Cowboy defense stands stout

STILLWATER — Former offensive coordinator Larry Fedora, in Stillwater visiting his family, said it must have been difficult for Mike Gundy, a former offensive coordinator himself, to watch the defense dominate the first spring scrimmage.

Gundy, entering his fourth season as Oklahoma State's head coach, said he used to feel that way. Not anymore.

"I really would prefer that the defense wins every scrimmage,” Gundy said. "The offense will be fine and make plays. I was excited about the defense's enthusiasm and their ability to run to the ball and make a few plays.

"The defense took control early, and nobody on offense stepped up and made a play. Since it's that time of year, it's kind of like hoops. Nobody stepped up and hit a 3 to change the tempo of the scrimmage.”

OSU's first-, second- and third-team offensive units never moved inside the 25-yard line on 11 offensive series. The defense was the only unit to score.

Markelle Martin, a third-team safety who skipped his final semester of high school in Wichita Falls, Texas, intercepted a Brandon Weeden pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. Safety Lucien Antoine, one of the junior college transfers, added an interception.

"Weeden fired it right to him, but (Martin) took it and ran down and scored,” Gundy said. "He made it look easy. That's pretty good for a high school guy. He's supposed to be ordering a tux for a prom, but he's out here playing with guys four years older than him.”

"I was real encouraged by "The Punisher” (Antoine), stepping underneath that vertical route on his interception. That was a really nice play.”

Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman liked what he saw, especially coming off a season in which OSU's defense ranked 101st nationally in total defense.

"It was a tough year, no question about it,” Beckman said. "They have a ways to go. But you get excited because you see how they're progressing.

"It's something to build on. We tell them they have to build day by day. But now, practice No. 7 has to be better than practice No. 6.”

It was the first opportunity for fans and media to watch seven junior college transfers. After six spring practices, five of the seven juco transfers have been elevated to second team.

The scrimmage featured just over 50 plays. The first- and second-team units got in close to 20 plays each.

Two major scrimmages will reveal more on March 28 and April 4, followed by the April 12 spring game.

"I know we have a long ways to go (defensively),” Gundy said. "But I was encouraged by guys making plays. This game ultimately comes down to someone stepping up and making a play. Guys on defense stepped up and made some plays.”