OSU football: Todd Monken's high-powered offense enhancing his status as head coach prospect

This year, however, Monken's Oklahoma State offense seemed more ready for disaster than anything.

Left tackle Michael Bowie was lost before the season started. Wide receiver Tracy Moore limped away for good in Game 5. And not two, but three quarterbacks — Wes Lunt, J.W. Walsh and Clint Chelf — have circled through a revolving door spun by injury.

Still, Monken's attack keeps piling up yards and points, shining a spotlight on his ability, not only within the program, but beyond, surely enhancing his status as a hot head coaching candidate.

“He deserves a lot of credit, because he's our leader,” said Cowboys running back Joseph Randle. “He's the offensive leader. If you can keep making things work and keep moving forward, even with all those problems and issues that have come up, that just shows that you're a great coach.”

OSU's attack ranks among the nation's leaders in all the major categories: No. 3 scoring offense, No. 5 total offense, No. 7 passing offense, No. 20 rushing offense.

No matter the challenge, and there have been many, Monken seems to just plug and play.

And produce.

The Cowboys are actually averaging more yards this season than a year ago, 547.9 to 545.8, which through 11 games ranks No. 1 in program history. Better than Weeden2Blackmon. Better than Barry Sanders and Co.

Randle leads the Big 12 in rushing. Minus Moore, Josh Stewart has emerged as a star in Monken's offense, as a sophomore producing one of the top receptions and receiving yards seasons in school history. And for the first time in school history, five different players have recorded 100-yard receiving games.

Hesitant to accept any credit, Monken said that he hasn't once reflected on any job well done.

“The only time that happens is when I feel like I have to defend myself, when people are critical,” Monken said. “But until that point, I'm real humble. I think we've got good coaches. We've got good players.