PCW
09-06-2008, 06:11 AM
STILLWATER, OKLA. — Kevin Sumlin is keenly aware of how it sounds.
He knows that outsiders are insisting that for the Houston Cougars, today’s affair at Oklahoma State is supposed to be a statement game against an opponent from a big-time conference.
But to Sumlin, today’s game at Boone Pickens Stadium (6:05 p.m.) against the Big 12’s Cowboys really is just another date on the schedule.
And yes, Sumlin knows how that must sound: like coach-speak.
“We prepared for this game the same way we prepared for Southern,” Sumlin said. “I know people think that’s coach-speak, but it’s not. We prepared the same way.”
That’s because Sumlin worries only about the Cougars.
Focus on Cougars
Houston is aware of the Cowboys’ tendencies and personnel, but the most important thing to Sumlin and his coaches is what their players are (or not) doing.
“If you’re doing what we ask you to do and they’re playing hard, then we’re going to perform and the outcome will take care of itself,” he said. “That’s what we do. We’re coaching ourselves. The opponent changes every week, but on Sunday, when we look at the tape, we’re evaluating players doing what they’re supposed to do as fast as they can do it.
“We need to take care of the ball and eliminate some of the presnap penalties. If we do that, then we’ll be all right, no matter who we play.”
The Cougars were more than all right against Southern in last Saturday’s season opener, piling up 615 yards of total offense en route to a 55-3 victory.
Oklahoma State, led by running back Kendall Hunter (107 yards and two touchdowns) and return specialist Perrish Cox (90-yard kickoff return for a score), launched its season with an impressive 39-13 win at Washington State.
The Cowboys also feature big-time playmakers at wide receiver (Dez Bryant) and tight end (Brandon Pettigrew), but Sumlin is only concerned with his players and game plan.
“That’s it,” Sumlin said. “Win or loss, big score or low score, if our guys are doing what we ask them to do at the rate we ask them to do it, then that’s fine.”
The players have adopted the same approach to today’s game.
Great environment
“It’s another game, but it is fun to go into an atmosphere like that,” said sophomore Case Keenum, who riddled Southern for 392 passing yards and five touchdowns. “I think Boone (Pickens) Stadium is a fun place to play, though I’ve never actually played a game there. I’ve seen a game there.
“But it should be high energy and a lot of excitement.”
• When/where: 6:05 p.m.; Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.
• TV/radio: None; 790 AM.
• Records: Houston 1-0; Oklahoma State 1-0.
• Oklahoma State wins if: The Cowboys can force turnovers against a young team that is climbing the learning curve with its new offense. But the Cowboys can’t afford to gamble defensively against an explosive offense like Houston’s.
• Houston wins if: The Cougars take what the defense gives rather than trying to force the issue offensively.
• Stat that matters: Oklahoma State rolled up 195 rushing yards last week in a 39-13 stomping of Washington State. The Cougars, who gave up only 35 rushing yards to Southern (1.5 yards per carry), need to control OSU’s Kendall Hunter, who had 107 yards and two TDs at Washington State.
• Keep an eye on: Houston QB Case Keenum. Oklahoma State will probably bring the house in an attempt to rattle the sophomore Keenum and reduce the time he has to make his reads.
• Chronicle prediction: Oklahoma State 31-24.
michael.murphy@chron.com
He knows that outsiders are insisting that for the Houston Cougars, today’s affair at Oklahoma State is supposed to be a statement game against an opponent from a big-time conference.
But to Sumlin, today’s game at Boone Pickens Stadium (6:05 p.m.) against the Big 12’s Cowboys really is just another date on the schedule.
And yes, Sumlin knows how that must sound: like coach-speak.
“We prepared for this game the same way we prepared for Southern,” Sumlin said. “I know people think that’s coach-speak, but it’s not. We prepared the same way.”
That’s because Sumlin worries only about the Cougars.
Focus on Cougars
Houston is aware of the Cowboys’ tendencies and personnel, but the most important thing to Sumlin and his coaches is what their players are (or not) doing.
“If you’re doing what we ask you to do and they’re playing hard, then we’re going to perform and the outcome will take care of itself,” he said. “That’s what we do. We’re coaching ourselves. The opponent changes every week, but on Sunday, when we look at the tape, we’re evaluating players doing what they’re supposed to do as fast as they can do it.
“We need to take care of the ball and eliminate some of the presnap penalties. If we do that, then we’ll be all right, no matter who we play.”
The Cougars were more than all right against Southern in last Saturday’s season opener, piling up 615 yards of total offense en route to a 55-3 victory.
Oklahoma State, led by running back Kendall Hunter (107 yards and two touchdowns) and return specialist Perrish Cox (90-yard kickoff return for a score), launched its season with an impressive 39-13 win at Washington State.
The Cowboys also feature big-time playmakers at wide receiver (Dez Bryant) and tight end (Brandon Pettigrew), but Sumlin is only concerned with his players and game plan.
“That’s it,” Sumlin said. “Win or loss, big score or low score, if our guys are doing what we ask them to do at the rate we ask them to do it, then that’s fine.”
The players have adopted the same approach to today’s game.
Great environment
“It’s another game, but it is fun to go into an atmosphere like that,” said sophomore Case Keenum, who riddled Southern for 392 passing yards and five touchdowns. “I think Boone (Pickens) Stadium is a fun place to play, though I’ve never actually played a game there. I’ve seen a game there.
“But it should be high energy and a lot of excitement.”
• When/where: 6:05 p.m.; Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.
• TV/radio: None; 790 AM.
• Records: Houston 1-0; Oklahoma State 1-0.
• Oklahoma State wins if: The Cowboys can force turnovers against a young team that is climbing the learning curve with its new offense. But the Cowboys can’t afford to gamble defensively against an explosive offense like Houston’s.
• Houston wins if: The Cougars take what the defense gives rather than trying to force the issue offensively.
• Stat that matters: Oklahoma State rolled up 195 rushing yards last week in a 39-13 stomping of Washington State. The Cougars, who gave up only 35 rushing yards to Southern (1.5 yards per carry), need to control OSU’s Kendall Hunter, who had 107 yards and two TDs at Washington State.
• Keep an eye on: Houston QB Case Keenum. Oklahoma State will probably bring the house in an attempt to rattle the sophomore Keenum and reduce the time he has to make his reads.
• Chronicle prediction: Oklahoma State 31-24.
michael.murphy@chron.com