Oklahoma St. Beat Kansas; Oklahoma Beat Baylor; Bedlam Next Week for Big XII South Title; CU Wins
Oklahoma State clinches tie for Big 12 South
By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)-Brandon Weeden took Oklahoma State somewhere it’s never been before. And that’s even without a possible trip to the Big 12 title game, where the Cowboys still could be headed.
Weeden threw for 389 yards three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 48-14 victory over Kansas, giving the Cowboys at least a tie atop the Big 12 South and a 10-win regular season -- both the first in school history.
If Oklahoma lost to Baylor later Saturday, the Cowboys (10-1, 6-1) will head to the title game.
“We’ve been playing football for 110 years and have never been able to accomplish that,” said coach Mike Gundy. “So these players were able to accomplish something that no other team ever has.”
Wide receiver Justin Blackmon had 130 yards and one touchdown on 10 catches, extending his school record with his 10th straight game of at least 100 yards receiving and one TD catch.
Weeden’s 3,708 yards of total offense this year, with one regular season game to go, wiped out the 3,671 in 2007 by Zac Robinson. “I didn’t realize I had broken the record until the game was over,” Weeden said. “It’s more important to me that we got our 10th win. No team has ever done that in Oklahoma State history.”
After sweeping the four Texas schools for the first time, the Cowboys needed Baylor to beat No. 16 Oklahoma on Saturday night to own the title outright. The two state rivals wind up their regular season next Saturday at Oklahoma State.
“It feels amazing,” Oklahoma State defensive tackle Shane Jarka said. “It feels great to go down in the history books. It’s great to accomplish something we’ve been working for all season long.”
Kansas (3-8, 1-6) gave the Cowboys a surprisingly tough fight the first half, and even led 7-0 and 14-10 before Oklahoma State pulled away in the second half. The Jayhawks had only 6 yards of offense in the third quarter while Oklahoma State scored two touchdowns to take a 34-14 lead. The second TD was on Michael Harrison’s blocked punt and 5-yard return that took all the steam out of the Jayhawks.
“We just fell off when the punt got blocked,” Kansas defensive end Jake Laptad said. “That seemed to take a lot of energy out of us.”
Big 12 rushing leader Kendall Hunter had 105 yards on 22 carries. Oklahoma State’s Dan Bailey made field goals of 32 and 21 yards, but also missed two long ones, leaving him 22 for 26 for the year.
The Jayhawks drove to a first-and-goal from the 6 with about 6 minutes left in the first half. But Angus Quigley was stopped third down from the 1, James Sims was kept out on fourth down from inside the 1, and the Cowboys went 96 yards in 15 plays to set up Bailey’s 21-yard field goal for a 20-14 halftime lead.
“That was really big,” said Gundy. “For us to stop them while being on the road, and not letting their crowd back in the game. … That was a really big stand.”
Blackmon, the nation’s leader in yards receiving and touchdown catches, caught a 13-yard scoring pass 9 seconds into the fourth quarter to put Oklahoma State on top 41-14.
Weeden was 31 for 43 and had a 21-yard TD pass to Josh Cooper that made it 17-14 early in the second quarter. His 3-yard scoring toss to Tracy Moore in the fourth raised his season total to 30.
Joseph Randall’s 14-yard run gave Oklahoma State its first touchdown. Jeremy Smith’s 5-yard run made it 27-14 and then Michael Harrison blocked a punt and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown.
The Jayhawks took a 7-0 lead on Tim Biere’s 12-yard catch from Quinn Mecham and went ahead 14-10 on James Sims’ 24-yard run.
But all the rest of the scoring would belong to the Cowboys, who rolled up 597 yards, going over 500 for the eighth time. “Their offense is very good,” Laptad said. “Their offensive line is very good. They do a good job protecting Weeden.”
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Oklahoma wins 20th in a row over Baylor 53-24
By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
WACO, Texas (AP)-DeMarco Murray had another all-around big game, Ryan Broyles became the first Oklahoma receiver with more than 100 catches in a season and the 16th-ranked Sooners stayed in contention for another Big 12 title with their latest victory over Baylor. Murray turned a short pass into a long touchdown and ran for another score in the opening minutes, getting the Sooners off to a fast start in a 53-24 victory over Baylor on Saturday night.
Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 Big 12) has won all 20 games in its series against the Bears (7-5, 4-4), who wrapped up their first winning regular season since 1995, the season before the Big 12 began, despite losing all three of their November games-all to ranked teams. The Sooners, who have won six of the last 10 Big 12 titles, play their regular season finale next Saturday at 12th-ranked Oklahoma State. The Bedlam rivalry could determine who will represent South Division in the league’s last scheduled championship game, or set up a three-way tie.
If Oklahoma State wins, the Cowboys win the South title. But if Oklahoma wins and Texas A&M beats Texas, the three-way tie will be settled by which team is higher in the BCS standings. Right now, Oklahoma State is 10th, Oklahoma 14th and Texas A&M 19th.
Landry Jones completed 26 of 39 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns while playing only the first three quarters.
Broyles, already Oklahoma’s career leader in receptions and touchdowns, had 12 catches to push his season total to 106. He had 113 yards receiving, including a 5-yard TD.
A week after taking over the No. 2 spot on the Big 12 career list for all-purpose yards, Murray had 13 carries for 62 yards and caught six passes for 120 yards.
While Texas A&M edged North Division-leading Nebraska 9-6 about 90 miles down the Brazos River in College Station, Oklahoma had another lopsided victory over Baylor even after Jones threw an interception on the opening series and the Bears took some early chances.
The Sooners had won the previous 14 Big 12 games against Baylor by an average margin of 25 points.
Facing fourth down at midfield on its first drive, Baylor ran a fake punt that likely would have picked up the first down but were penalized for a false start and punted the ball away.
On the second play after that, Jones threw a pass to Murray, who caught the ball coming out of the backfield, turned up the left sideline and raced 76 yards untouched for a 7-0 lead.
Baylor was stopped on fourth-and-1 from its own 33 on the next drive when linebacker Austin Box hit running back Jay Finley (17 carries for 82 yards) in the backfield. That set up a 13-yard TD run by Murray, who wasn’t touched by a defender until he shoved cornerback Tyler Stephenson out of his way when crossing the goal line.
The Sooners made it 21-0 before the end of the first quarter after Krys Buerck botched a punt return they recovered at the Baylor 8. Roy Finch scored on the next play when, after tumbling forward and being almost parallel to the ground, put his hand down and stayed on his feet before scampering into the end zone.
Jimmy Stevens kicked three field goals for Oklahoma and Ronnell Lewis returned an interception 12 yards for a score in the opening minute after halftime.
After Jones threw a 49-yard TD pass to Kenny Stills midway through the third quarter, the Sooners made it 50-10 when Ahmad Dixon bobbled the ensuring kickoff and was stripped when he ran it out of the end zone. The Bears swatted it out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin threw for a season-low 124 yards on 20 of 33 passing, and ran 12 times for 83 yards.
Jarred Salubi ran for two TDs in the fourth quarter for Baylor, which will have to wait two more weeks before likely getting their first bowl bid since 1994. That would snap a 15-season bowl drought that matches the longest for a team from a BCS conference.
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Stewart leads Colorado past Kansas State 44-36
By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Sports Writer
BOULDER, Colo. (AP)- Tailback Rodney Stewart’s multitude of talents have the rejuvenated Colorado Buffaloes on the verge of bowl eligibility. Now, all they have to do is beat Nebraska next week in their Big 12 farewell. Stewart ran for two touchdowns and gained a career-high 195 yards on 34 carries, caught two passes for 49 yards and completed a 23-yard halfback pass for a TD in leading Colorado past Kansas State 44-36 Saturday.
“He can do it all,” teammate Scotty McKnight marveled.
Since interim coach Brian Cabral took over two weeks ago following Colorado’s epic meltdown at Kansas, Stewart has had 76 touches and 419 all-purpose yards, leading the Buffaloes to the cusp of bowl eligibility. “We’ve decided to run the ball-or run the ball more,” Cabral said.
