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Updated: August 18, 6:00 PM ET Cowboys finally riding high in the Big 12 By Mark Wangrin Special to ESPN.com |
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Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Coach: Les Miles (12-12, 3rd season) 2002 overall record: 8-5 Conference record: 5-3 Returning starters Offense: 8 Defense: 6 Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Tatum Bell* (1,096 yds) Passing: Josh Fields* (3,145 yds) Receiving: Rashaun Woods* (1,695 yds) Tackles: Paul Duren* (96) Sacks: Kevin Williams (10) Interceptions: Darrent Williams* (3) Outlook: The days of playing Big 12 spoiler appear to be over for the Cowboys, who've taken a place among the Big 12 contenders. "We came from the gutter," defensive end Greg Richmond said. "We were a team that was last in the Big 12 before Baylor. It's a wonderful feeling to be talked about and have guys give you the recognition that you wanted." Said third-year head coach Les Miles: "We accomplished certain goals for the team and yet we've left certain opportunities on the table. Very frankly, we look forward to playing this season with new and more ambitious goals." Led by All-America receiver Rashaun Woods, the Cowboys plan to make a run at the Big 12 South title. That's no easy task considering the Cowboys must survive playing three top five teams -- No. 5 Kansas State (Oct. 11) and No. 4 Texas (Nov. 8) at home and No. 1 Oklahoma in Norman (Nov. 1) -- in a five game stretch. Replacing both tackles from a line that allowed only 17 sacks last year and getting a consistent running game out of halfbacks Tatum Bell and Seymore Shaw, who were both hobbled at times last year, is the key to keeping defenses from keying too much on quarterback Josh Fields getting the ball to Woods. Defensively, the Cowboys have holes to fill up front, where they lost All-American Kevin Williams, and in the secondary. Backups Clay Coe and Kyle Hix will get the shot at tackle. Keep an eye on: D'Juan Woods. One of the reasons Rashaun Woods came back for his senior year was to play again with his younger brother. As a true freshman he showed some of the same big play ability -- his first college reception was a 47-yarder against SMU -- before a hamstring injury forced him to take a medical redshirt. With defenses doubling up on his brother, D'Juan should get a chance to shine. Key game: The opener at Nebraska is getting plenty of hype, and it could give the Cowboys a huge jump into the season if they win. But the game against OU, which was moved up to Nov. 1 this year after being the final regular season game the last two years, could be a game for the South title, not just a chance for the Cowboys to spoil their downstate rival's season. It's a good year if. . .: The Cowboys can finish in the upper division of the Big 12 South and possibly break up the three-year hold OU and Texas have had on the top two spots. Mark Wangrin covers the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News.
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