Notebook: OSU Defense Nearly Pitches Perfect Game against USA Jags

Oklahoma State did not show off the same fast start as in Week 1, going three-and-out on its first possession. On the very next drive, the Cowboys were held to a field goal. But Rudolph and Co. did get things going in the passing game and left coastal Alabama with a dominant win and near shutout.

Let’s get into the notebook.

• Although Ladd-Peeples Stadium holds a capacity of 40,600, this felt like a real Friday night lights contest with the high school crowd. Attendance at the game was 26,487 according to Mark Cooper of the Tulsa World. There were a couple of other issues, as well. The play clock went down less than three minutes into first quarter then one the scoreboards went out.

Lots of empty seats as we get going here. Maybe a few late arrivals in the parking lots pic.twitter.com/rOU6jUqmYB

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) September 9, 2017

• With Mason Rudolph 11 yards from the record on a third and 3, James Washington gets a false start called and then Aaron Cochran was whistled for an illegal substitution on fourth down which pushed the field goal attempt to 41 yards — which Ammendola missed. There were some ugly points of the first half of this one.

• But…

Through two games, Oklahoma State has outscored its opponents 38-0 in the first quarter; Cowboys were +67 in first quarter last season.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 9, 2017

• OSU’s defense started strong not allowing a first down until halfway through the second quarter. It continued that dominance all game pitching a near shutout. South Alabama has never been held scoreless in its nine years as a program. OSU hasn’t forced one since Savannah State in 2012.

• Back in the spring Mike Gundy told us what to expect from Matt Ammendola. “We’ll see how he develops,” Gundy said. “Right now, in practice and games, he’s been six-for-six from 55 yards and out, but he hasn’t been good from 35 and in.” Against Tulsa, “Philly,” as he’s affectionately known by Gundy, missed a 33-yard kick and then missed a 42-yard attempt in this game. Give him back to 53 and he drives it down the middle with distance to spare. That one tied a career-long for Ammendola for fourth-longest all-time at Oklahoma State. He finished 3 of 4 with another make from 48 yards.

• Kenneth Edison-McGruder didn’t make the trip to Mobile after sustaining a reported injury during practice. He’s day-to-day and could return next week. Star linebacker Calvin Bundage got called for a targeting penalty early in the third quarter. So the Cowboys could be very thin at Star when they kick off in Pittsburgh next week. Bundage will be ineligible until the second half.

• Takin’ It Back. One play after A.J. Green got an interception called back for holding call, DeQuinton Osborne recovered a Jaguar fumble. Then there was the Darrion Daniels blocked pass that bounced out of Trey Carter’s mitts and was secured by Justin Phillips before he darted to the end zone.

• The Cowboy defensive linemen were the stars of the night. Jarrell Owens had two solo tackles for loss in the first quarter. Jordan Brailford pitchds in 1.5 TFLs and a sack. DeQuinton Osborne had a sack. Enoch Smith Jr. got his career first as well. Cole Walterscheid had a couple of solo tackles and the forced fumble recovered by DQ.

• Adrian Baker made his OSU debut with a pair of tackles and a pass breakup.

• The young corners continued to produce. Rodarius Williams led the team with four solo tackles and A.J. Green would have had an interception if not for his holding penalty that led to it.

• After just one official target in the season opener, Tyron Johnson was second among receivers with six targets which he turned into four catches for 43 yards. Marcell Ateman and Chris Lacy led the way on the outside with seven targets each for a combined 105 yards and two scores by Ateman. Tylan Wallace had one target for one 7-yard catch.

• James Washington only got only three looks but caught two of them for 98 yards and a score. That TD moved the Prez into a tie with Dez Bryant for fourth place in career touchdown receptions at OSU (29). He’s two behind Hart Lee Dykes (31), 11 behind Justin Blackmon (40) and 13 behind the all-time leader Rashaun Woods (42).

• Speaking of history, Mason Rudolph passed Brandon Weeden as OSU’s all-time passing leader. He finished the night with a career total of 9,352 after his 335-yard performance that was over in the third quarter with the Cowboys up 41-0.

• Keondre Wudtee got the nod over the Oil Baron in the third quarter and the results were mixed. He completed just one of his three passes for seven yards. He did rush three times for 29 yards and led the team with an average of 9.7 yards per carry.

• That running game… After looking like a world-beater against Tulsa, the Cowboys came back to Earth with a team average of 4.4 yards per carry. South Alabama was set on stopping the run and it showed. On average, quarterbacks Keondre Wudtee and Mason Rudolph accounted for two of the top three Cowboys in yards per carry. J.D. King did have a 64 yards on eight carries.

• Linebacker Kevin Henry is out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in practice earlier this week.

Next up: Oklahoma State heads to Pittsburgh for its first Saturday game and its third and final non-conference contest.