Yet another big test for OSU cornerbacks
LUBBOCK, TEXAS — This game presents the biggest challenge yet for the Oklahoma State cornerbacks. And if you thought you heard the sound of a record skipping while you read that sentence, it’s understandable.
The statement was true at Pitt two weeks ago, and true again heading into last week’s TCU game.
In the 7 p.m. showdown at Texas Tech Saturday, it’s accurate once more.
And there are bigger tests still to come. This is only the second weekend of Big 12 Conference play, after all.
But OSU’s A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams will spend a lot of time in the spotlight at Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday night.
“Get ready,” was OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer's warning for his cornerbacks. “They’re young. They’ve got to grow up fast. They’re playing well and they’ll continue to play better.
“But they better get used to it.”
TCU quarterback Kenny Hill didn’t throw deep on OSU’s first-year starting cornerbacks, but he tested them with end zone fade routes and short-to-intermediate throws when they were in single coverage.
Green and Williams held their own with some decent coverage, but had their rough patches, too. Williams got beat in the end zone a couple of times, only one of which was completed. Green was flagged for pass interference in the end zone.
Entering their fifth game as starters, the young cornerbacks are progressing, but the learning curve is steep.
“I’m learning each day and every day,” said Williams, who was thrown at more than the rest of the secondary last week. “Tre Flowers and Ramon Richards, those guys are leading in the backfield.
“I see (Texas Tech) trying to get little short passes and then lull you to sleep and throw it deep. So we’re going to stay on our toes and play our man.”
When they’re on the sidelines between series, the cornerbacks discuss what they’re seeing.
“When we come off the field, we want to know what receiver has been on the other side, what are his tendencies, what routes has he got so far,” Green said. “We watch film together during the week and we’ve got good chemistry when we communicate.”
The deep ball, and OSU’s ability to defend it, remains something of an unanswered question.
Through four games, the cornerbacks haven’t been beaten with a deep completion. Tulsa and Pitt missed a couple of opportunities, but TCU hardly tried to throw deep at all.
Texas Tech quarterback Nic Shimonek isn’t as talented with the deep throws as last year’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, was.
But Shimonek has the skill to hit receivers at all levels.
“He's been around there forever, even though he hadn't had a ton of snaps,” Spencer said. “He's like a seasoned vet. He leads well.
“There's not a lot of bad throws. Very accurate. So it's not like he's a first-year guy, not in my book. If you study the reps he did get, he was always effective during games. He just had an All-Pro guy in front of him.”
With four receivers averaging at least four catches per game, Tech can attack from all angles. Deep threats on the outside and speedy slot receivers underneath.
Spencer stands to learn at least a little more about his cornerbacks on Saturday. And maybe a lot. Considering Green, a sophomore, and Williams, a redshirt freshman are not only the cornerbacks now, but also of the future, every snap they play has value.
“We can always improve,” Green said. “We’re only gonna get better from here. The first few games were a test, but we’re just gonna keep moving forward.
“There’s a lot to improve on, and you never want to become satisfied. Stay humble and keep eating.”