Week 7 Previews
Sat., Oct. 16 @ 11:00 am CT
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Longhorns
11 a.m. CT | Oct. 16, 2021 | DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119)
TV: FOX (Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
(Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 133, XM 199, SXM App 953
Series Capsule
Series History Texas leads, 26-9
In Austin Texas leads, 16-6
In Stillwater Texas leads, 9-3
At Neutral Texas leads, 1-0
First Meeting (1916) Texas 14, OSU 6
Last Meeting (2020) Texas 41, OSU 34
Last OSU Win (2018) OSU 38, Texas 35
Last Texas Win (2020) Texas 41, OSU 34
Gundy vs. Texas 7-9
Sarkisian vs. OSU 0-0
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Noting Gundy
• 2011 winner of the Paul “Bear” Bryant College
Coach of the Year Award and the Eddie Robinson
National Coach of the Year Award.
• Finalist for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award and the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year Award in both 2010 and 2011.
• 2010 Big 12 Coach of the Year.
• 2015 AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year.
• Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2021
Oklahoma State Under Mike Gundy
• Since 2010, Oklahoma State has six seasons with at least 10 wins, an outright Big 12 title (2011) and a share of the Big 12 South title (2010). The Cowboys reached the top 10 of the Associated Press poll in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020.
• Gundy has coached the Cowboys to four New Year’s Six bowl games since 2010. The Pokes appeared in the 2010 Cotton Bowl, the 2012 Fiesta Bowl, the 2014 Cotton Bowl and the 2016 Sugar Bowl.
• Oklahoma State is one of only seven teams to post a winning season every year from 2010- 20, joining Alabama, Boise State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Washington and Wisconsin. It is one of only three Power Five teams with winning seasons each of the past 15 years, joined by Wisconsin and Oklahoma.
• Entering the 2021 season, Oklahoma State has been ranked in the top 15 of the Associated Press poll in 11 of the past 13 seasons and has posted 10-win seasons six of the past 11 years.
• Since 2017, Gundy has coached the FBS leading passer (Mason Rudolph in 2017), leading receiver (James Washington in 2017) and leading rusher (Chuba Hubbard in 2019).
• OSU has seven total selections to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team since 2016, tying Stanford for the most among Power Five schools during that timeframe.
Game Notes
The Basics
The Oklahoma State football team (5-0 overall; 2-0 Big 12) travels to Austin, Texas, this week to face Texas (4-2 overall; 2-1 Big 12) on Saturday, Oct. 16, in DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT.
On the Air
The game will be televised by FOX with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. It will also be carried live on the Cowboy Radio Network, with Dave Hunziker handling play-by-play, John Holcomb providing analysis and Robert Allen reporting from the sideline. Fans outside of the Cowboy Radio Network can listen to the OSU broadcast for free through The Varsity Network app.
In the Rankings
Oklahoma State was voted No. 12 in this week’s edition of the AP Top 25, continuing a streak of 14 consecutive seasons in the poll. The streak, which began in 2008, is the 10th-longest active streak in the nation. Including this season, OSU has appeared in the top 15 of the AP poll in 12 of the past 14 seasons. It has also seen a top 10 ranking in the AP poll at some point in 10 of those 14 years. The Cowboys are also No. 12 in this week’s USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. OSU has been included in the coaches poll in each week of the 2021 season. Although the first 2021 College Football Playoff rankings won’t be released until November 2, it’s worth noting that OSU has been part of the CFP rankings in five of the past six seasons entering 2021. Texas is ranked No. 25 in the AP poll this week and is receiving votes in the coaches poll. The Longhorns represent the third straight AP-ranked opponent for the Cowboys after OSU knocked off No. 25 Kansas State and No. 21 Baylor in their two most recent games. A win over UT would mark the first time in school history OSU has beaten AP-ranked opponents in three consecutive games. the last time OSU faced three consecutive AP-ranked opponents was from October-November of 2017 when it played No. 22 West Virginia, No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 24 Iowa State.
The Series
Saturday’s game marks the 36th overall meeting between Oklahoma State and Texas in a series that dates to 1916. The 2021 season also marks the 26th consecutive year the teams have played, beginning with the first season of Big 12 Conference play in 1996. Texas holds a 26-9 all-time advantage in the series and a 16-6 advantage in games played in Austin. OSU has won seven of the past 11 matchups with Texas, as well as five of the past six matchups played in Austin. OSU’s five straight road wins at UT from 2010-17 marked the only time any team has beaten the Longhorns in five straight trips to Austin. Coach Mike Gundy is 7-9 in his career against Texas, while Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has never faced Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State from a Distance
Oklahoma State has established itself as a top-tier program in the nation in recent history, becoming one of just 11 Power Five programs with more than 100 wins since 2010. The Cowboys have won 72.6% of their games (106-40) during that timeframe and have school-record streaks of 15 consecutive bowl bids and 15 consecutive winning seasons.
In 2021, the Cowboys are 5-0 for the first time since 2015 and for the fifth time in the Mike Gundy era. Oklahoma State battled through one-possession, shorthanded wins in the first three games of the season and has now started to hit its stride with double-digit wins over ranked opponents in back-to-back games. Running back Jaylen Warren has been OSU’s most impactful player on offense, eclipsing 100 yards rushing in each of the last three games. He’s made a difference as a ball-carrier and as a receiver out the backfield and is now 17th nationally with an average of 126.0 yards from scrimmage per game. Quarterback Spencer Sanders is a proven dual threat, as he is one of just nine FBS players averaging more than 195 passing yards and more than 45 rushing yards per game in 2021. He also ranks second in the Big 12 and No. 21 in the FBS with an average of 13.95 passing yards per completion. Sanders’ top target has been wide receiver Tay Martin, who leads the team in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns despite missing nearly all of the Tulsa and Boise State games. Martin has produced at least 100 receiving yards in all three of his complete games this season.
