Cowboys defense emerging as a strength

STILLWATER — Ramon Richards’ interception in overtime at Texas gave Oklahoma State a turnover in 21 straight games.

So add the turnover streak to the list of things Richards saved Saturday in the Cowboys’ 13-10 win. That streak.

The game.

The season?

“It was just a moment,” said the senior safety. “It was a moment. I thank God for allowing me to be in the moment.”

A big moment. “Obviously, we want to play better on offense, don’t put our guys in that situation,” Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph said.

“Looking back, it will be a good test and a turning point for us getting our defense that much more confidence.”

OSU’s defense is looking better and better with each passing week.

The Cowboys rank second in the Big 12 in passing defense, third in total defense, third in scoring defense and first in pass efficiency defense. Not bad for a unit that entered the season as the team’s perceived question mark.

“That is one of those games that you are going to look back at and say, ‘Hey, hats off to the defense, they played an unbelievable game,’” Rudolph said.

“There are always those games where your offense carries you, and we are kind of known for that on offense. But hats off to the defense. They did a heck of a job and made plays and unbelievable stops.”

Cowboys close the deal, again

On the field at Texas Memorial Stadium, OSU receivers coach Kasey Dunn bent over and placed his hands on his knees, showing his own exhaustion from the tight win.

“That was rough,” Dunn said in clear relief. “But a good win.”

Another close win.

The tight victory over the Longhorns moved the Cowboys’ record to 13-1 in the last 14 games decided by 10 points or less.

OSU also moved to 4-0 in road games this season and claimed its 13th true road win among their last 15 visits to enemy stadiums.

Hill trudges on

The Cowboys relied on the run — heavily — at Texas, 51 times in all, a season-high.

Running back Justice Hill posted a career high with 33 carries, going for 117 yards on a day when yards were hard to come by, with the offensive line down to just two starters at one point.

Hill averaged just 3.5 yards per rush, with a long of 15.

“They’re just a good defense,” he said of the Longhorns. “They’ve got great players. They’re sound in what they do.

“You have to take what they give you. Sometimes it may be a yard, sometimes you may break it for a long run.”

Quotable

Linebacker Justin Phillips on the team not requesting a postgame dance from coach Mike Gundy:

“If it was up to me, I’d be there dancing with him. But I guess our guys are mature enough to go about a win and take the opportunity and learn from it and just move on to the next game.”