RECAP: Cowboys Win 7th Straight Game, Rolls TCU 31-6

The Cowboys (9-2*, 7-1 Big 12) must have felt bad for their fans after the last two weeks, because they put away the Horned Frogs (5-5, 3-4 Big 12) with relative ease this week, giving the fans two weeks off before Bedlam on December 3rd.

It started relatively slow, with the Cowboys turning the ball over on downs to begin the game. TCU punted after a three-and-out, followed by an OSU punt, followed by another TCU punt. This is where it got hairy. On the TCU rugby-style punt, Barry J. Sanders decided to try and field it on his own 11 yard line, and fumbled the ball.

TCU recovered the ball on their six yard line, and two plays later, punched it in to take a 6-0 lead. The extra point was blocked by - who else? Vincent Taylor. It was Taylor’s 4th blocked kick of the year, which gives him the lead for blocked kicks in the nation.

Mason Rudolph and Co. wasted no time claiming the lead from the Frogs, as Rudolph led the offense on a 9 play, 68 yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a couple of throws to Chris Lacy. One was a gain for 30 yards, the other was a three yard pass for the touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Cowboys had a 7-6 lead.

This touchdown was followed by five straight punts, with the longest drive lasting a measly six plays. The Pokes got the ball back with a little under five minutes left in the half, and went on an 11 play, 50 yard drive which ended on a Ben Grogan field goal to push the lead to 10-6.

10-6?! That’s the score at half?! Where are we, the Big 10? Fortunately, the Cowboys came out firing in the second half, and ran away with the game in rather quick fashion.

The Cowboys scored touchdowns on the first three drives of the second half, and seemingly could do no wrong. The first drive was nine plays, 91 yards, and ended in Chris Carson imposing his will to score. Follow that with Ben Grogan punching the extra point through the uprights, and the Cowboys led 17-6.

On their next possession, Rudolph hit Lacy for 63 yards to bring the Cowboys down to the TCU 2 yard line. Rudolph called his own number on the next play, and rushed two yards to score his second touchdown of the game.

The Cowboys’ next drive was an impressive 10 play, 94 yard touchdown drive to extend the lead to 31-6. Rudolph must have had an itch to get out and run, because he once again called his own number and scampered for the 12 yard touchdown run to push the Pokes to 31-6.

Defensively, the Cowboys decided they didn’t want TCU hanging around like Texas Tech did, and proceeded to shut TCU down for most of the second half. Lenzy Pipkins grabbed the first interception of day on a miscommunication between Hill and his wide out. After a promising start to the drive, TCU ended up turning the ball over on downs (this was a common outcome for the Frogs today). Hill only lasted one more drive, which ended after he was picked for the second time today by Justin Phillips.

The Cowboys weren’t able to capitalize on the second turnover of the day, as Ben Grogan missed only his third field goal of the year, but in the end, it doesn’t even matter. On their last drive, the Frogs once again turned the ball over on downs, and the Pokes took over with four and a half minutes of time to kill, which they did successfully. Chris Carson ran like a man possessed all day, and wouldn’t let one wimpy defender take him down.

As I said earlier, other than the Sanders’ fumble, Oklahoma State could do no wrong. Rudolph had a very sub-par day (based on what he normally does) with 207 yards on 17/34 passes and one touchdown with zero turnovers. He added seven rushes for 23 yards and two scores.

Justice Hill and Chris Carson were in a rushing battle all day long. Hill had 16 carries for 154 yards, and Carson had 17 carries for 146 yards and a score. I’d have to give the edge to Carson in this battle, because of the touchdown and the hit sticks. Seriously though, how great is it to have 300+ yards on the ground again?!

Chris Lacy dominated his matchup today, torching TCU for 109 yards and a score on four receptions. Washington only had 27 yards today, but I’m fine with it because we simply didn’t need much else from him today.

For the Horned Frogs, Hill was 18/27 for 166 yards, with a touchdown and two picks. Hill was also the leading rusher with eight carries for 79 yards. Kyle Hicks was held to 47 yards on 25 carries (!!!), as well as two catches for 20 yards. Emanuel Porter was TCU’s leading receiver, catching four passes for 50 yards.

Jordan Sterns led the Cowboys defensively, with nine tackles (four solo), and a tackle for loss. Justin Phillips had five tackles (one solo), half a sack, half a tackle for loss, and and interception. For the Frogs, Denzel Johnson had 15 tackles (eight solo) and two tackles for loss, and Travin Howard had eight tackles (four solo), half a sack, and half a tackle for loss.

Overall, the Cowboys dominated the Horned Frogs in about every stat. They played like Alabama in the second half, not allowing a point, and scoring rather easily. Here’s a look at how dominating they were overall.

ESPN

7.4 yards per rush. That’s what I’m talking about ‘Boys!

What a great game by the Cowboys in all facets of the game (except for the punt returns). As was said on TV, people are starting to “take notice of that other team in Oklahoma”.

In fact, the College Playoff Committee needs to start taking notice.

All eyes will be on the West Virginia - OU game tonight, but if I had to guess, the December 3rd matchup will once again be the de facto Big 12 Championship Game. We know the game will either be an 11 a.m. or a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Stay tuned to CRFF and we will release information regarding the latest developments in both Bedlam as well as bowl game projections.