With a strong, elusive, quick back like Stewart, why not?
“He’s an awesome player,” Kansas State linebacker Tre Walker said. “We tried to stop them on key plays, on third down and he gashed us. Rodney Stewart is a quick back. He’s quick and he’s fast and he can make you miss.”
Stewart just shrugged. Maybe he was too tired to do anything else. “I think I’m coming along as a running back, I think our O-line is coming along as well,” Stewart said. “I’d better have had a good game. I think they’re last in the Big 12 in rushing (defense).” Despite needing a good soak in the hot tub, Stewart said he relished the increased workload. “Yeah, I do. Give me 40 if you can,” he said after averaging 35 carries the last two weeks.
He might just get that many handoffs against the Cornhuskers given how much the Buffaloes (5-6, 2-5 Big 12) would love to beat them before the schools go their separate ways, Colorado to the Pac-12 and Nebraska to the Big 10, next year.
“This program is centered around (beating) Nebraska. There’s no question in my mind,” Cabral said.
So Stewart will have to get ready for another grueling game.
“Yeah, he’s been busy,” Cabral said. “I would think he’s probably getting in shape more.”
Cody Hawkins threw for three TDs and 202 yards, pulling within 129 yards of Joel Klatt’s career school record of 7,044, and the Buffaloes won their second straight under Cabral, who took over two weeks ago when Dan Hawkins was fired.
Kansas State (6-5, 3-5) lost starting quarterback Collin Klein late in the second quarter and couldn’t quite keep up with Stewart. Klein suffered an unspecified injury when he was sacked by defensive end Josh Hartigan. He was replaced by Carson Coffman, who threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns.
The 80 combined points marked the most in the 66-game history of the series that will fade away now.
Dan Hawkins was on the field with other family members for pregame senior day celebrations that included his quarterback son. Linebacker B.J. Beatty, a native of Hawaii whose mother made leis for all 16 seniors, ran over to Hawkins and put his lei around his neck.
The festivities had barely finished when the Wildcats quickly took a double-digit lead.
Ty Zimmerman returned the short punt 41 yards to the Colorado 1, and Klein ran it in from there on the first snap. Klein scored on another 1-yard keeper to make it 14-3 the second time the Wildcats had the ball. But Will Jefferson returned the kickoff to midfield and Stewart leaped in from a yard out to start Colorado’s comeback.
Daniel Thomas (58 yards on 14 carries) coughed up the ball and Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith returned it 22 yards to the Kansas State 24, and Stewart took the pitch and hit Toney Clemons in the back of the end zone from 23 yards out with his first collegiate pass to put the Buffaloes ahead for good at 16-14.
It was Colorado’s first halfback touchdown pass since 1993 and Stewart’s first toss since Pop Warner. “When we’re little, we’re all about the same height,” cracked the 5-foot-5 tailback known as “Speedy.”
McKnight, a senior, scored on a 37-yard catch and run, giving the Buffs a 23-14 halftime lead. It was his school record 21st TD. He caught another from 13 yards out to make it 30-14 after a roughing penalty negated Kansas State defensive back Thomas Ferguson’s interception at the Colorado 20.
From then on, the teams traded scores. Coffman scored on a 6-yard keeper and Thomas’ jump-pass to Andre McDonald pulled Kansas State to 30-22. Stewart responded with a 51-yard touchdown run, but Kansas State stayed in it as Coffman connected with Aubrey Quarles from 16 yards out on fourth-and-goal to make it 37-29.
After Colorado scored on Cody Hawkins’ 3-yard touchdown toss to Paul Richardson, the Wildcats got into the end zone on fourth down again, this time with Coffman hitting Chris Harper from 23 yards out to make it 44-36.
Punter Zach Grossnickle pinned the Wildcats at their 5 with three minutes remaining. And finally, the Buffs stopped Kansas State on fourth down when Hartigan, finally close to full strength after suffering a high ankle sprain last month, recorded his third sack of the day, dropping Coffman on fourth down with a minute left.
