JimBob
09-09-2008, 07:17 PM
OSU Notebook
By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer
9/9/2008
Last Modified: 9/9/2008 3:26 AM
Doing their jobs: While Dez Bryant has been the only Oklahoma State wide receiver to make a considerable impact catching the ball in the first two games, it does not mean the other wide receivers are not getting the job done.
OSU coach Mike Gundy emphasized that point Monday in his weekly press conference. Gundy said after reviewing the film of last Saturday's victory against Houston that the offense as a whole had 89 knockdown blocks.
Gundy said his offense usually strives for 65-70 knockdown blocks for each game.
The impressive individual total emerging from that was the 12 recorded by wide receiver DeMarcus Conner. To Gundy, that is a respectable accomplishment that does not get recognized as it should.
"That's unbelievable for a wide receiver to have 12 knockdowns in one game," Gundy said. "I continue to talk about this because I get concerned about all the press Dez gets and (running back) Kendall (Hunter), too. We had 89 knockdowns in the game. We had 89 guys on the other team who had their hand on the ground. When you get that, you are going to get some yardage and you are going to score some points."
Blocking downfield is a standard requirement among the Cowboy receivers. Their position coach, Trooper Taylor, opened the offensive coaches meeting Sunday and the receivers meeting Monday by showing Damian Davis' knockdown of not one, but two Houston defensive backs. The blocks helped Bryant bust loose for a 74-yard touchdown reception.
"That's tough to do. But that shows you they're buying in and trying to help the guys running with the football," Taylor said. "We talk about unbelievable effort, but it's hard to find it.
"Anybody can talk about it, but when you show it on tape, kids start to believe and say I can do it."
More honors for Bryant: Two more awards rolled in Monday for Bryant. The sophomore was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week after his nine-catch, 236-yard, three-touchdown performance against Houston.
Bryant also was selected as one of four nominees for this week's AT&T All-America Player of the Week.
Other candidates for this week's honor, selected by ESPN, are Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney and Michigan State running back Javon Ringer.
Fans can choose the winner by sending a text message VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phones. Voting ends at 10:59 p.m. Wednesday and the winner will be revealed on ESPN's Thursday night college football telecast.
On Sunday, Bryant was named the Walter Camp Foundation's national Offensive Player of the Week.
Injury report: Sophomore wide receiver Artrell Woods has a brace on his strained left knee and likely will miss Saturday's game against Missouri State. Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman is hopeful senior defensive tackle Jeray Chatham can return to practice by the middle of the week and play Saturday. Chatham aggravated a foot injury early in the first half against Houston and sat out the remainder of the game.
Checking in: For the second straight week, Gundy was interrupted during a press conference. On Monday, he received a text message from younger brother and OU running backs coach Cale. Cale was inquiring if Mike was in the middle of a press conference.
During his weekly press conference last week, Gundy's wife, Kristen, called his cell phone. The video clip was shown by various television stations across the state.
By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer
9/9/2008
Last Modified: 9/9/2008 3:26 AM
Doing their jobs: While Dez Bryant has been the only Oklahoma State wide receiver to make a considerable impact catching the ball in the first two games, it does not mean the other wide receivers are not getting the job done.
OSU coach Mike Gundy emphasized that point Monday in his weekly press conference. Gundy said after reviewing the film of last Saturday's victory against Houston that the offense as a whole had 89 knockdown blocks.
Gundy said his offense usually strives for 65-70 knockdown blocks for each game.
The impressive individual total emerging from that was the 12 recorded by wide receiver DeMarcus Conner. To Gundy, that is a respectable accomplishment that does not get recognized as it should.
"That's unbelievable for a wide receiver to have 12 knockdowns in one game," Gundy said. "I continue to talk about this because I get concerned about all the press Dez gets and (running back) Kendall (Hunter), too. We had 89 knockdowns in the game. We had 89 guys on the other team who had their hand on the ground. When you get that, you are going to get some yardage and you are going to score some points."
Blocking downfield is a standard requirement among the Cowboy receivers. Their position coach, Trooper Taylor, opened the offensive coaches meeting Sunday and the receivers meeting Monday by showing Damian Davis' knockdown of not one, but two Houston defensive backs. The blocks helped Bryant bust loose for a 74-yard touchdown reception.
"That's tough to do. But that shows you they're buying in and trying to help the guys running with the football," Taylor said. "We talk about unbelievable effort, but it's hard to find it.
"Anybody can talk about it, but when you show it on tape, kids start to believe and say I can do it."
More honors for Bryant: Two more awards rolled in Monday for Bryant. The sophomore was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week after his nine-catch, 236-yard, three-touchdown performance against Houston.
Bryant also was selected as one of four nominees for this week's AT&T All-America Player of the Week.
Other candidates for this week's honor, selected by ESPN, are Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney and Michigan State running back Javon Ringer.
Fans can choose the winner by sending a text message VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phones. Voting ends at 10:59 p.m. Wednesday and the winner will be revealed on ESPN's Thursday night college football telecast.
On Sunday, Bryant was named the Walter Camp Foundation's national Offensive Player of the Week.
Injury report: Sophomore wide receiver Artrell Woods has a brace on his strained left knee and likely will miss Saturday's game against Missouri State. Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman is hopeful senior defensive tackle Jeray Chatham can return to practice by the middle of the week and play Saturday. Chatham aggravated a foot injury early in the first half against Houston and sat out the remainder of the game.
Checking in: For the second straight week, Gundy was interrupted during a press conference. On Monday, he received a text message from younger brother and OU running backs coach Cale. Cale was inquiring if Mike was in the middle of a press conference.
During his weekly press conference last week, Gundy's wife, Kristen, called his cell phone. The video clip was shown by various television stations across the state.