Since Jim Knowles arrived as defensive coordinator in 2018, the Cowboy defense has gone from allowing 6.04 yards per play in 2018, to 5.79 in 2019, 5.32 in 2020 and now 4.61 so far in 2021. If the Cowboys hold that average this season, it will mark the best since the 1992 season when OSU also allowed just 4.61 yards per play. One of the biggest reasons for the that success is that OSU has had at least nine senior starters in each game this year, led by linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
Through five games,
Rodriguez ranks No. 3 in the FBS with 10.8 total tackles per game and No. 7 in the FBS with 6.2 solo stops per game. He also ranks No. 14 with a pair of forced fumbles, has added a fumble recovery and has made game-changing plays every Saturday this season. Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel has also been a key factor, as he ranks No. 21 nationally with two interceptions.
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
• Mark the first time in school history OSU has beaten AP-ranked opponents in three consecutive games. This stretch marks the 15th time OSU has faced at least three straight AP-ranked opponents.
• Make it 6-0 for the first time since 2015 and for the fifth time in the Mike Gundy era.
• Mark its eighth straight win, securing its longest winning streak since OSU won 12 straight from 2014-15. OSU’s seven-game winning streak entering the game is the fifth-longest active streak in the FBS.
• Make it 8-4 in its past 12 games against Texas.
• Make it 6-1 in its past seven games against Texas in Austin.
• Make the Cowboys 10-26 all-time vs. Texas and 7-16 vs. Texas in Austin.
• Improve Mike Gundy’s career record vs. Texas to 8-9.
• Improve Mike Gundy’s record in Big 12 games to 86-55.
• Improve it to 14-3 in its past 17 games, dating back to the 2020 season.
• Make it 142-66 in its history when playing as an AP-ranked team.
• Make it 6-2 in its past eight games when both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25.
• Make it 130-37 in its history when playing as a higher AP-ranked team than its opponent.
• Make it 13-5 in its past 18 games and 17-8 in its past 25 games vs. AP Top 25 teams.
• Improve it to 28-22 vs. AP ranked teams since the beginning of the 2011 season.
• Mark Mike Gundy’s 34th career win vs. AP Top 25 opponents. Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney are the only other active coaches with more wins over AP Top 25 teams at their current schools.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
• OSU’s defense has allowed fewer than 100 yards of offense in a half in each of its last four games. The Cowboys limited Baylor to 99 yards in the first half, Tulsa to 89 yards in the first half, Boise State to 64 yards in the second half and Kansas State to 84 yards in the second half.
• OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 18 of the past 22 games and seven of the past nine.
• OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50 percent third down conversion rate in 16 straight games.
• OSU has held 14 of its past 16 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average.
• Malcolm Rodriguez has recorded at least seven tackles in 10 straight games.
• Jaylen Warren has scored a rushing touchdown in five of his past six games played.
• OSU has won 75 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and longest since at least 1980.
• OSU is 29-10 in its past 39 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
• OSU is 35-5 in its past 40 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
• Dating back to 2005, OSU is 42-3 when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to 2008, OSU is 66-8 when winning the turnover battle.
• OSU has won three of its last four overtime games.
• OSU has forced 16 turnovers in its last nine games.
• OSU has had a 100-yard rusher in 10 of its past 15 games.
Team and Player Notes
Seeking History with Three Straight Ranked Wins
Oklahoma State has the chance to do something this week that it has never done before: beat an AP-ranked opponent for the third time in as many games. The chance to face three ranked teams consecutively hasn’t come around often. This is the 15th time OSU has faced at least three ranked opponents in a row and the first time since 2017. This is just the third time in school history that the Cowboys enter the third game of the stretch having won the first two. The first came in 1976 after wins over No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 10 Missouri, and the second came in 2013 with wins over No. 23 Texas and No. 3 Baylor. The 2013 stretch also kicked off the longest ranked-opponent gauntlet in school history with five straight ranked foes, while no other stretch has gone more than three games. OSU has had three-game stretches facing ranked opponents in the 1959-60, 1962-63, 1970, 1976, 1984-85, 1993, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2008-09, 2013-14, 2014, 2015, 2017 and now 2021 seasons.
Texas Longhorns
SERIES HISTORY
Overall Record ……………………………………………………. Texas leads, 26-9
In Austin …………………………………………………………….. Texas leads, 15-6
In Stillwater………………………………………………………….. Texas leads, 9-3
At Netural …………………………………………………………….. Texas leads, 2-0
Gundy vs. Texas ……………………………………………………………………… 7-9
Sarkisian vs. Oklahoma State ………………………………………… Never Met
Current Streak …………………………………………….Texas, Won 2 (2019-20)
Last Meeting …………………….. Texas 41, Oklahoma State 34 (OT) (2021)
Longest Texas Streak……………………………………… Won 12 (1998-2009)
Longest Oklahoma State Streak ……………………………. Won 6 (1952-57)
Largest Texas Win…………………….. Texas 71, Oklahoma State 14 (1996)
Largest Oklahoma State Win……… Oklahoma State 42, Texas 16 (1997)
GAME NOTES
THE OPENING KICKOFF
• The University of Texas continues its 129th season of football on Saturday when the No. 25/RV Longhorns host No. 12/12 Oklahoma State for the 36th all-time meeting.
• Last week, Texas (4-2, 2-1) fell to Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown, 55-48, snapping the Longhorns’ three-game winning streak.
• Oklahoma State heads to Austin with a 5-0 record and 2-0 mark in conference. The Cowboys were off last week after defeating Baylor, 24-14, in Stillwater on October 2.
• Saturday’s matchup will be Texas’ fourth consecutive 11 a.m. kickoff, with the Longhorns holding a 2-1 record in the previous three games. In all, the Longhorns have played four day games this season with a 3-1 mark heading into Saturday’s game.
• Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State will be Texas’ third against a ranked opponent this season with the Longhorns holding a 1-1 record in the previous games.
• UT has scored 32 or more points in five of six games this season and in seven of the last eight games overall.
• Texas currently boasts 927 all-time wins, the fourth-most in college football history. UT holds an all-time record of 927-380-33 (.704).
SERIES HISTORY VS. OKLAHOMA STATE
• Texas is set to face off with Oklahoma State for the 36th time in program history this Saturday, and for the 22nd time in Austin.