Now, it’s Big Red week for the Buffs. “We’re right where we had hoped to be going into this game,” Cabral said.
By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)-Brandon Weeden took Oklahoma State somewhere it’s never been before. And that’s even without a possible trip to the Big 12 title game, where the Cowboys still could be headed.
Weeden threw for 389 yards three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 48-14 victory over Kansas, giving the Cowboys at least a tie atop the Big 12 South and a 10-win regular season -- both the first in school history.
If Oklahoma lost to Baylor later Saturday, the Cowboys (10-1, 6-1) will head to the title game.
“We’ve been playing football for 110 years and have never been able to accomplish that,” said coach Mike Gundy. “So these players were able to accomplish something that no other team ever has.”
Wide receiver Justin Blackmon had 130 yards and one touchdown on 10 catches, extending his school record with his 10th straight game of at least 100 yards receiving and one TD catch.
Weeden’s 3,708 yards of total offense this year, with one regular season game to go, wiped out the 3,671 in 2007 by Zac Robinson. “I didn’t realize I had broken the record until the game was over,” Weeden said. “It’s more important to me that we got our 10th win. No team has ever done that in Oklahoma State history.”
After sweeping the four Texas schools for the first time, the Cowboys needed Baylor to beat No. 16 Oklahoma on Saturday night to own the title outright. The two state rivals wind up their regular season next Saturday at Oklahoma State.
“It feels amazing,” Oklahoma State defensive tackle Shane Jarka said. “It feels great to go down in the history books. It’s great to accomplish something we’ve been working for all season long.”
Kansas (3-8, 1-6) gave the Cowboys a surprisingly tough fight the first half, and even led 7-0 and 14-10 before Oklahoma State pulled away in the second half. The Jayhawks had only 6 yards of offense in the third quarter while Oklahoma State scored two touchdowns to take a 34-14 lead. The second TD was on Michael Harrison’s blocked punt and 5-yard return that took all the steam out of the Jayhawks.
“We just fell off when the punt got blocked,” Kansas defensive end Jake Laptad said. “That seemed to take a lot of energy out of us.”
Big 12 rushing leader Kendall Hunter had 105 yards on 22 carries. Oklahoma State’s Dan Bailey made field goals of 32 and 21 yards, but also missed two long ones, leaving him 22 for 26 for the year.
The Jayhawks drove to a first-and-goal from the 6 with about 6 minutes left in the first half. But Angus Quigley was stopped third down from the 1, James Sims was kept out on fourth down from inside the 1, and the Cowboys went 96 yards in 15 plays to set up Bailey’s 21-yard field goal for a 20-14 halftime lead.
“That was really big,” said Gundy. “For us to stop them while being on the road, and not letting their crowd back in the game. … That was a really big stand.”
Blackmon, the nation’s leader in yards receiving and touchdown catches, caught a 13-yard scoring pass 9 seconds into the fourth quarter to put Oklahoma State on top 41-14.
Weeden was 31 for 43 and had a 21-yard TD pass to Josh Cooper that made it 17-14 early in the second quarter. His 3-yard scoring toss to Tracy Moore in the fourth raised his season total to 30.
Joseph Randall’s 14-yard run gave Oklahoma State its first touchdown. Jeremy Smith’s 5-yard run made it 27-14 and then Michael Harrison blocked a punt and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown.
The Jayhawks took a 7-0 lead on Tim Biere’s 12-yard catch from Quinn Mecham and went ahead 14-10 on James Sims’ 24-yard run.
But all the rest of the scoring would belong to the Cowboys, who rolled up 597 yards, going over 500 for the eighth time. “Their offense is very good,” Laptad said. “Their offensive line is very good. They do a good job protecting Weeden.”
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Oklahoma wins 20th in a row over Baylor 53-24
By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
WACO, Texas (AP)-DeMarco Murray had another all-around big game, Ryan Broyles became the first Oklahoma receiver with more than 100 catches in a season and the 16th-ranked Sooners stayed in contention for another Big 12 title with their latest victory over Baylor. Murray turned a short pass into a long touchdown and ran for another score in the opening minutes, getting the Sooners off to a fast start in a 53-24 victory over Baylor on Saturday night.
Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 Big 12) has won all 20 games in its series against the Bears (7-5, 4-4), who wrapped up their first winning regular season since 1995, the season before the Big 12 began, despite losing all three of their November games-all to ranked teams. The Sooners, who have won six of the last 10 Big 12 titles, play their regular season finale next Saturday at 12th-ranked Oklahoma State. The Bedlam rivalry could determine who will represent South Division in the league’s last scheduled championship game, or set up a three-way tie.
If Oklahoma State wins, the Cowboys win the South title. But if Oklahoma wins and Texas A&M beats Texas, the three-way tie will be settled by which team is higher in the BCS standings. Right now, Oklahoma State is 10th, Oklahoma 14th and Texas A&M 19th.
Landry Jones completed 26 of 39 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns while playing only the first three quarters.
Broyles, already Oklahoma’s career leader in receptions and touchdowns, had 12 catches to push his season total to 106. He had 113 yards receiving, including a 5-yard TD.
A week after taking over the No. 2 spot on the Big 12 career list for all-purpose yards, Murray had 13 carries for 62 yards and caught six passes for 120 yards.
While Texas A&M edged North Division-leading Nebraska 9-6 about 90 miles down the Brazos River in College Station, Oklahoma had another lopsided victory over Baylor even after Jones threw an interception on the opening series and the Bears took some early chances.
The Sooners had won the previous 14 Big 12 games against Baylor by an average margin of 25 points.
Facing fourth down at midfield on its first drive, Baylor ran a fake punt that likely would have picked up the first down but were penalized for a false start and punted the ball away.
On the second play after that, Jones threw a pass to Murray, who caught the ball coming out of the backfield, turned up the left sideline and raced 76 yards untouched for a 7-0 lead.
Baylor was stopped on fourth-and-1 from its own 33 on the next drive when linebacker Austin Box hit running back Jay Finley (17 carries for 82 yards) in the backfield. That set up a 13-yard TD run by Murray, who wasn’t touched by a defender until he shoved cornerback Tyler Stephenson out of his way when crossing the goal line.
The Sooners made it 21-0 before the end of the first quarter after Krys Buerck botched a punt return they recovered at the Baylor 8. Roy Finch scored on the next play when, after tumbling forward and being almost parallel to the ground, put his hand down and stayed on his feet before scampering into the end zone.
Jimmy Stevens kicked three field goals for Oklahoma and Ronnell Lewis returned an interception 12 yards for a score in the opening minute after halftime.
After Jones threw a 49-yard TD pass to Kenny Stills midway through the third quarter, the Sooners made it 50-10 when Ahmad Dixon bobbled the ensuring kickoff and was stripped when he ran it out of the end zone. The Bears swatted it out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin threw for a season-low 124 yards on 20 of 33 passing, and ran 12 times for 83 yards.
Jarred Salubi ran for two TDs in the fourth quarter for Baylor, which will have to wait two more weeks before likely getting their first bowl bid since 1994. That would snap a 15-season bowl drought that matches the longest for a team from a BCS conference.
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Stewart leads Colorado past Kansas State 44-36
By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Sports Writer
BOULDER, Colo. (AP)- Tailback Rodney Stewart’s multitude of talents have the rejuvenated Colorado Buffaloes on the verge of bowl eligibility. Now, all they have to do is beat Nebraska next week in their Big 12 farewell. Stewart ran for two touchdowns and gained a career-high 195 yards on 34 carries, caught two passes for 49 yards and completed a 23-yard halfback pass for a TD in leading Colorado past Kansas State 44-36 Saturday.
“He can do it all,” teammate Scotty McKnight marveled.
Since interim coach Brian Cabral took over two weeks ago following Colorado’s epic meltdown at Kansas, Stewart has had 76 touches and 419 all-purpose yards, leading the Buffaloes to the cusp of bowl eligibility. “We’ve decided to run the ball-or run the ball more,” Cabral said.
With a strong, elusive, quick back like Stewart, why not?
