GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Oklahoma State pass rushers should get significant penetration in Saturday’s game at Kansas State, particularly if the Cowboys can gain a lead and force the Wildcats to throw. Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson is not altogether mobile, though the Wildcats can catch teams off guard with their quarterback run game and the brute force of RB Alex Barnes, who is coming off a 250-yard rushing output in an Oct. 6 loss at Baylor. Kansas State has allowed 21 sacks, the most in the Big 12, while Oklahoma State leads the nation with 28 sacks, including eight by DE Jordan Brailford.
DRAFT SLANT
–P Zach Sinor figures to at least get a look from NFL teams, especially after becoming a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award as a sophomore. However, the senior made an uncharacteristic error in the first quarter of the Iowa State loss when he dropped a snap in the end zone. The mistake resulted in a seven-yard loss for a safety and was part of a 16-point barrage the Cyclones used to gain control. Sinor still leads the Big 12 with a 46.9-yard average in conference play after sitting out the first three games after undergoing preseason hernia surgery.
ROSTER REPORT
–OT Arlington Hambright missed the loss to Iowa State with an ankle injury he suffered in the first quarter of the Kansas win on Sept. 29. Hambright is expected to miss the game at Kansas State.
–OL Teven Jenkins, who moved to left tackle against Kansas, will continue to man the position in Hambright’s absence. OT Shane Richards manned the right side, though the Cowboys’ front line struggled mightily against Iowa State, allowing 16 tackles for loss and considerable pressure on QB Taylor Cornelius.
–LB Calvin Bundage, one of Oklahoma State’s most experienced defenders, returned off an injury to play against Iowa State. He recorded four tackles, including one for loss. S Malcolm Rodriguez also returned but did not start. Rodriguez played much of the second half and recorded six stops.
–WR Dillon Stoner returned off an injury to provide the Oklahoma State receiving corps some needed depth. Stoner had one catch for 31 yards against Iowa State.
–Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy indicated that QB Spencer Sanders, a prize freshman recruit, will be targeted for a redshirt. He added that all redshirt freshmen who have not played to this point will probably redshirt.
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