• The Longhorns hold a 26-9 advantage in the series over the Cowboys, including a 15-6 mark in Austin.
• Texas won last year’s contest in Stillwater in thrilling fashion, winning 41-34 in overtime on a Joshua Moore 15-yard touchdown reception from Sam Ehlinger followed by a game-ending fourth down sack by Joseph Ossai.
• The Longhorns have defeated the Cowboys in two-straight games after dropping the previous four matchups. It marked the first back-to-back victories in the series for Texas since 2008-09.
• UT’s 57-point victory over Oklahoma State (71-14) in 1996 – the first season of Big 12 Football – still stands as the largest margin of victory by either side in the series’ history.
• After Texas won 12-straight meetings from 1998- 2009, the Cowboys have won seven of the last 11 contests between the schools since 2010.
VS. OKLAHOMA STATE (LAST 10 MEETINGS)
Year Location Result Score
2011……….Austin…………………………….L…………26-38
2012……….Stillwater……………………….W………..41-36
2013……….Austin…………………………….L…………13-38
2014……….Stillwater……………………….W………….28-7
2015……….Austin…………………………….L…………27-30
2016……….Stillwater………………………..L…………31-49
2017……….Austin…………………………….L….10-13 (OT)
2018……….Stillwater………………………..L…………35-38
2019……….Austin……………………………W………..36-30
2020……….Stillwater……………………….W…41-34 (OT)
A TEXAS WIN WOULD …
• Be Texas’ 928th victory all-time, keeping UT as the fourth-winningest program in college football history.
• Improve the Longhorns to 27-9 all-time against Oklahoma State.
• Give Steve Sarkisian his 51st victory as a head coach and fifth at The University of Texas.
• Give Texas a 5-2 mark under Steve Sarkisian, making Sarkisian the first Texas head coach to win five of his first seven games since Mack Brown started 5-2 in 1998.
• Improve Sarkisian’s record against programs representing the Big 12 to 4-3 and bring his record against teams currently in the Big 12 to 3-2.
Sat., Oct. 16 @ 2:30 pm CT
BYU Cougars at Baylor Bears
BYU VS. BAYLOR SERIES
Total games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Series Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
at BYU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0
at Baylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-1
Neutral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-0
First game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1983, Baylor won 40-36
Last game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1984, BYU won 47-13
Average Score . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.5-26.5
BYU Cougars
• THE SERIES. BYU and Baylor are meeting for the third time after a home-and-home series in 1983 and 1984. Baylor beat the Cougars in the first meeting in the 1983
season opener in Waco. Following that loss, BYU went on a historic 25-game winning streak that included a national championship the following season in 1984. The Cougars did not lose again after the 1983 season opener until game two of the 1985 season. BYU topped the Bears in 1984 with a 47-13 win in Provo during the run.
• IN THE TOP 25. Highlighted by three Pac-12 wins, including two wins over ranked teams, BYU came in at No. 19 in the AP Top 25 and No. 20 in the Coaches Poll this
week. The Cougars are 14-3 under Kalani Sitake when ranked. BYU finished the 2020 season No. 11 after going 11-1.
• BIG 12 PREVIEW. On Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, BYU accepted an official invitation to join the Big 12 Conference in all sports. The Cougars joined Cincinnati, Houston and UCF as the four new members. BYU is expected to play its first season in the Power 5 conference in 2023. The Cougars have a record of 85-49 since becoming an independent in 2011. Facing Baylor will be a preview of a regular meeting for the two teams as conference foes in the near future.
• GRIMEY REUNION. Jeff Grimes, Baylor’s offensive coordinator spent three seasons with the Cougars as the offensive coordinator from 2018-2020. That was Grimes’
second stint as a Cougar, having spent the 2004-06 seasons at BYU as the offensive line coach. In addition to Grimes, Baylor offensive line coach Eric Mateos held the same position at BYU during the 2019-20 campaigns.
• COACHING CONNECTIONS. In addition to Grimes and Mateos and their connections to BYU, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda and several Cougar coaches have worked together in the past. BYU assistant head coach Ed Lamb was the head coach at Southern Utah in 2008 when Aranda worked for him as the defensive coordinator for the Thunderbirds. BYU linebackers coach Kevin Clune served in the same role on Aranda’s defensive staff at Utah State in 2012 and Ilaisa Tuiaki was on the offensive side of the ball at Utah State in 2012
BYU–BAYLOR SERIES
All-Time Series: 1-1
At BYU: 1-0
At Baylor: 0-1
First meeting: Baylor 40, BYU 36 (Sep. 10, 1983)
Last meeting: No. 13 BYU 47, Baylor 13 (Sep. 8,
1984 | Provo, Utah) – BYU avenged 1983’s heartbreaking loss in Waco with a 34-point, dominating win over the Bears at Cougar Stadium. BYU quarterback Robbie Bosco went 28-of-43 for 363 yards passing and six touchdowns, two of which were caught by tight end David Mills. Meanwhile on defense, the Cougars forced four interceptions while holding Baylor to its second-lowest scoring total of the season.
SERIES FACTS
• Largest margin of victory: 34 points (No. 13 BYU 47, Baylor 13 | Sep. 8, 1984)
• Average margin of victory: 19 points
• BYU single-game passing leader versus Baylor: Robbie Bosco | 363 yds | 1984.
• BYU single-game rushing leader versus Baylor: Robert Parker | 131 yds | 1984
• BYU single-game receiving leader versus Baylor: David Mills | 115 yds | 1984.
• BYU single-game all-purpose yards leader: Robert Parker | 150 yds | 1984
ALL-TIME RESULTS
• Baylor 40, BYU 36 (Sept 10, 1983)
• No. 13 BYU 47, Baylor 13 (Sept. 8, 1984)
Baylor Bears
STORY LINES
• Baylor hosts BYU Saturday at McLane Stadium for the 97th Homecoming game in school history.