“He’s an awesome player,” Kansas State linebacker Tre Walker said. “We tried to stop them on key plays, on third down and he gashed us. Rodney Stewart is a quick back. He’s quick and he’s fast and he can make you miss.”
Stewart just shrugged. Maybe he was too tired to do anything else. “I think I’m coming along as a running back, I think our O-line is coming along as well,” Stewart said. “I’d better have had a good game. I think they’re last in the Big 12 in rushing (defense).” Despite needing a good soak in the hot tub, Stewart said he relished the increased workload. “Yeah, I do. Give me 40 if you can,” he said after averaging 35 carries the last two weeks.
He might just get that many handoffs against the Cornhuskers given how much the Buffaloes (5-6, 2-5 Big 12) would love to beat them before the schools go their separate ways, Colorado to the Pac-12 and Nebraska to the Big 10, next year.
“This program is centered around (beating) Nebraska. There’s no question in my mind,” Cabral said.
So Stewart will have to get ready for another grueling game.
“Yeah, he’s been busy,” Cabral said. “I would think he’s probably getting in shape more.”
Cody Hawkins threw for three TDs and 202 yards, pulling within 129 yards of Joel Klatt’s career school record of 7,044, and the Buffaloes won their second straight under Cabral, who took over two weeks ago when Dan Hawkins was fired.
Kansas State (6-5, 3-5) lost starting quarterback Collin Klein late in the second quarter and couldn’t quite keep up with Stewart. Klein suffered an unspecified injury when he was sacked by defensive end Josh Hartigan. He was replaced by Carson Coffman, who threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns.
The 80 combined points marked the most in the 66-game history of the series that will fade away now.
Dan Hawkins was on the field with other family members for pregame senior day celebrations that included his quarterback son. Linebacker B.J. Beatty, a native of Hawaii whose mother made leis for all 16 seniors, ran over to Hawkins and put his lei around his neck.
The festivities had barely finished when the Wildcats quickly took a double-digit lead.
Ty Zimmerman returned the short punt 41 yards to the Colorado 1, and Klein ran it in from there on the first snap. Klein scored on another 1-yard keeper to make it 14-3 the second time the Wildcats had the ball. But Will Jefferson returned the kickoff to midfield and Stewart leaped in from a yard out to start Colorado’s comeback.
Daniel Thomas (58 yards on 14 carries) coughed up the ball and Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith returned it 22 yards to the Kansas State 24, and Stewart took the pitch and hit Toney Clemons in the back of the end zone from 23 yards out with his first collegiate pass to put the Buffaloes ahead for good at 16-14.
It was Colorado’s first halfback touchdown pass since 1993 and Stewart’s first toss since Pop Warner. “When we’re little, we’re all about the same height,” cracked the 5-foot-5 tailback known as “Speedy.”
McKnight, a senior, scored on a 37-yard catch and run, giving the Buffs a 23-14 halftime lead. It was his school record 21st TD. He caught another from 13 yards out to make it 30-14 after a roughing penalty negated Kansas State defensive back Thomas Ferguson’s interception at the Colorado 20.
From then on, the teams traded scores. Coffman scored on a 6-yard keeper and Thomas’ jump-pass to Andre McDonald pulled Kansas State to 30-22. Stewart responded with a 51-yard touchdown run, but Kansas State stayed in it as Coffman connected with Aubrey Quarles from 16 yards out on fourth-and-goal to make it 37-29.
After Colorado scored on Cody Hawkins’ 3-yard touchdown toss to Paul Richardson, the Wildcats got into the end zone on fourth down again, this time with Coffman hitting Chris Harper from 23 yards out to make it 44-36.
Punter Zach Grossnickle pinned the Wildcats at their 5 with three minutes remaining. And finally, the Buffs stopped Kansas State on fourth down when Hartigan, finally close to full strength after suffering a high ankle sprain last month, recorded his third sack of the day, dropping Coffman on fourth down with a minute left.
Now, it’s Big Red week for the Buffs. “We’re right where we had hoped to be going into this game,” Cabral said.