snuffy
10-07-2008, 07:22 AM
No three-and-outs for Missouri
OSU football Improved defensive numbers will be put to test Saturday
By Scott Wright
Published: October 7, 2008
STILLWATER — You might have heard this statistic already, and you’ll probably hear it at least 20 more times between now and Saturday: Missouri hasn’t had a three-and-out offensive series with Chase Daniel at quarterback this season.
Five games, 48 drives, 28 touchdowns, no three-and-outs.
"Pretty amazing,” was the only way Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy could think of to describe the numbers.
Now, his 17th-ranked Cowboys are next in line to try to end the streak. But for the OSU defense in Saturday’s 7 p.m. showdown with No. 3 Missouri, it’s not just about three-and-outs. It’s about third-down-and-out.
"Third downs are crucial,” OSU defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. "If your third-down percentage is good, then you usually have a good opportunity to win the football game.
"And if we can get our offense the football, they have a pretty good chance to score.”
Last season, OSU ranked 11th in the Big 12 Conference in first downs allowed (22.7 per game) and seventh in third-down conversions allowed (41.3 percent).
So far this year, those numbers are improved. The Cowboys are allowing 19.8 first downs per game, and they rank 15th nationally, giving up first downs on 29.6 percent of third-down plays.
But those numbers haven’t been put to the test yet like they will Saturday against the nation’s No. 2 offense.
"We haven’t had a lot of success getting off the field in third-and-long. That’s really hurt us,” junior linebacker Andre Sexton said. "It seems like it’s hard to get a team in third-and-long, but for us, but for us it’s been even harder to get off the field on third-and-long.”
The Cowboys have given up 10 first downs this season on plays of third-and-seven or longer.
"We need to get off the field when we have those chances,” linebacker Patrick Lavine said.
Complicating the issue, Missouri ranks fifth nationally on third down, converting 53.6 percent into third downs.
With Daniel at quarterback, Missouri has had 28 drives end with touchdowns, seven with field goals (two missed), five with punts, four fumbles, three turnovers on downs and one interception.
So do the Cowboys consider it a challenge to be the first team to force a Mizzou three-and-out?
"I don’t consider that one of our goals,” Lavine said. "Forcing a three-and-out — we’re gonna be prepared for that to happen throughout the game.”
OSU football Improved defensive numbers will be put to test Saturday
By Scott Wright
Published: October 7, 2008
STILLWATER — You might have heard this statistic already, and you’ll probably hear it at least 20 more times between now and Saturday: Missouri hasn’t had a three-and-out offensive series with Chase Daniel at quarterback this season.
Five games, 48 drives, 28 touchdowns, no three-and-outs.
"Pretty amazing,” was the only way Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy could think of to describe the numbers.
Now, his 17th-ranked Cowboys are next in line to try to end the streak. But for the OSU defense in Saturday’s 7 p.m. showdown with No. 3 Missouri, it’s not just about three-and-outs. It’s about third-down-and-out.
"Third downs are crucial,” OSU defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. "If your third-down percentage is good, then you usually have a good opportunity to win the football game.
"And if we can get our offense the football, they have a pretty good chance to score.”
Last season, OSU ranked 11th in the Big 12 Conference in first downs allowed (22.7 per game) and seventh in third-down conversions allowed (41.3 percent).
So far this year, those numbers are improved. The Cowboys are allowing 19.8 first downs per game, and they rank 15th nationally, giving up first downs on 29.6 percent of third-down plays.
But those numbers haven’t been put to the test yet like they will Saturday against the nation’s No. 2 offense.
"We haven’t had a lot of success getting off the field in third-and-long. That’s really hurt us,” junior linebacker Andre Sexton said. "It seems like it’s hard to get a team in third-and-long, but for us, but for us it’s been even harder to get off the field on third-and-long.”
The Cowboys have given up 10 first downs this season on plays of third-and-seven or longer.
"We need to get off the field when we have those chances,” linebacker Patrick Lavine said.
Complicating the issue, Missouri ranks fifth nationally on third down, converting 53.6 percent into third downs.
With Daniel at quarterback, Missouri has had 28 drives end with touchdowns, seven with field goals (two missed), five with punts, four fumbles, three turnovers on downs and one interception.
So do the Cowboys consider it a challenge to be the first team to force a Mizzou three-and-out?
"I don’t consider that one of our goals,” Lavine said. "Forcing a three-and-out — we’re gonna be prepared for that to happen throughout the game.”