TW:Ask the beat writer

[JimBob]

Ask the beat writer


By Staff Reports
10/29/2008
Last Modified: 10/29/2008 2:59 AM


At crunch time in the Texas game, why did OSU stop running the football?

Play-caller Mike Gundy's decision to try fourth-quarter passes might have let the top-ranked Longhorns off the hook.

On their first 18 rush attempts of the second half, the Cowboys netted 136 yards — an average of 7.6 yards per attempt. OSU gained at least 4 yards on 13 runs.

After recovering a Colt McCoy fumble with 5:27 left to play, OSU trailed 28-24 and had possession of the football at its own 10-yard line. First three plays — Kendall Hunter for 8 yards, Hunter for 8, Hunter for 5.

There was the thought that OSU might attempt to replicate its third-quarter TD drive against Troy, when the Cowboys marched 99 yards in 11 plays and did it all on the ground. That drive consumed 5:25.

But instead of continuing to shred Texas with Hunter runs, Gundy called pass plays. On second-and-5, Zac Robinson was sacked. On third down, he scrambled for 1 yard. On fourth-and-6, Dez Bryant collected a middle screen but was dumped for a 3-yard loss.

A huge opportunity had dissolved.

[Lewis the Pike]

I will stand by Gundy; we're not in that position without him.

running may have worked, but passing didn't work. This was the #1 team on the road, not freaking Eastern Montana school of Optometry. We got beat. No need to finger point. This is more second-guessing, which the press are paid to do.

As a former sportswriter, I will easily admit it's easier to do your work with a pen and paper, than with an etch-a-sketch

[osueyedoc]

Lewis, most Optometrists would have dotted UT's eye's on that last drive.
On a serious note what the heck question did that article answer?

[Verb]

On a serious note what the heck question did that article answer?

I was wondering exactly the same thing. Not much of an "article," was it?