Oklahoma State vs. Missouri State : Winners and Losers from Cowboys Win
The Oklahoma State Cowboys were able to overcome injury and a lack of intensity this weekend and take care of business against the Missouri State Bears.
The Pokes didn't look like the near-world-beaters they were against Florida State a week ago, but that's too be expected when you have a young team coming off an emotionally draining opening weekend.
Add in injuries to the starting quarterback and running back, and you have a team that could've easily been upset.
Oklahoma State was able to pull it out, though, and now they have a week to get themselves back together before UTSA comes to town.
Outside of the final score, who won and who lost in this contest? Read on to find out.
Winner: Brandon Sheperd
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Brandon Sheperd was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, with dreams of putting up huge numbers in Oklahoma State's Air Raid offense.
Unfortunately, during his three years in the program, Sheperd hasn't done much to impress Cowboys' fans.
Saturday was a different story.
With Daxx Garman (more on him later) chucking the ball deep, Sheperd was able to flash that big-play potential that made him a highly touted recruit in 2011.
The junior receiver only had four catches, but he turned that into 131 yards and a score. Of course, 87 of those yards came on the second longest pass play in Oklahoma State history; however, that shouldn't take away from Sheperd's accomplishments.
If Garman continues to take snaps for the Cowboys, look for Sheperd to break out in a big way.
Loser: Missouri State Special Teams
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The Missouri State Bears had three kicks blocked in the first half alone.
That's not how you beat good football teams.
The Bears actually played the Pokes pretty close through the first quarter; however, mistakes in the kicking game finally started to catch up with them.
Luckily, Missouri State only kicked to Tyreek Hill once, or their day could've been much, much worse.
Winner: Kierra Harris
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Kierra Harris' team may have lost Saturday afternoon, but senior signal-caller played an outstanding game against a solid defense.
Harris had 250 total yards, two scores and, most importantly no mistakes. In fact, the only bad thing about Harris' performance was that he was sacked five times by Oklahoma State's excellent offensive line.
With a showing like that against a quality Division I football team, Harris proved that he has what it takes to hang with the big boys. The Missouri State quarterback walked out of Boone Pickens Stadium with his head held high and big things should be expected for the remainder of his season.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Loser: Ben Grogan
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Ben Grogan's struggles in the kicking game continue.
Grogan converted field goals at 61 percent in 2013, and it doesn't look like things are going to change in 2014. True, all three of his misses this season are from 40-yards and out; however, the hope was that he would improve from distance this season.
That hasn't been the case.
Grogan seems to have the power to make long field goals, the problem is the accuracy. Hopefully this is something that is something the sophmore kicker can figure out before Big 12 play begins.
Winner: Tyreek Hill
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Tyreek Hill continues to set the world on fire.
Seemingly every time "The Freek" touches the ball, it's a big play. Even if he only gains three yards, he does something jaw-dropping to do so.
Hill didn't quite match his 278-yard performance against Florida State, but he produce countless highlights in route to his 101 total yards.
And the scary thing for defenses is that total could've been much higher. Hill was tackled by his shoestrings two and three times and you get the feeling that it's only a matter of time before he breaks a 50 or 60-yarder on somebody.
Let's hope next week that happens, and "The Freek" gets his first Division I touchdown.
Loser: J.W. Walsh
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It stinks to pick on a guy when he's down, but the fact of the matter is that, when J.W. Walsh went down with an early injury, his backup stepped up and delivered a heck of a game.
Walsh is probably still the starter when he comes back. Mike Gundy loves Walsh for his attitude and leadership and really wants this young man to succeed.
However, every day that Walsh has to sit out, more and more doubt is going to creep into his head coach's mind. Every time Gundy sees Daxx Garman rocket a ball 50 yards down field and hit his receiver in stride, Walsh's chances of returning as the starter go further and further down.
Walsh needs to hurry back from this injury if he doesn't want to lose his spot permanently.
Winner: Daxx Garman
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Speaking of Daxx Garman, did anyone have a better day than this young man?
Garman hasn't seen the field since 2009.
I'll repeat that, he hasn't seen the field since 2009.
And yet, he looked like an old veteran during his 244-yard, two-touchdown performance.
Garman's arm is unquestionably better than J.W. Walsh's and he proved that this weekend. The Pokes were able to attack deep for the first time this year and almost every single pass was delivered perfectly on target.
That's not the kind of performance you expect from a guy who hasn't played since high school.
In fact, if not for a few drops by wide receivers, Garman's could've been even better. That said, Garman has people in Stillwater excited for the future. If he can play like that in injury relief, what will he do with a full week to prepare as the starter?
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