• Baylor’s Homecoming parade (8 am Saturday) is the nation’s largest. BU held its first Homecoming in 1909, the nation’s first of its kind, with a parade, bonfire and pep rally centered around a football game.
• Baylor is 1-1 all-time vs. BYU with a 40-36 win in Waco (1983) and a 47-13 loss in Provo (1984).
• Baylor is 5-1 or better at the halfway point for the 6th time in the last 9 seasons (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). Prior to that stretch, the last time BU was 5-1 or better after six games was 1994.
• BU rolled up 525 yards of offense on its way to a 45-20 win over West Virginia on Saturday, bouncing back from its only loss of the season at now-No. 12-ranked Oklahoma State (Oct. 2).
• BU beat No. 14 Iowa State on Sept. 25 for its first ranked win since 2015. Saturday’s game against No. 19 BYU will be the third top-20 opponent the Bears will have faced in the last four weeks.
• Baylor leads the Big 12 in turnover margin (+1.0), most interceptions (8) and fewest interceptions thrown (0). Baylor and Ole Miss are the nation’s only teams to not throw an interception this season.
• Baylor is 1 of 3 Power-5 teams ranked top-25 nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense (BU, Georgia, Michigan). BU is 22nd in scoring defense (17.8) and 17th in scoring offense (38.3).
• Baylor ranks 5th nationally with 11 fourth-down conversions, including 6 times in its own territory.
• Baylor’s offense leads the Big 12 and ranks 6th nationally, averaging 7.32 yards per play.
• BU is 16th nationally (10th in P5) with 227.6 rushing ypg after ranking 123rd last season (90.3 ypg).
• Baylor ranks 12th nationally in both pass efficiency (168.31) and pass defense efficiency (108.50).
• Six different Baylor players have intercepted passes this season, accounting for a Big 12-best 8 INTs.
• BU’s defense ranks 7th in the Power-5 with only 175.0 passing yards allowed per game.
• BU has forced twice as many turnovers (27) as it has allowed (13) in 15 games under Dave Aranda.
• Baylor’s O-Line has allowed only 1.0 sacks per game, which ranks 12th nationally (5th in Power-5).
• Gerry Bohanon and Matt Corral are the nation’s only QBs with 1,000+ passing yards and 0 interceptions.
• Bohanon is 1 of 3 players (Matt Corral, Malik Willis) with 6+ rushing TDs and 10+ passing TDs.
ADDITIONAL STORYLINES
• This is only the third time Baylor has faced a non-conference opponent for Homecoming – 1977 (38-7 win vs. Air Force) and 1992 (31-27 win vs. Georgia Tech).
• Baylor is 48-44-4 all-time in Homecoming games, including 9-1 in Homecoming games since 2010.
• Baylor is seeking its second win over a ranked opponent this season – it would mark the first time BU has defeated two ranked teams in the first 7 games of a season since 1985 (at No. 3 USC, at No. 16 SMU).
• Baylor returned 17 of 22 starters and 54 of 68 letterman from last season’s team.
• The Bears welcomed four new assistant coaches for 2021 – Jeff Grimes (Offensive Coordinator/TEs), Eric Mateos (Offensive Line), Chansi Stuckey (Wide Receivers) and Kevin Curtis (Cornerbacks).
• The Bears added a pair of experienced O-Line transfers with Jacob Gall (13 starts at Buffalo) and Grant Miller (16 starts at Vanderbilt). Four members of the O-Line now have a combined 99 career starts.
• BU returned 7 starters on offense, led by OL Connor Galvin and Xavier Newman-Johnson now with 29 starts apiece.
• Baylor’s defense returned 10 starters from a unit which allowed only 203.0 passing yards per game last season, second-best in the Big 12. BU has allowed 175.0 passing ypg in 6 games this year (16th-fewest in FBS).
• Baylor’s five starting defensive backs have a combined 205 career games played and 105 career starts. CB Raleigh Texada has a team-high 35 career starts, including each of the last 29 games.
• BU is playing its 120th season of football and holds a 614-585-44 (.512) all-time record. Baylor has scored in a school-record 180-straight games – doubling the previous record of 89 games from Dec. 31, 1979 – Oct. 23, 1987.
BAYLOR SET FOR 97TH HOMECOMING CELEBRATION
• Baylor plays its 97th Homecoming game Saturday, marking the 112th anniversary of its first Homecoming in 1909.
• Baylor holds the nation’s largest Homecoming Parade and has a claim as the nation’s first school to celebrate Homecoming. Historians differ on the Homecoming definition, but Baylor held a two-day event in November 1909 that included a bonfire, pep rally and parade centered around a football game, the nation’s first of its kind.
• The Homecoming event became annual in 1924 when the name was changed from “Good Will Week.”
• The Bears are 48-44-4 in Homecoming contests, including a 12-12 record in the Big 12 era. Baylor’s first Homecoming game was a 6-3 win over TCU in 1909, and TCU is the most common opponent (35 games).
• Baylor has played a Homecoming game every season since 1924, with the exception of two years during World War II when BU didn’t field a team (1943-44) and when the 2020 game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
GRIMES BRINGS RVO TO WACO
• Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has brought RVO to Waco – “Reliable Violent Offense” – an attacking, multipleformation offense that runs a few plays a lot of ways with as much misdirection as any team in the country.
• Under Grimes, Baylor’s offense leads the Big 12 in yards per play (7.31), yards per rush (6.01) and fewest sacks allowed (1.0/game) and ranks 3rd in the league in total offense (461.3 ypg) and rushing offense (227.5 ypg).
• Baylor and Ole Miss are the nation’s only teams which haven’t thrown an interception this season.
• Grimes’ 2020 BYU offense finished 3rd nationally in scoring (43.5 ppg) and 7th in total offense (522.2 ypg).
• Joining Grimes in making the move from Provo to Waco was offensive line coach Eric Mateos, who spent the past two seasons at BYU. Mateos’ offensive line ranked 8th nationally in 2020 with 1.0 sacks allowed per game, and the Bears currently rank tied for 12th nationally with only 1.0 sacks allowed per game in 2021.
