Oklahoma State football: Cowboys' defense gets high marks in win over Iowa State

The Cowboys figured Iowa State couldn't or wouldn't run much, so getting to mobile quarterback Jared Barnett was a key. And OSU did, though Shaun Lewis recorded the only Cowboy sack. OSU had seven quarterback hurries, two each by safety Zack Craig and end Cooper Bassett, as Bill Young's blitzes were well-timed. Barnett, and his eventual replacement, Steele Jantz, rarely had much time to throw.

QUINN SHARP: B

Mr. Leg had a hot-and-cold day. He missed two field goals, pushing the ball wide from 44 and 51 yards and extending his Iowa State slump (he missed from 37 yards at the end of regulation a year ago). But Sharp was fabulous punting, kicking four times for a 49.5-yard average, including a 68-yarder on the crosswind field. Two of Sharp's punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. It was a prime time for Sharp to shine, considering Iowa State's Kirby Van Der Kamp is his chief rival for all-Big 12 punter. Van Der Kamp punted nine times for a 47.1-yard average, with a 60-yarder and three downed inside the 20.

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: C

Savannah State wins! Savannah State wins! The beleaguered Tigers, 84-0 losers to OSU on Sept. 1, notched their first win of the season Saturday, beating Edward Waters 42-35.

RUNNING GAME: B

Iowa State rarely lets teams run. The Cowboys gained just 60 yards on the ground last season in Ames. But taking away sacks and team losses running out the clock, OSU churned for 221 yards on 38 carries. Some of that came from Walsh runs out of the passing game, but the Cowboy tailbacks gained 172 yards on 30 carries. OSU entered the fourth quarter with just 103 yards rushing, but Joe Randle's 62-yard burst ignited a strong finish.