Oklahoma State football notebook: Cowboys' defense bounces back

OSU posted a first-half shutout while the offense piled up 44 points, and Young was pleased with the effort in his first game of the season.

Young had missed the first two contests following an undisclosed medical procedure, but was glad to be back.

“It felt wonderful,” Young said of his return to the sideline. “I think we had six three-and-outs, which was really good. We were better in all phases from last week.”

Aside from a few minor tackling issues — though nothing as serious as the Arizona game — the Cowboys were strong defensively, with the first-teamers essentially allowing only 10 points and less than 300 yards.

“(The defense) was a very disappointed bunch this week,” Young said. “They knew they didn't play up to their standards and they knew they needed to play better. They couldn't wait to get back on the field and show that.”

Young also credited his players for not having “a lot of dumb penalties.” The defense was responsible for many of OSU's record 167 penalty yards at Arizona. In all, OSU was penalized five times for 45 yards Saturday.

The Cowboys also recorded a takeaway for the first time in nearly eight quarters.

They failed to create a turnover at Arizona, but finally snapped the drought in the closing seconds of the first half Saturday with a fumble recovery.

It was the Cowboys' first takeaway since its first defensive series of the second half against Savannah State two weeks ago, and they quickly took advantage. On the next play, Quinn Sharp made a 44-yard field goal to end the first half.

OSU led the nation with 44 takeaways last season, yet the Pokes have only three this year.

STALEY GOES THE DISTANCE

Though he weighs 230 pounds and has come back from one of the worst knee injuries the OSU training staff has ever seen, Kye Staley showed that he still has a little zip.

The fullback caught a pass in the flat, got key blocks from Tracy Moore and Charlie Moore, and barreled 52 yards for a touchdown, the second of his career.

“I haven't run that long since high school,” said the senior from Guthrie. “I try to do the best I can when I get the ball.”

Staley finished with two catches for 65 yards. For his career, he had 10 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown entering the game.