Cowboys Maintain Turnover Focus

Brodrick Brown and the Cowboys are focused -- again -- on takeaways.

OSU’s defense had its critics a year ago. And by the numbers, some of it was understandable.

The Cowboys, after all, ranked No. 107 in total defense, a point pounded home by national analysts.

Yet those same critics either ignored, or dismissed as luck, another number of note: No. 1, the defense’s ranking in takeaways. And they’re back at it again, with many suggesting the Cowboys can’t possibly keep it up.

In Stillwater, however, the Pokes are more determined than ever to force turnovers, not only in halting opponents but to ease some of the pressure on an offense breaking in a freshman quarterback in Wes Lunt.

“It’s a point of emphasis,” said OSU defensive coordinator Bill Young. “And gosh, we better emphasize it, because it’s going to be a difference for our football team. We’ve got to help the offense, shorten the field and give them good field position. We did a little bit of that last year and it’s something we’ve got to do this season.”