Practicing against offense will help defense
The Oklahoma State and Texas Tech offenses have their similarities.
Formations that spread the field. Lots of talented wide receivers who get involved in the action. A variety of passing routes to all areas.
But schematically, the offenses aren’t so similar.
OSU linebacker Chad Whitener says Texas Tech has “a different philosophy for how they want to run the ball, and the way they get to their passing routes.”
But practicing against the OSU offense on a regular basis still benefits the Cowboy defense, because of the fast pace at which the offense moves.
“Practicing against the tempo helps,” Whitener said.
“(On Tuesday) we had a period where we were just flying, and that’s the biggest thing for us.”
Facing all of OSU’s receivers in practice serves as a good reminder of how to approach pass coverage against Tech.
“All those dudes are crazy-fast and agile,” Whitener said of Tech’s receivers, four of whom average at least four catches per game.
“They run their offense really efficiently. You’ve got to know the guys they like to go to, but if you take away one guy too much, then they’ll hit other guys.
“That’s how our offense is. If you focus on James Washington too much, you’ll get hit somewhere else.”
Washington on the move in OSU record book
Last week, Oklahoma State star receiver James Washington passed Dez Bryant for the No. 4 spot on the school’s all-time receiving touchdown list when he caught his 30th career TD. Hart Lee Dykes is next on the list with 31, with Justin Blackmon (40) and Rashaun Woods (42) topping off the list. With 3,443 career receiving yards, Washington needs just 68 yards to pass Dykes for third on the school’s all-time receiving yards list. Blackmon is 120 yards ahead of Washington in second, with Woods well ahead of everyone with 4,414 career yards. Washington is currently the NCAA FBS active career leader in receiving touchdowns (30), receiving yards (3,443) and yards per reception (20.1). He has caught a pass in 36 straight games, a streak that dates back to his freshman year.
Quotable
Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury on OSU linebacker Calvin Bundage: “When they have him in the game, he flies around, he’s in on sacks, he’s getting his hand on the football in different ways. You can tell he’s an impact player. Very athletic. Has a nose for the football.”