What we learned from OSU’s opening win at Central Michigan
For months now, Oklahoma State’s 2014 season promised the potential for a big bag of goodies, the payoff of mounting momentum and anticipated growth within a young roster.
The first impression, delivered Thursday night at Central Michigan: a mixed bag.
A win, yet in scuffling style against a team picked for the middle of the MAC. Inconsistent offense. Elastic defense. So-so special teams. The Cowboys prevailed 24-13 in Mount Pleasant, even clamping down the verdict with a late burst of dominance. Still, questions — and complaints — emerged.
Yet as with any mixed bag, there were answers, too, some of them positive.
A look at five key things that were learned:
1. Room for improvement. OSU entered the opener as a three-touchdown favorite amid heavy optimism and high expectations flowing throughout the fan base. So some letdown as the fallout from this tussle is to be expected.
The Cowboys didn’t play giveaway with the ball or pile up mistakes to aid the Chippewas and provide an easy alibi. It was simply a struggle. “It was good to get out of here with a win,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said afterward. “We played good at times. And we played poor at times.” Mixed bag. The bad times will be the focus and the emphasis for improvement in the coming week.
The running game must
find another gear, whether that means with better blocking up front or better gains from the backs — or both. For all the chatter of excitement rising in the preseason over the talents of Chris Carson, Rennie Childs and Jeff Carr, none of the three backs broke loose.
They did offer some eventual toughness, especially late, averaging 5.4 yards per carry in the second half.
Still, the breakaway factor Gundy termed so important to the ground game’s success was absent. For Carson and Carr, it was their first major college action, so some adjustment period is reasonable.
Coaches talked about offensive line adjustments aiding the ground attack in the second half. That at least hints that the issues were correctable, and not necessarily physical.
Consider, too, that the Chippewas led the MAC and ranked No. 21 nationally in rushing defense, No. 29 in total defense a year ago. And they returned three starters up front.
Defensively, CMU quarterback Cooper Rush had OSU’s respect entering the game and only built on his reputation, finding receivers on target and on time. Rush’s success, at least in the middle of the field and on third down, was frustrating.
The return of Kevin Peterson should help the secondary. And in the end, the defense did get itself off the field, eventually, against the Chippewas, allowing but one touchdown.
“After that first drive,” of the second half, said OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, “it was pretty dang good. We got off the field a lot.”
Ben Grogan missed two of three field goals, including a short one of 26 yards. Those six points would have pushed OSU to 30 points and helped to alleviate some stress.
“We have to improve in the kicking game,” Gundy said, “and I know Ben will.”
2. Youth still served. Much of the chatter surrounding last year’s Cowboys team focused on the overall youth of the roster. Well, that’s still the case. Of OSU’s 22 offensive and defensive starters, only four were seniors.
Also, 14 players made their OSU debut, including four true freshmen, with many in significant roles.
So this is still a team with a strong potential for growth.
3. Return of the QB run game. With Mason Rudolph taking over behind center, returning the Cowboys to a version of the Air Raid, visions of quarterbacks running around seemed to shift to the back burner.
But runs by Rudolph, and backup J.W. Walsh, were some of the biggest plays in the game.
Rudolph scrambled for a 21-yard touchdown, completing a go-ahead drive right after Central Michigan had taken its only lead, 13-10, early in the third quarter. Rudolph ripped off another scramble for a first down on OSU’s final touchdown march.
Walsh scored the game’s first touchdown, coming on in his special package to finish a drive with a 1-yard run for a score.
“(Mason) moved around and made some plays with his legs,” Gundy said. “He showed some signs of improving in that area. And that’s such a threat for an offense when the quarterback can move around.
“And to be honest with you, both guys look the same running. It’s not as attractive, but you look up and they’ve got nine yards.”
4. Ateman confirmed. Marcell Ateman prompted positive reviews throughout the preseason, although Gundy noted that the real verdict would come in games, due to Ateman’s inconsistencies in the past.
Against the Chippewas, Ateman caught four passes for a game-high 75 yards and a touchdown – the first touchdown of his career.
“I knew Mason was going to put it up for me,” said Ateman, who looms as a major mismatch at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. “I told myself, ‘I’m going to do whatever it takes to get this ball.’
“It felt great. It’s my first time, so it felt real good to be standing in the end zone.”
5. Not all bad. Sure, everyone expected more. Fans. Coaches. Players.
Instead, the game delivered more of a “Phew” feel than a “Wahoo.”
Still, there was good in this opener, most notably the win, considering all the first-time players, and playing on the road. While it wasn’t anything resembling a hostile environment, it was sort of, well, weird, with so many empty seats in a small and relatively quiet stadium.
With the game in some doubt, after CMU took its lead in the second half, the Cowboys bucked up, taking control with two statement drives and better defense.
Then they home 1-0.
“We’re going to get better,” said senior receiver David Glidden. “There’s always so many corrections to make after the first game.
“We’re glad to get out with the victory.”
returned