The Daily O’Collegian

After a disappointing year in 2006, the defense will look to complement an explosive offense this season.

With a proven defensive line and linebacking corps, the area for improvement in ’07 is the secondary. In 2006, the Cowboys ranked 87th in the nation in pass defense. This year, they plan on moving up in those rankings.

“I think we’re going to be top-15 secondary in the nation; I mean, we look good back there,” junior safety Ricky Price said. “We got a lot of aggressiveness, speed and enthusiasm and I don’t expect a lot to get behind us this year.”

Age and experience will also play a big part in the secondary this season. All four starters from the secondary return this year to bring more maturity to the defense.

While Donovan Woods will play the hybrid safety/linebacker role, Martel Van Zant, Jacob Lacey and Perrish Cox will return to cornerback and Andre Sexton, Price, Quinton Moore and Clint Coe will rotate at safety.

Price is playing safety for the first time, for he was a wide receiver this past season.

Although Price is moving to a drastically different position, he said he is excited to take on the defensive side of things. “I love change and it’s going to be fun,” Price said. “[But] I got to get used to the speed of the game on the defensive side.”

Coach Mike Gundy said he also is optimistic about the secondary this year.

“They are more mature and we got a little more depth there and they’re playing a little bit better,” Gundy said.

Gundy said he expects big things from Lacey because he impressed coaches the most during preseason camp.

Another contributing factor to the improved secondary is the addition of defensive coordinator Tim Beckman. Beckman was the secondary coach at Ohio State and brings a lot to the table after working for a championship caliber team.

The players said they respect Beckman a great deal more based on their play this preseason.

“When the old coach was here, [the players] didn’t look to enthusiastic,” Price said. “They looked like they were just gliding in practice.”

Beckman also plans to implement a different style of defense that has more aggressive characteristics, which should create many exciting opportunities on the defensive side of the ball this year.

The biggest obstacle for Oklahoma State in previous years was the lack of a well-rounded defense. This year should be different. The experience, skill and maturity of the players will play a huge role in their performance.