No. 21 Oklahoma St heads to Texas Tech for Big 12 shootout

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy gets a hard time from some of his quarterback buddies because he loves it when the Cowboys are running the ball.

The 21st-ranked Cowboys (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) go into their game Saturday at Texas Tech with Division I rushing leader Chuba Hubbard and are gaining more yards on the ground than through the air, even though they also have the Big 12's top receiver.

“I enjoy rushing the football and pounding teams,” Gundy said. “I really like that part of the game.”

Gundy's playing days as a four-year starting quarterback at Oklahoma State included when Thurman Thomas ran for 1,613 yards in 1987, and when Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy the following season with 2,628 yards rushing _ 465 yards more than Gundy had passing as a junior that year.

Hubbard, the breakout sophomore from Canada, already has three 200-yard rushing games this season, including 296 yards against Kansas State last week when the Cowboys were without their two regular offensive tackles. He averages 187.6 yards per game and has run for 10 touchdowns.

“He's patient. I like what they're doing on offense with him,” first-year Texas Tech coach Matt Wells said. “They do a lot of schemes where he's able to read, and then he's strong and physical . ... Certainly a big challenge for our defense.”

A week after Oklahoma had two 100-yard receivers against them in a lopsided win, the Red Raiders (2-2, 0-1) now have to try to slow down Hubbard and receiver Tylan Wallace (123.6 yards receiving a game with six TDs).

“Going against Tylan, we've got to challenge him,” cornerback Zech McPhearson said. “We've got to make him earn everything.”

Since Sanders won the Heisman, 21 of the past 29 recognized winners have been quarterbacks _ including 11 of the last 13. Gundy was asked if Hubbard is the best non-quarterback in Heisman consideration this season.

"Sure, I think it's possible. I think it's comparable to numbers from the past,” Gundy said. “If you stop the race right now, he's in good shape, but we've got a long way to go. He's got to continue to work hard and stay humble, which hasn't been an issue up to this point."

LOADING UP JETT

Graduate transfer Jackson Tyner started at quarterback for the Red Raiders at Oklahoma in their first game without Big 12 passing leader Alan Bowman (shoulder injury). But dual-threat quarterback Jett Duffey came on and was 11-of-20 passing for 120 yards.

“Jett Duffey will be our quarterback moving forward” Wells said. “I saw it in the game first, and then video confirmed it. I thought he was aggressive.