FOURTH DOWN SUCCESS
• Baylor leads the Big 12 with 11 fourth-down conversions, three more than any other team in the league (WVU-8).
• BU is 11-of-14 on fourth downs (79%), the nation’s 4th-best conversion rate among teams with 10+ attempts.
• BU’s only failed fourth-down attempts were 4th-and-17 at Texas State and 4th-and-4 and 4th-and-10 at OSU.
• BU has gone 6-for-7 on 4th downs in its own territory, converting 4th-and-1 (own 34) at TXST, 4th-and-3 (own 37) vs. TXSO, 4th-and-3 (own 46) at KU, 4th-and-2 (own 45) at OSU, 4th-and-1 (own 34) vs. WVU and 4th-and-1 (own 37) vs. WVU. The only failed attempt in its own territory was 4th-and-4 (own 36) at OSU.
• Of the 7 fourth-down attempts in its own territory, the six conversions have led to 31 points for Baylor’s offense, while the BU defense forced a 3-and-out punt immediately after the lone failed attempt.
BEARS HAVE 5-1 RECORD AT HALFWAY POINT
• Baylor is 5-1 or better at the halfway point for the 6th time in the last 9 seasons. BU won 5+ games in the first half in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021. Prior to that stretch, the last time the Bears did so was 1994.
• Baylor has also won at least 3 of its first 4 Big 12 games for the 6th time in the last 9 seasons. Prior to 2013, BU was 3-1 or better in Big 12 play only twice in the league’s first 17 seasons (2006, 2010).
RANKED IN 9 OF LAST 12 SEASONS
• With its No. 21 ranking in the Sept. 26 AP Top 25, Baylor has now been ranked in the AP Top 25 in 9 of 12 seasons since 2010, after going 17 years between national rankings (1993-2010).
• The Bears climbed from receiving no votes in the AP poll in any of the first three weeks to No. 21 after their win over No. 14 Iowa State on Sept. 25. The win was Baylor’s first over a ranked opponent since 2015.
• Baylor is listed third among others receiving votes (28th) in the most recent AP Top 25.
SEEKING BOWL ELIGIBILITY
• Baylor needs one more win to become bowl-eligible for the 10th time in 12 seasons since 2010.
• Baylor went 16 years between bowl appearances – 1994 Alamo Bowl, 2010 Texas Bowl – but has been to nine bowl games in 11 seasons since snapping that streak.
BEARS AMONG BIG 12’S BEST DEFENSES
• Baylor’s defense leads the Big 12 passing defense efficiency (108.5) and interceptions (8). The Bears also allow only 175.0 passing yards per game, which ranks 16th nationally and 2nd in the Big 12.
• Baylor’s defense has allowed only 191.8 passing yards per game in 15 games under head coach Dave Aranda.
• BU’s defense has had 3 interceptions in a game twice this season – Sept. 4 at Texas State; JT Woods, Jalen Pitre and Jairon McVea and Oct. 2 at Oklahoma State; Raleigh Texada, JT Woods and Dillon Doyle.
• The Bears held Kansas to 57 passing yards, the 2nd-fewest by a BU defense in Big 12 play in the last 20 seasons, eclipsed only by the 54 passing yards allowed to Texas in the 2013 de-facto Big 12 Championship game.
BYU SERIES HISTORY
• Baylor and BYU are meeting for the third time. Baylor won the first meeting 40-36 in Waco in the 1983 season opener, but BYU evened the series with a 47-13 win in Provo in the 1984 season opener.
• BYU out-gained the Bears 494-469 despite running 16 fewer plays in the 1983 meeting in Waco, but Baylor piled up 282 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs on its way to the win at Floyd Casey Stadium.
• The Bears struggled to run the ball in the 1984 Provo meeting with just 90 yards on 35 carries, and BYU had 315 passing yards and 6 passing TDs on its way to a big win as the nation’s No. 13-ranked team.
Sat., Oct. 16 @ 3:00 pm CT
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks
TALE OF THE TAPE
34.8 (32/5) Points/Game (122/10) 17.2
34.3 (113/9) Points Allowed/Game (129/10) 43.8
155.7 (78/8) Rush Yards/Game (81/9) 149.0
302.3 (18/1) Pass Yards/Game (108/10) 181.6
458.0 (28/4) Total Offense/Game (115/10) 330.6
405.3 (84/7) Total Defense/Game (127/10) 493.2
(2021 National Ranking/Conference Ranking)
Texas Tech Red Raiders
SATURDAY STORYLINES
RED RAIDERS HOPE TO BOUNCE BACK
• Texas Tech will look for its third win away from home Saturday when the Red Raiders travel to face Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Tech has historically dominated the series, leading the Jayhawks, 20-2, alltime, including a 10-1 mark in Lawrence.
• A victory over the Jayhawks would give the Red Raiders back-to-back Big 12 road wins for the first time since the 2018 season when Texas Tech traveled to beat both Oklahoma State and TCU. The Red Raiders are also searching for their third win away from home, which would be Tech’s most since the 2017 campaign.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
RED RAIDERS LOOK TO CONTINUE SUCCESS IN LAWRENCE
• Texas Tech and Kansas will meet for the 23rd time in school history Saturday in a series that has historically been dominated by the Red Raiders. Tech is 20-2 all-time against the Jayhawks with wins in 13 of the past 14 meetings.
• Kansas snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Red Raiders in Texas Tech’s last visit to Lawrence as the Jayhawks rallied from 13-points down to kick a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation. The win was Kansas’ first all-time at home over the Red Raiders as Texas Tech was previously 10-0 in Lawrence.
• Kansas’ only other win in the series spoiled Homecoming for the Red Raiders in 2001 as the Jayhawks used overtime to shock the Jones AT&T Stadium crowd behind a 34-31 victory. It is one of two overtime games all-time in the series as the Red Raiders used double overtime en route to a 41-34 victory in 2012.
• Over the course of its 12-game winning streak over the Jayhawks, Texas Tech won 10 of those games by a double-digit margin. In fact, the Red Raiders averaged 22.5 points per victory during the winning streak over the Jayhawks, which ran from 2004-18.
