Brailford’s effort boosts D-line
STILLWATER — In addition to the usual game film review he does with his players, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer had a specific sequence of last week’s 59-21 win at Pitt that he wanted them to watch closely.
It was a four-play stretch at the end of the first quarter that had little bearing on the final outcome.
It wasn’t a particularly dominant performance by the Cowboys, nor was it a string of defensive collapses that needed to be addressed.
It was simply a supreme example of effort.
And Jordan Brailford was the star of the show.
“He was all over the field,” Spencer said of his sophomore defensive end. “He’s chasing balls down 20, 30 yards on the other side of the field.
“To have a defensive end playing with that kind of energy, I said, ‘Guys, if we have 11 guys doing this every snap, playing like this, like he’s on fire — if we have 11 guys doing that, we’ll have a chance to do some
special things.”
This week’s visit from TCU will pose a challenge, with quarterback Kenny Hill having the ability to escape the pocket and run. And he has other speedy players around him who can make plays.
Oklahoma State’s defensive line succeeds with a wealth of versatile and reliable players. Nine guys who can be trusted to make plays, but not a superstar in the bunch.
At least not yet. Maybe Brailford, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Tulsa Washington product, could be that guy.
“We have a lot of depth,” Brailford said. “You’ve got to find a way to make plays with the limited amount of snaps we get. But that’s also a good thing to save our legs. It’s all about making plays when we get in the games.”
If nothing else, his fourplay sequence on Saturday should at least provide some inspiration to his team. Here’s how it played out:
• First play: Brailford broke through a two-tight end double-team and was heading straight for Pitt quarterback Max Browne’s chest when Browne got rid of the ball. The errant throw fell incomplete and a holding call backed up the Panthers.
• Second play: Brailford got turned inside by a tight end, but spun out of the block just as Pitt running back Chawntez Moss ran by him. Brailford took off behind him, catching up to make the tackle 33 yards downfield. Another holding call brought it back.
• Third play: Brailford beat Pitt’s right tackle around the edge, but Browne dumped the ball to Moss going left. Brailford tracked him to the other
side of the field to make the tackle for a 12-yard gain.
• Fourth play: Lined up against Pitt’s left tackle, Brailford bounced off two blockers and pursued Browne to the right side of the field. When the quarterback tossed to his tight end on the right sideline, Brailford pursued him and got in on the tackle, forcing Pitt to punt.
“You can pick out plays this year and you’ll go, are you kidding me? That’s a defensive end?” Spencer said. “That’s awesome.
“I’ve been greatly pleased with him. Just knock on wood that he has a lot more success this year.”
Later in the game, Brailford sacked backup quarterback Ben Narduzzi, drilling him into the turf and nearly causing a fumble. It was Brailford’s second sack of the year. No other defensive end has one yet.
This is Brailford’s fourth season on campus, but he’s classified as a redshirt
sophomore because of long-term injuries that cost him the 2014 and 2016 seasons.
Preseason camp wasn’t easy for Brailford. OSU’s medical personnel brought him along slowly as he healed from offseason shoulder surgery. He spent the first couple weeks of August watching from the sidelines.
“The majority of August, I was with coach (Rob) Glass doing a little extra conditioning,” Brailford said. “Mostly, while practice was going on, I was just running the whole practice. The one thing I can do this season is run.”
Now on the field, he’s taking advantage of his opportunities.
“He’s playing well,” Mike Gundy said. “There’s time that he’s running across the field, making plays on runs. He’s won effort awards for our team the last two weeks. I think he gains a little more confidence each week.”