Compiled by David Youngblood
Faked out
Senior punter Matt Fodge has been the rock of the OSU special teams for years, but he might prefer to keep Saturday out of his career highlight reel.
Early in the second quarter, the Cowboys lined up to punt on fourth and 17 from their own 24, only to run a fake punt.
Fodge took the snap and ran to his left for 12 yards, short of the first down. Missouri got the ball on downs and scored to go up 10-7.
Coach Mike Gundy declined to comment after the game whether the coaching staff called for the fake or Fodge made the call himself.
Special team coordinator Joe DeForest also declined to comment on whose decision the play was but confirmed Fodge does sometimes have the green light to take off on fakes.
“The down and distance was a situation where we probably should have [punted],” DeForest said. “At times, we need to do a better job of coaching on certain situations.”
Under pressure
OSU struggled to get to the quarterback much of the season but found its pass rush against Missouri.
The Tigers entered Saturday’s game having given up only two sacks, but the Cowboys got two to double that.
Junior defensive end Derek Burton sacked Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel in the third quarter, and sophomore Ugo Chinasa added a sack in the fourth, the first sack of his career.
Even when they didn’t get the sack, the Cowboys got enough pressure to keep Daniel from getting in rhythm at times.
“Ultimately, the pash rush made them scramble,” DeForest said. “We didn’t do a great job of containing them at times, but ultimately they’re the ones who put the pressure on them, forced some plays.”
As good as it gets
OSU’s road upset of No. 3 Missouri might have been the biggest victory in some Cowboys’ career.
“I think it was,” junior linebacker Andre Sexton said. “It was just an unbelievable opportunity for us to showcase our defense and offense on national TV.”
Co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said he felt the same.
“It’s gotta be the biggest [victory] since I’ve been here as far as knowing how I feel and how proud I am — not only of us but the defense and everybody contributing for a team win,” Brewer said.
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