Oklahoma State football: Mike Gundy continues to praise special teams

“We were really, really, really good on special teams,” Gundy said during his media teleconference Sunday evening.

OSU got a big momentum swing with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Justin Gilbert in the first half. The Cowboys also capitalized on WVU mistakes in the return game, recovering a muffed kickoff and punt deep in Mountaineer territory. Those turnovers led to 10 OSU points.

“Our starting field position compared to their starting field position, and obviously we had the big return, was obviously the difference in the game,” Gundy said.

COWBOYS BACK IN BCS, COACHES POLL; FIRST TEAM RECEIVING VOTES IN AP POLL

After OSU's loss to Kansas State knocked it out of the BCS and USA Today Coaches polls last Sunday, the Cowboys checked back in at No. 24 in both of those rankings this week.

The Cowboys are not ranked in The Associated Press poll, but are the first team receiving votes.

Texas Tech, OSU's next opponent, is ranked 23rd in the BCS and AP polls and 25th in the Coaches poll.

GUNDY: TEXAS A&M BEATING ALABAMA SHOWS BIG 12 OFFENSE CAN BEAT SEC DEFENSE

Just after OSU's victory against WVU went final, Texas A&M upset No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

That raised questions about the national perception that a spread offense, the style of play common in the Big 12, could not beat the ballyhooed SEC defenses. Of course, Texas A&M was a member of the Big 12 until last season.