Freshman QB riddles Cowboys in debut
Using a backup quarterback who’s a true freshman, Iowa State easily solved any riddle posed by an Oklahoma State defense coached by a first-year coordinator.
The Cyclones came in ranked 124th in total offense among 130 FBS teams and it did not matter one iota as they shredded the host Cowboys for 465 yards in a 48-42 upset.
Oklahoma State, which moved back into the rankings at No. 25, fell to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12, where it has surrendered 484.4 total yards and 6.7 yards per play in three games. The 1-2 start in conference play is the first for the Cowboys since 2006. They have lost five of their last seven conference home games.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles had few answers for breakdowns in communication, adjustments, positioning and tackling against Iowa State. Issues that have sometimes been masked because the Cowboys lead the nation in sacks (28) were not overcome as Iowa State scored almost as many offensive touchdowns (six) as it managed in its previous four games (seven).
Knowles conceded the learning curve remains somewhat steep for his relatively young defense.
“You hate it as a coach but it is,” he said. “You want to be great right way. Unfortunately, it’s taking some time.”
Again, however, it is worth noting that Iowa State had inserted a complete newcomer at QB. All Brock Purdy did was singe the Oklahoma State defense for TD passes of 26, 23 and 60 yards, while adding a 29-yard scoring rush. Not bad for a debut, especially on the road in a place where the Cyclones had not won in 18 years.
That’s a bitter reflection on problems that figured to now keep Oklahoma State out of contention for a Big 12 championship game berth after a promising 3-0 start that enabled the Cowboys to climb to No. 15 in the polls.
Youth is a factor behind Oklahoma State’s defensive lapses, particularly in the back ends where two freshmen and a sophomore are mainstays at safety. The Cowboys will try to bounce back on Saturday when they play at Kansas State (2-4, 0-3), another team that has struggled mightily on offense while winless in the Big 12.
Not all problems can be attributed to the Oklahoma State defense.
The Cowboys were tackled for losses 16 times by Iowa State and finished with 21 negative plays out of 82 snaps after also being assessed nine penalties for 87 yards. Oklahoma State allowed seven sacks and as good as its defense has been pressuring quarterbacks, the offensive line has been bad protecting first-year starting quarterback Taylor Cornelius.
“When you make mistakes by not being disciplined and structured, those things really wear on me,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “It really falls on my shoulders right now. I want to be disciplined and structured in the little things.”
One potential plus is Kansas State has allowed more sacks (21, worst in the Big 12) in its run-oriented attack than Oklahoma State (18) has attempting to balance its offense behind Cornelius’ arm and the legs of running back Justice Hill.