Eric Morris Uses Defensive Player to Solve Oklahoma State’s Red Zone Issues

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STILLWATER — Coach Eric Morris had two weeks to stew on Oklahoma State’s “frustrating” struggles to score touchdowns in the red zone.

On Saturday, the Cowboys coach revealed that he spent the bye week looking for answers in an unusual place as defensive end Malik Charles lined up as a tight end twice in and-goal situations from the 1-yard line.

“Yeah, I think just trying to utilize how big, strong and athletic Malik is, right,” Morris said. “And he played tight end in junior college, and so somebody that’s familiar with the position.

“And so, yeah, during the bye week was something we felt like that gave us time to really teach him our calls and how to get in the huddle, how to get in the stance, which side he’s going to, and so yeah, it was good, and you know, thought we were able to push it in.”

Charles’ collegiate “experience” at the position was short-lived as he left Western Mexico and walked on at Northern Arizona as a defensive lineman the next season.

Hawkins got stuffed on the first play, and then tight end Morgan McPhaul, one of three tight ends on the field for this heavy package, scored on a 1-yard handoff on a play that even OSU tight ends coach Drew Svoboda raised an eyebrow at when Morris first suggested the play.

“He walked in my office, he said, ‘Coach, are you really handing the ball to Morgan?’” Morris said. “I said ‘Heck yeah man.’ He’s 250 pounds. He’s a great athlete. He’s going to bull his way in there, so that was exciting to see him get in the end zone.”

That’s pretty much exactly what happened as McPhaul, an FCS transfer from Virginia Millitary Institute who played running back in high school back in his eight-man football days, touched the football for only the third time this season.

“It’s pretty awesome,” McPhaul said of the Cowboy offense. “I think we’re the number two offense in the country, something like that, but I mean, I’m not used to being a part of a team this successful and explosive. Playing for coach Morris and coach (Sean) Brophy on offense has been electric.”

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker said that formation reminded him of a similar one Morris used at North Texas last season with a defensive lineman. Especially given its success on Saturday, it sounds like Charles will continue to play on both sides of the ball going forward.

“Obviously, (Charles) did a great job learning kind of what we’re doing in that package,” Morris said. “Hopefully, you know, we continue to utilize him when we get inside the 5-yard line.”