and duds from 2019 season

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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 hands the ball off to running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys for a touchdown late in the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 16, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 31-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Studs

Chuba Hubbard

OSU’s all-world Canadian running back is an easy place to start for “studs” for the 2019 season. The Alberta native was the NCAA’s leading rusher, gaining 2,094 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns on the ground. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry.

Hubbard’s recent announcement that he will return for the 2020 season bolsters the Pokes for a number of reasons. He’s strong enough to run inside the tackles and has breakaway speed to beat a defensive secondary to the end zone. Next year could begin with Hubbard seeking to become the first player to lead the nation in rushing two straight years since Texas’ Ricky Williams in 1997 and 1998.

Defense

OSU’s defense was vastly improved for the 2019 season. It gave up only 26.8 points per game, nearly six points better than the previous year. Led by two tough linebackers in the middle, Malcolm Rodriguez and Amen Ogbongbemiga, the Pokes were able to hold three Big 12 opponents to 13 points or less — all in games that were victories.

Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel was a bright spot in the secondary, too. The sophomore playmaker had 49 tackles and five interceptions, a the latter mark bettered by only six other players in the nation.

As unusual as it may sound, OSU came to rely on its defense for several victories in 2019. This continuing trend will be a huge factor in OSU’s contention for the 2020 Big 12 title.

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