• The Red Raiders have scored at least 30 points in all but two of the 18 previous meetings during the Big 12 era. The lone exceptions came in a 17-7 victory at home in 1997 and then last season’s 16-13 victory.
• The two schools have met four times outside the Big 12, which came in home-and-home series in 1965-66 and 1969-70. The 1965 game served as the first contest in college football history to utilize instant replay technology.
CAREER NOTABLES VERSUS THE JAYHAWKS
• Tony Bradford Jr. put together one of his best performances of his career a year ago against the Jayhawks as he totaled six tackles, including a career-high 2.5 that went for a loss. He had one of his two career sacks in the win as well.
• Tahj Brooks was Texas Tech’s lead back against the Jayhawks last season as the then true freshman carried 16 times for 79 yards. His 16 carries remain the most so far in his still young career.
• Erik Ezukanma has frustrated pretty much every Big 12 opponent over the past two years besides the Jayhawks. In his two career games against the Jayhawks, Ezukanma has combined for only three catches for 27 yards. He is nearing 2,000 career receiving yards entering this weekend as Ezukanma has totaled 116 receptions for 1,889 yards and 12 touchdowns over his 29 career games played.
• Kansas has been a memorable opponent for DaMarcus Fields over his career as the senior has 14 tackles, including 2.0 for a loss, to go along with four pass breakups and one forced fumble all-time against the Jayhawks. He totaled nine tackles and two pass breakups in Texas Tech’s last visit to Lawrence.
• Krishon Merriweather finished in double digits for the second time in his Texas Tech career a year ago against the Jayhawks as he had 12 stops, including 2.0 that went for a loss.
• Similar to Merriweather, Eric Monroe also had 2.0 tackles for loss to go along with a forced fumble a year ago against Kansas. His 2.0 tackles for loss remain a career high.
• Myles Price ended his 2020 true freshman campaign with a memorable outing against the Jayhawks as he had two catches for 43 yards as well as a 70-yard touchdown rush that marked Texas Tech’s only trip to the end zone in the win. The reverse play marked the longest rush from scrimmage by a non-running back since the Red Raiders moved to a spread offense in 2000.
• SaRodorick Thompson has recorded 97 rushing yards and a touchdown in his two previous appearances against the Jayhawks, the bulk of which coming in the 2019 visit to Lawrence. Thompson carried 20 times for 80 yards and a touchdown in that game. n Xavier White notched his best performance of his Texas Tech tenure a year ago as he rushed 14 times for a career-high 135 yards against the Jayhawks. It was the second career 100-yard performance of White’s career.
RED RAIDERS HEAD TO SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON
• The Red Raiders will look for at least two wins during the back half of the season to book their first bowl trip since the 2017 season. The Red Raiders, one of the most frequent bowl participants in college football history, are looking to avoid their first four-year bowl absence since staying home from postseason play over eight-consecutive seasons from 1978-85. This is currently the longest Texas Tech has gone without a bowl season since missing the postseason from 1990-92.
• A victory over Kansas would improve the Red Raiders to 5-2, marking their best start to a season since 2018. It would mark the 14th time in the Big 12 era where Texas Tech has started a season at 5-2 overall, with only two of those times ending without a bowl appearance (2011, 2018).
• Texas Tech entered this season ranked tied for 21st all-time with 38 career bowl appearances, matching the totals of fellow Big 12 member TCU as well as Ole Miss, BYU and Notre Dame. The Red Raiders are tied for third among current Big 12 members for bowl appearances, trailing only Texas (57) and Oklahoma (54).
RANDOM TIDBITS HEADING INTO KANSAS GAME
• Texas Tech is opening Big 12 play with three of its first four games on the road for the first time since its memorable 2008 season. The Red Raiders started league play that season with a road rout of Kansas State and an overtime home win against Nebraska before traveling to top both Texas A&M and No. 19 Kansas. Tech also started its Big 12 slate with three of its first four games away from home in both 2002 and 2006, finishing 2-2 over that stretch in both seasons.
• Kansas represents the seventh-consecutive unranked opponent for the Red Raiders, the longest streak to start a season since 2008 when Texas Tech opened with seven opponents outside the top-25, going a perfect 7-0 in those contests. The Red Raiders could potentially extend that streak to eight-straight games next weekend against a currently unranked Kansas State team, which would mark the longest such streak since 1966 when Tech faced its first ranked opponent in its final game – a 21-16 victory over No. 6 Arkansas. Matt Wells is 52-38 over his career against unranked opponents.
• Texas Tech is looking for its third win away from home already this season after topping Houston to start the season at NRG Stadium and then defeating West Virginia in Morgantown. Texas Tech has not won at least three road or neutral site games in a season since 2017 when the Red Raiders headed home with victories over Houston, Kansas, Baylor (AT&T Stadium – Arlington) and Texas.
• The Red Raiders are hoping for back-to-back Big 12 road wins for the first time since 2018 when Texas Tech opened its league slate with a 41-17 rout of No. 15 Oklahoma State and then followed with a 17-14 victory at TCU.
• The injury bug has plagued the Red Raiders in recent weeks as Texas Tech has been without up to eight of its starters the past two games, a list that includes two of its three All-Big 12 preseason selections in wide receiver Erik Ezukanma and center Dawson Deaton. Both Ezukanma and Deaton returned alongside DaMarcus Fields against TCU, but the Red Raiders were still without quarterback Tyler Shough (broken collarbone), defensive backs Marquis Waters (out for season) and Malik Dunlap, wide receiver J.J. Sparkman and running back Tahj Brooks.
• Texas Tech will once again have its hands full in the return game this weekend in Kansas kick returner Kenny Logan Jr. The Red Raiders have faced similar elite returners in recent weeks as Tech limited West Virginia returner Winston Wright to only 36 yards on three kickoffs and then Derius Davis of TCU, who had only one punt return for eight yards. Logan enters this weekend ranked 12th in the FBS, averaging 28.9 yards per kick return.
