OSU football notebook: OSU-Iowa State to kickoff at 2:30 p.m.

BY JOHN HELSLEY, Staff Writer, jhelsley@opubco.com Comments 1
Published: November 2, 2009

The Cowboys’ game at Iowa State is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday, to be televised on ABC (Cox 8).

OSU will be making its third appearance on ABC, entering with a 1-1 record in those matchups, owning a win over Georgia and a loss to Texas.

OSU quarterback Zac Robinson had one of his worst outings as a Cowboy in Saturday’s 41-14 home loss to Texas. Robinson threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

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OSU-Iowa State: 2:30 p.m. kickoff

The Cowboys beat the Cyclones 59-17 in Stillwater a year ago.

UN-COMFORT ZONE

Quarterback Zac Robinson endured one of his worst nights as a Cowboy, firing four interceptions, two that were returned for touchdowns.

For the first time this season, the absences of wideout Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter revealed OSU lacking major playmakers, perhaps putting pressure on Robinson to fill the void.

"Zac pressed at times and tried to do a little bit too much, in my opinion,” Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said Sunday. "And because of that, he forced some throws.”

HOLD ‘EM HORNS

At first glance, Saturday night’s 41-14 final doesn’t shine well on the defense.

But Texas scored on two interception returns and benefited from five turnovers overall.

"They were put in a difficult situation,” Gundy said of his defenders. "They gave up a couple drives, but when you continuously put them out on the field like that, it’s hard to play at a high level against a talented football team like Texas.”

Offensively, the Longhorns finished with a season-low 275 yards, their lowest output against OSU since 1997.

TOUGH CALL

OSU had just cut Texas’ lead to 17-7, yet had to try and fend off a Longhorns’ drive just before halftime.

On first down from the Cowboys 21, OSU defensive end Nigel Nicholas was called for a critical personal foul on a late hit of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, moving the Horns 10 yards closer to the 11.

The call was questionable, with Nicholas making contact with McCoy after lowering his outstretched arms on the pass rush.

"I got through, got a good release and just put my hands up,” Nicholas said. "I was coming down to swat the ball. I don’t know what I did to make him throw the flag, but he threw it. Can’t change what the official calls. Can’t do anything about it.”

McCoy fired a touchdown pass on the next play, extending the lead to 24-7 with nine seconds left on the clock.