Daily Bullets (September 3)

Back to the Well

A common thread in the Cowboys 21-0 start on Thursday was the defender who got torched each time.

(Tyron) Johnson made a tremendous adjustment to catch the pass over Tulsa cornerback Kerwin Thomas.

The throw set a tone for the evening: The Cowboys were going to create big plays at will.

Drive number two lasted just 2 minutes, 13 seconds, and ended when James Washington burned Thomas deep down the middle of the field and caught a 40-yard pass for a score in stride.

Even when Thomas thought he was about to jump a route for an interception, he whiffed, allowing Marcell Ateman to make a catch and run 49 yards to set up OSU’s next score.

At that point, with the score 21-0, the most amazing part was how easy it looked. The three scoring drives took just 4:31 combined. [TulsaWorld]

Three times in a row! Then when Rudolph threw it a hair late to Ateman, it went for 49 yards. Poor fella.

WATCH: Welcome to the SEAson of Orange! Rudolph to Tyron Johnson to start the night for #OKState! #MA2ON pic.twitter.com/lAutT6MuwB

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) August 31, 2017

Filling Out the Depth Chart

Going back to the second half of last season, the burgeoning Cowboy run game has been an amazing improvement.

It is a remarkable sign of progress for a running game stuck in the doldrums from 2013-15. The Cowboys averaged less than 4 yards per carry in 23 of 39 games over those three seasons, and in seven of the first eight games of 2016.

Thursday marked the sixth consecutive game in which OSU averaged more than 4 yards per carry and totaled 180-plus yards on the ground.

Hill is a huge reason for that, but Oklahoma State’s talent at the position overall seems to be on the rise. [TulsaWorld]

Those “or’s” on the depth chart felt like more of a plea that somebody listed would develop – now it points to the favorites in a more than capable stable of backs.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Mizzou TD took back for excessive celebration (slightly unreasonable call)….Baylor wrote a letter of commendation for Briles in May….Ezekiel Elliott admitted to using drugs while at Ohio State (never busted over three years)….How college football teams are supporting/commemorating Harvey victims

Thank goodness for Mr. Wallstadt.

As @CowboyFB kicks off, here's a look back at our event with @thurmanthomas & the story of how @BarrySanders landed in Stillwater. #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/p8OCOdupkj

— Thuzio (@Thuzio) August 31, 2017

This is awesome.

This is anything but a regular PAT.

Jake Olson, blind since age 12, just snapped for the first time in a live game. https://t.co/amyHcFoVue

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 3, 2017

Friend of the Pokes Matt Holliday went yard in the NYY/BoSox game yesterday.

Starting the Holliday weekend the right way. ? pic.twitter.com/iabUCf5fNQ

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2017

Swing and a miss.

Here is what #Wyoming's Tim Zaleski attempt at a punt looked like from my angle. @marcmorehouse @jeremiahdavis10 @Hlas pic.twitter.com/SJRnFRwwvd

— Stephen Mally (@stephenmally) September 2, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Get caught up on what former Pokes made rosters and got cut in the NFL
• Some OSU recruits carried their teams to W’s in week one
• OSU’s pace last Thursday left 2011 in the dust
• Gundy talks farming
• Update from the trenches: offensive line was solid, defense was just ok