• The Red Raiders have been successful in stopping opposing kick returners all season as Texas Tech leads the Big 12 and ranks 20th nationally, allowing only 17.1 yards per kick return. Kickoff specialist Trey Wolff has allowed only 13 returns all season thanks to 23 touchbacks on 38 attempts (60.5 percent).
• Texas Tech follows its game against Kansas by hosting Kansas State the following weekend. It marks only the fourth time in the Big 12 era where Tech has faced the two Sunflower State schools in back-to-back weeks as the Red Raiders previously did so in 2000, 2001 and 2016, splitting the two games in each of those three years.
• The win over West Virginia improved Matt Wells to 8-1 over his career in the week immediately after suffering a loss by 30 or more points. That includes a 2-1 mark while at Texas Tech as the Red Raiders previously overcame an early loss at No. 6 Oklahoma to defeat No. 21 Oklahoma State at home just a week later in 2019.
• Texas Tech had struggled in the opening quarter up until its win over West Virginia as the Red Raiders led the Mountaineers, 14-0, after the opening 15 minutes. It marks the only time the Red Raiders have led after the first quarter all season as Tech was previously tied with both Stephen F. Austin and FIU and trailed Houston, Texas and TCU. Prior to the West Virginia game, opponents were outscoring the Red Raiders by a 42-14 margin.
• Texas Tech enters this weekend having not thrown for a touchdown in back-to-back weeks as the Red Raiders have found the end zone via the ground game six times during that stretch. It marks the first time Tech has failed to throw for a passing touchdown in consecutive games since the Red Raiders faced No. 24 Oklahoma State and then Oklahoma to wrap the 1997 season.
• Texas Tech is now 42-17 against unranked conference opponents at home during the Big 12 era (1996-present) after its loss to TCU. The Red Raiders had previously won their last two conference games at home following wins over Baylor and Kansas to close their 2020 home slate.
FLAGS CONTINUE TO DECREASE UNDER WELLS
• This weekend’s matchup pits two of the least penalized teams in the Big 12 as Kansas currently ranks ninth in the FBS with 4.4 penalties per game and 10th for penalty yards per game (38.8). The Red Raiders, meanwhile, are 39th in the FBS and fourth in the Big 12 with 5.67 penalties per game and then 47th with 49.3 penalty yards per game. Kansas leads the league in both categories.
• Texas Tech committed only two penalties in its win over West Virginia, marking its fewest in a game since the Red Raiders were called for the same amount in their 2017 win at Kansas. The Red Raiders were penalized for only 20 yards against West Virginia, which was the third time already under Matt Wells where Texas Tech had 20 or less penalty yards (2020 at West Virginia and 2020 at Texas).
• The Red Raiders followed with only four penalties for just 25 yards this past weekend against TCU. Over its three Big 12 contests this season, Texas Tech is committing only 4.3 penalties per game at the tune of 34.7 yards. The Red Raiders rank third in the Big 12 in both categories, trailing only Kansas and then Iowa State.
• Under Matt Wells, Texas Tech is averaging 6.3 penalties and 55.8 penalty yards per game, a drastic improvement from the 7.8 penalties and 69.4 penalty yards per game the Red Raiders averaged from 2000-18.
CLOSE WINS TURNING FOR THE RED RAIDERS
• After struggling to finish out tight games in Matt Wells’ debut season in 2019, the Red Raiders have turned the tide in one-possession games as the West Virginia victory marked Texas Tech’s sixth win since the start of the 2020 season in games determined by eight points or less. The Red Raiders are 6-2 in one-possession games during that span, which includes four Big 12 wins over West Virginia (twice), Baylor and Kansas.
• Texas Tech and Kansas have split one-possession games in each of the past two years as the Jayhawks edged the Red Raiders, 37-34, in 2019 before falling via a 16-13 decision last year in Lubbock
RED RAIDERS SHOWING SIGNS OF BEING A STRONG SECOND HALF TEAM
• Texas Tech is currently outscoring opponents, 119-81, in the second half this season,, including a 68-55 advantage in the third quarter, and a 51-26 advantage in the fourth quarter.
• The Red Raiders erased a 14-point deficit to win at Houston and then battled back from a slow start to edge Stephen F. Austin. It marked the first time the Red Raiders had battled back to win from halftime deficits in back-to-back games since Texas Tech topped both Nevada (35-34) and Kansas (45-34) early in the 2011 season.
• Texas Tech overcame a 14-point deficit against Houston to win for the second time in a four-game stretch facing that type of deficit as the Red Raiders previously battled back late in the 2020 season against Baylor. Prior to that game, the Red Raiders had not overcome such a deficit since rallying from a 20-0 hole against Kansas in 2011.
SCORING IN A VARIETY OF WAYS
• The Red Raiders have found multiple ways to find the end zone this season as Texas Tech currently ranks tied for fifth nationally with two defensive touchdowns, which have come from interceptions by both Riko Jeffers and Marquis Waters. Baylor is the only other Big 12 program with multiple defensive touchdowns so far this season.
• Dating back to the start of the 2000 season, Texas Tech was able to record a pair of pick-six touchdowns in its first three games for the first time. Jeffers’ interception versus Houston marked the first pick-six by a Red Raider since Adrian Frye went 43 yards into the end zone against Lamar in 2018.
• Texas Tech returns home to host TCU averaging an impressive 34.8 point per game, which ranks 32nd nationally and fifth in the Big 12 through six games. Tech’s 209 points through the first six games are the most for the Red Raiders under Matt Wells during that span.
• Despite a slow start, the Red Raiders scored 54 points versus FIU, marking the first time Texas Tech has hit the 50-point mark since facing Texas in the second game of the 2020 season. It marked the second 50-point performance for the Red Raiders under head coach Matt Wells, who has hit the 50-point mark 16 times now as a head coach.
