OSU’s Richards had been waiting for Texas’ final play call
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State defensive back Ramon Richards had been waiting all game for the play. He had seen something similar on Texas’ game tape, and knew it might be coming.
With the Longhorns facing third-and-4 inside the OSU 10-yard line during last Saturday’s overtime game against the Cowboys, Texas coach Tom Herman called the play Richards had been waiting to see.
It might not have been immediately recognizable, but most college football fans have seen the same play in an even bigger situation.
Herman said the final play was the exact play that Clemson ran to beat Alabama in the national title game last season.
The play is designed to take advantage of manto-man coverage, making defenders go through and around different players on each team.
“Thought we could have got rid of it a little bit sooner,” Herman said of the pass. “Obviously, the end result is disastrous, especially considering the reminder of everybody to protect the football.
“At least we’re still breathing with a field goal, and a turnover, we die.”
Richards, OSU’s strong safety, was covering the inside receiver,
who cut outside as soon as the ball was snapped. The outside receiver ran a quick route designed for him to stop in front of Richards as he tries to get outside to cover his man.
“Tight split. Pick play, saw it on film,” Richards said. “I covered it and the quarterback threw it up there for me to get it.
“I expected it all game. The whole game I kept telling myself, ‘You’re going to get an interception. You’re going to get a turnover.’ So when it came, I expected it. I expected it all game and it finally showed up.”
Any other result but a turnover on the play would’ve given Texas the chance to at least kick a tying field goal and force
a second overtime, rather than the 13-10 defeat it suffered.
On Monday, OSU coach Mike Gundy praised defensive lineman Trey Carter for his rush to get pressure, and his ability to pull back after Texas’ Sam Ehlinger let go of the pass, avoiding a potential personal foul call.
“He was close to hitting him,” Gundy said. “If he had hit him and they threw a flag for roughing the passer, I probably couldn’t have argued it.
“Trey pulled off. I made a point of that, because two years ago, Trey would’ve picked him up and body-slammed him. But with the culture we have and what we’ve done to instill it in these guys, he pulled off. You try to make examples of that, so that the culture we create hopefully helps us in those situations.”