If all that comes to mind is "Almost Famous" when you think
"Stillwater", you’re not far off. A smaller program in the
big time Big 12, Oklahoma State is often overlooked. But the Bruins
are determined not to make that mistake when they travel to
Stillwater this weekend after years of being knocked for looking
beyond smaller opponents.
"Oklahoma State is an underrated football team," senior tackle
Mike Saffer said. "We never take anybody lightly, especially if
they don’t get the respect they deserve."
The unranked Cowboys got their fifteen minutes of fame last year
when they upset Oklahoma 16-13 to knock their instate rival out of
Big 12 title and national championship contention. Oklahoma State
finished 4-7 but also nearly upset ultimate Big 12 champion
Colorado last season, ultimately losing 22-19.
Yet Cowboys head coach Les Miles still played his role as
small-time host this week. "Everybody’s pretty excited to
welcome in a marquee school from the West Coast," he said. "(The
Bruins) are as talented as any team we’ll face in our
conference."
UCLA head coach Bob Toledo would not play Big City Bob to his
country cousin, Miles. "This is a bona fide good football team.
They are athletic. They’ve got some real specimens," said
Toledo, who noted this will also be the Bruins first road game.
The two teams have never met, so both must rely solely on film
to prepare. Oklahoma State is 1-1 after losing 39-36 to Louisiana
Tech and beating Northern Iowa 45-10.
Sophomore Cowboy quarterback Josh Fields was the back-up last
year but starred in the upset of Oklahoma and beat out junior Aso
Pogi. He is currently 39th nationally in pass efficiency with the
help of Biletnikoff Award candidate Rashaun Woods. A junior wide
receiver, Woods has averaged over 150 yards per game in the first
two contests, and will be matched up with UCLA’s star corner,
senior Ricky Manning Jr. for most of the game.
"I know Ricky is a tremendously talented guy," Miles said. "We
believe we will win our share of those matchups but it won’t
be one-sided."
Miles isn’t the only one looking forward to the pairing.
"I’m ready too," Manning said. "Rashaun reminds me of (former
Bruin receiver) Brian Poli-Dixon." Like UCLA, Oklahoma State runs
tailback by committee with Tatum Bell, Vernand Morecy and Seymore
Shaw. "We’ll see who gets the hot hand and get him the ball,"
Miles said. The Cowboys may put as many as five receivers in some
plays, however. They will also differ from UCLA’s conference
foes by running a no-huddle offense.
The Bruin defense should be at full strength after holding
Colorado State to 19 points last week. Senior linebacker Marcus
Reese will play after sustaining a minor ankle sprain in the last
game.
"They’ve got weapons. We have to come out ready,"
sophomore free safety Matt Ware said. For the UCLA offense, the
challenge is not so much the Cowboy defense as their own execution.
"We need to play like we played in the fourth quarter (against
Colorado State)," offensive coordinator Kelly Skipper said.
The Cowboys run an 80 defense with three safeties. While 10 of
11 starters started at least one game last year, they also gave up
a 36-18 lead in the third quarter against Lousiana Tech two weeks
ago to lose 39-36.
The Cowboys roving safety Chris Massey doubles as a lethal
return man. He was the top kickoff returner in the nation last
year, averaging 34.8 yards per return. That could be a problem for
the Bruins given the poor performance of special teams last
week.
UCLA, newly ranked at No. 23 with last week’s 30-19
victory over then No. 19 Colorado State, hopes to get a callback to
the Top 25. No matter the outcome, the game will be televised from
Stillwater on Fox Sports Net so both sides can feel almost
famous.
* * * Freshman offensive lineman Thomas Patton will make the
trip to Stillwater to see fellow Oakland Tech graduate Mike Denard.
Denard, the Cowboys senior starting fullback, graduated before
Patton’s freshman year in high school. But Patton was
reminded of the records he broke every day thanks to Denard’s
picture hanging in the hall.
"Matter of fact, he was trying to tell the coaches (at Oklahoma
State) about me. But I got into UCLA, and it is a really good
school," Patton said.
Freshmen who are redshirting can choose one away game to attend.
* * * Although UCLA and Oklahoma State have never met, Miles
coached against UCLA in several bowl games as an assistant at
Michigan.
"Oh, I’m getting old, I don’t remember the years.
But I remember the outcomes," Miles said. "I’m looking
forward to seeing them again."
* * * Game captains are senior offensive lineman Bryce
Bohlander, senior tight end Mike Seidman, senior defensive tackle
Steve Morgan and junior linebacker Brandon Chillar, the Pac-10
defensive player of the week after the Colorado State game. Morgan,
a Texas native, helped force Ram quarterback Bradlee Van
Pelt’s crucial fumble on the 2-point conversion attempt.
"Oklahoma State was as close as I could get him to home," Toledo
said.