/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/23358849/20131116_kkt_sq8_005.0.jpg)
Is anyone still sleeping on Clint Chelf and his running ability? I'm not sure which game film Texas watched to prepare for Gundy and company, but it wasn't the Texas Tech game.
Chelf single handedly dismantled Texas early to go up 7-0. Taking out the plays for no gain, the drive reads: Chelf rush for 14 yards, Chelf 18 yard pass complete to Desmond Roland, Chelf 22 yard run, Chelf rush for 18 yards and a touchdown.
Choo Choo Chelf put the team on his back and led all rushers in yards per carry and total yards. Any notions of him being just a throwing QB are gone. Chelf didn't just carve up the Longhorns on the ground he was dominant through the air as well. He threw for almost 200 yards and 2 TD's, and had a 70% completion percentage. 70%!
Texas' game plan was the ol' ground and pound. Control the clock and wear us down. 10 of their first 13 plays were handing the ball to Malcolm Brown.
For a while it was working. Oklahoma State fans everywhere were hitting the bottle as Chelf threw a pick for a touchback. You could feel the momentum swinging in Texas' favor. Drinking levels were nearing blackout proportions as McCoy and Brown marched down the field, and capped off the drive with a 7 yard TD run to pull within four.
OK State answered big. They used the remaining 3:52 of the half to put the game away. There were 4 keys plays that blew the game wide open.
Clint opened up the drive with a 24 yard strike to Charlie Moore to move the ball to the Texas 43 yard line.
Then, facing 3rd & 10, Chelf hit Jhajuan Seales with a 29 yard pass, moving the ball to the Texas 14 and keeping the drive alive.
Seales did a fantastic job turning around to reel that in. If Chelf leads him, that's a TD. He was wide open with no one in front of him.
Outside of Quandre Diggs looking silly, Seales ran a great wheel route. His route running has been suspect at times this season, but he did a great job getting separation. He was clutch at a key point in the game. You can't teach that.
This was the turning point in the game. The defense was tired, and got pushed around the drive before. Texas was seizing momentum, and looking to get more points before the half. If Seales doesn't convert that 3rd down, we could be talking about a completely different game.
That setup ESPN's SportsCenter #7 Top 10 Play from Saturday.
I think my words watching it live were, "Son of a... wait? What just happened?... YAAAA!!!!!".
The tip-drill-TD catch by Tracy Moore requires an unbelievable amount of skill and focus. The touchdown was huge. We answered their answer, and were taking back momentum with just 2:24 left in the half.
Closing out the rest of the half was the defining point of the game. Texas puked down their leg, and abandoned their ground and pound to try and grab points just before the half. It might of worked, expect they forgot one thing.
Don't kick towards Justin Gilbert, Don't throw towards Justin Gilbert. Don't even look towards Justin Gilbert.......unless you want to be Gilbertized.
Mack Brown's reaction was priceless. He knew Justin Gilbert's pick-6 just before the half put the game to bed. The 3rd down conversion was the key play of the game, but this was the dagger.
The Pokes maintained a comfortable lead through the rest of the game.
Texas was never able to go back to the ground and pound that had success early. The scoreboard dictated they put the ball in the air, and an opportunistic Gilbert and Caleb Lavey were waiting. The Longhorn's second half drives ended as follows: Field Goal, Punt, INT, INT, Punt, Turnover on Downs, and the end of the game.
For the most part the Cowboy's defense was suffocating. They held Case McCoy and the Texas offense to the fewest points they've scored all season. The Pokes didn't just beat Texas, they crushed them. It was the worst defeat Texas has ever had at home under Mack Brown. The Cowboys were dominant on all three sides of the ball, and showed just how good this team can be when everything is clicking.
Some more quick thoughts...
The receivers really stepped up with Stewart out. Charlie Moore led all receivers with 6 catches for 83 yards, and a pretty great TD
I could do without David Glidden fielding punts off his helmet. That was awful.
Ben Grogan hit a 39 yard field goal, and showed that he can be a solid kicker.
Final thought, College GameDay is coming to Stillwater next week when Baylor comes to town. You might want to stock up on Pepto and booze, if only to deal with their fans.
Go Pokes!!!