Bad news for Big 12 Conference defenses: Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle is new and improved for 2012.
“I put a couple new moves in my repertoire,” Randle said. “There are other things, too, like always focusing on ball security and just trying to take my game to the next level.”
That’s probably the last thing opponents wanted to hear.
Randle, a 6-1, 194-pound junior from Wichita, Kan., was magnificent as a sophomore as he helped the Cowboys to their first conference championship since 1976 and their first outright crown since 1948.
Randle ranked fourth nationally in scoring with 26 touchdowns (24 rushing) and rushed for 1,216 yards.
As good as he was last season, Randle still shared time with junior Jeremy Smith. Randle is more the primary back; Smith was often a short-yardage runner.
They peaked in a 44-10 beat-down of rival Oklahoma, with Randle rushing for 151 yards (7.9 per carry) and two touchdowns and Smith gaining 119 yards (11.9 average) and two touchdowns. It’s an ideal dichotomy as the Cowboys try to replace a pair of first-rounder in the passing game.
“I think me and Jeremy would like to have more carries,” Randle said. “But we don’t call the plays. We just execute what (the coaches) call.”
Randle carried just 208 times last season, and Smith ran 91 times. With wideout Justin Blackmon and quarterback Brandon Weeden off to the NFL, Randle and Smith should both expect their role to expand.
“It’s about off-field leadership since we lost so many great leaders,” Randle said. “New leaders have to step up and fill their roles. Really, it’s about winning games and continuing what the previous groups started.”
Randle is clearly the starter but, constantly pushed by Smith, he spent the offseason getting better and made significant strides in spring practice.
“They are great teammates,” said running backs coach Jemal Singleton.
“There is an opportunity where one guy is the starter and the other’s not, so there can be some animosity between the two, but there’s not.
“Any time one gets success, the other is happy for him. They compete to make each other better. There’s no vendetta between those two. There’s no rivalry between those two. They’re two brothers trying to get better and achieve some common goals.”