How Glenn Spencer Gave Mike Gundy His 100th Win

As Cowboy fans filed out of Boone Pickens Stadium Saturday afternoon a fun scene was unfolding in the Oklahoma State locker room. Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer had made his way down from his new office upstairs in time to present Mike Gundy the game ball and celebrate the head coach’s 100th win. It was a great gesture for sure but was not without a sense of poetic justice.

Earlier this season, after OSU lost to Baylor due to a sloppy effort on both sides of the ball, some changes had to be made. Conflicting reports came from different sources but regardless of what occurred on that plane ride back from Waco, Spencer was moved from his long-time side line spot up to the booth to better see the field.

Spencer’s defense has taken some criticism this season and for good reason. They’ve been one of the worst in the Big 12 at giving up big plays, especially in the passing game.

Saturday they welcomed an improved Skyler Howard who sported a 12 to 4 touchdown to interception ratio in his six wins. Howard saw his fair share of pressure and was sacked four times. He was able to throw for one touchdown and rush for one but threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in his own red zone.

That’s the Cowboy defense at its best. The “bend, don’t break” style that has given them success and sometimes frustrated fans is best when they create take-aways. Sure they gave up chunk yardage at times but that was a little by design. It was obvious that Glenn Spencer was not going to let his guys get beat deep, almost playing “prevent” defense at times.

The difference in this game? They won the turnover battle three to zero against a team that came in tied for second best in the conference in turnovers committed.

Not only did the OSU defense create turnovers, they gave the ball back to the offense in great field position. Each of the three turnovers were recovered inside the West Virginia 15-yard line resulting in two touchdowns and a field goal. Those 17 points equal the Cowboys’ margin of victory against the No. 10 ranked team in the country.

Game, blouses. https://t.co/sQ5849k1wf

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) October 29, 2016

Glenn Spencer when asked about Gundy’s 100-win mark after the game.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Spencer. “It doesn’t happen very often. It happened fast. …I wanted to make sure the guys realized it’s a big moment.”

OSU is now tied for No. 4 in the nation in turnover margin (1.25). It’s a stat that bodes well for Glenn Spencer and his defense.

They face a challenge this weekend as they travel to Manhattan to face a Wildcat team that has committed a Big 12-least seven turnovers and has a reputation for not beating themselves.