The O’Collegian

Oklahoma State will host the annual Orange-White spring game Saturday, and for most fans, this will be a first glance at the new-look Cowboy defense.

The strategy is the same, but in the second year of defensive coordinator Tim Beckman’s system, the level of execution and timing has improved this spring.

“I feel good about where we are at as a team,” coach Mike Gundy said. “I like the aggressiveness of our defense. I feel like they have a good understanding of what they’re trying to accomplish with their scheme.”

The level of comfort the defense has developed with Beckman’s system has been apparent with the defense performing well in their first two major scrimmages.

“I think playing in the system for a full year definitely helps,” junior linebacker Andre Sexton said. “We definitely feel more comfortable as a defense and it definitely helps with confidence.

“We’ve always had confidence, but now we understand everything as a team and it has made a big difference.”

The defense will be broken up for the spring game, with players from the first and second team defensive units playing for both teams.

One position of interest is at star linebacker, the hybrid safety-linebacker position Donovan Woods played last season. Sexton has stepped into the role this spring and he, as well as the coaches, said it has been a natural fit.

“I love it,” Sexton said. “It’s just a fun position to play. It allows me to play a lot more close to the line of scrimmage, and it just allows me to be able to fly around and make plays.”

Sexton and other returning starters say this spring has been the best defensive spring they have been a part of at OSU.

Several newcomers and young players have worked their way into prominent defensive roles, including safety Lucien Antoine and defensive ends Richetti Jones and Ugo Chinasa.

“I think our defense has confidence and now they understand the system,” Gundy said. “I think they feel good about the cohesiveness of the group. I think the addition of the midterm players has made a difference.”

The defensive line has been a bright spot for the Cowboys this spring, and the influx of the midterm players and young talent has particularly affected depth at defensive end.

“From the depth standpoint they give us more flexibility,” Gundy said. “It really helps when you have that depth. I hope they’re better than they were last year because we didn’t get to the quarterback much last year.

“The development of Richetti, Jeremiah (Price), and (Derek) Burton will help us a bunch. I think we will be improved.”

However, the depth on the defensive line is not exclusive to the ends.

Defensive tackle was also addressed in the offseason and Swanson Miller, a transfer from Butler (Kan.) Community College, has impressed coaches with his ability to stop the run and also apply pressure on the quarterback.

“He has good feet,” Gundy said. “He is a 310-pounder and he can really run. He’s just going through the developmental part of being physical at this level, but he’s come a long way.

“He’s got a great attitude. As long as he keeps an attitude like he has, he’s gonna be just fine.”

Fans can expect to see some excitement in the spring game in the secondary where several players, led by Antoine, have earned a reputation for big hits.

“There’s been more big hits this spring than we’ve had in several springs,” Gundy said. “It is really encouraging. It forces turnovers.”

Sexton said the trend has been contagious and everyone in the secondary is hitting harder than they were last year, which has led to better overall play in the defensive backfield.

Beckman said he feels like the defense is improved in every aspect, but still needs a lot of work to reach the level he expects to see.

“I’m a perfectionist, I guess,” Beckman said. “I want to make sure that I know, and I feel, that if we are going to win a championship, we’re going to win it on defense.”