Kansas Jayhawks
JAYHAWKS RETURN HOME TO FACE TEXAS TECH IN HOMECOMING
MATCHUP
The Kansas Jayhawks are set to return to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday to host Texas Tech at 3 p.m., in a Homecoming matchup. The Jayhawks have played their last two games on the road and three of their last four. However, Kansas returns to Lawrence for backto-back home games, first against the Red Raiders and then Oklahoma on Oct. 23. Kansas beat Texas Tech 37-34 in 2019; the last time the two programs met in Lawrence. That matchup, also a Homecoming game, ended in dramatic fashion when Liam Jones hit a 32-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Jayhawks the three-point win. Kansas trailed 17-0 and 27-14 at different points of the game, before pulling out the victory. Each of the last two matchups between the Jayhawks and Red Raiders have been decided by three points. Texas Tech barely outlasted Kansas 16-13 in Lubbock last season to end the Jayhawk regular season. This year’s game is set for an ESPN+ telecast with Roy Philpott and Ryan Leaf on the call.
QUICK HITS
• Kansas enters this Saturday’s matchup with Texas Tech with just 22 total penalties in five games this season. The 22 penalties are the fourth-fewest in the country and the lowest total in the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks are averaging 4.40 penalties per game, which ranks ninth in the country and tops in the league.
• After allowing six sacks at Coastal Carolina, the Kansas offensive line has allowed just one sack over the last three games, which came at Duke. The Jayhawks have started the same combination each of the last three games: Earl Bostick Jr. (Left Tackle), Malik Clark (Left Guard), Mike Novitsky (Center), Michael Ford Jr. (Right Guard) and Bryce Cabeldue (Right Tackle). Kansas is averaging 163.7 rushing yards over the last three games, and the Jayhawks are averaging 4.2 yards per carry as a team.
• The Kansas defense has forced at least one fumble in each game this season, including two apiece versus South Dakota and Baylor. The Jayhawks rank 11th in the country in forced fumbles per game at 1.40. Both super-senior defensive end Kyron Johnson and junior safety Kenny Logan Jr., have multiple forced fumbles this season.
• True freshman running back Devin Neal has rushed for 190 yards on 32 carries over his two games, both road starts at Duke and Iowa State. Neal is averaging nearly six yards per carry in those two games at 5.9. He had 74 rushing yards on 22 carries over his first three games.
• Junior wide receiver Trevor Wilson – a transfer from Buffalo in the offseason – is averaging 18.07 yards per catch, which ranks third in the conference behind Xavier Worthy (Texas) and Marvin Mims (Oklahoma). Wilson has 15 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
• Junior safety Kenny Logan Jr., has 39 tackles, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles in four games this season. He ranks fifth in the Big 12 Conference with 7.8 tackles per game. Logan and Khoury Bethley from Hawaii are the only two players in the country with 35-plus tackles, fourplus pass breakups and multiple forced fumbles already this season.
• Quarterback Jason Bean is leading the team in both passing and rushing through five games this season. Bean has thrown for 852 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. He’s also rushed for 289 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. He is seventh in the Big 12 in total offense yards per game at 228.2.
• The Jayhawks have been strong in the return game this season. Receiver Kwamie Lassiter II ranks third in the Big 12, averaging 12.3 yards per punt return. Meanwhile, safety Kenny Logan Jr., is fourth in the league in kick returns at 28.88. The Jayhawks had negative punt return yards last year as a team.
• Kwamie Lassiter II had three catches last time out against Iowa State, which moved him into 11th all-time in Kansas school history with 107 career receptions. He passed Marcus Henry, Emmett Edwards and Charles Gordon with his three catches against the Cyclones and is now one behind Harrison Hill for 10th.
• Through five games, the Kansas offense has had 18 plays go for 20 yards or more. In nine total games last year, the Jayhawk offense had just 16 total plays of 20 or more yards. The Jayhawks had three such plays last time out; two Jason Bean passes and one Devin Neal run.
Sat., Oct. 16 @ 6:30 pm ET
TCU Horned Frogs at Oklahoma Sooners
ABOUT THE GAME
• After opening a season with four consecutive home games for just the second time in its history, TCU is on the road for a second consecutive week as it makes the short trek up I-35 to face No. 4 Oklahoma on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on ABC.
• TCU has won five of its last 11 games versus top-five opponents with only two of those contests at home.
• Since TCU began Big 12 play in 2012, six of its nine regular-season games versus Oklahoma have been decided by seven points or less.
• Zach Evans is the first Horned Frog since 2002 with four consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
• Kendre Miller (7.84) and Evans (7.82) rank first and second nationally among active players in career yards per carry average.
TCU Horned Frogs
ROAD WARRIORS
• Since 2009, TCU is tied for third nationally with 45 road wins. The Horned Frogs are 45-20 (.692) in that stretch.
• TCU’s 53-26 record (.671) in road and neutral-site games since 2009 is seventh-best nationally.
• TCU’s 35-19 mark (.648) in conference road games since 2009 is tied for 10th-best in the FBS.
• TCU is 23-19 on the road in its Big 12 history.
SERIES HISTORY
• Oklahoma holds a 16-5 series lead over TCU.
• The Horned Frogs are 3-6 versus the Sooners in Norman, 2-8 in Fort Worth, 0-1 in Oklahoma City and 0-1 in Arlington (2017 Big 12 Championship Game).
• The first game in the series was a 34-19 Sooners’ victory in Oklahoma City in 1944.
• TCU’s 17-10 win at No. 5 Oklahoma in the 2005 season opener was its first victory over an opponent ranked that high since a 6-0 decision at No. 1 Texas in 1961. The 10 points by OU marked its fewest in a home game under former Head Coach Bob Stoops.
FAMILIAR FACE
• TCU outside receivers coach Malcolm Kelly was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection and a 2005 Freshman All-American at Oklahoma.
• Kelly totaled 144 receptions for 2,285 yards and 21 touchdowns in just three seasons. When he left Norman, Kelly ranked second all-time at Oklahoma with 21 touchdown catches and nine 100-yard receiving games. He tied a school record with 11 receptions as a sophomore versus Texas Tech in 2006.
TRUE LEADER
• Quarterback Max Duggan has been named one of two Big 12 student-athletes to represent the conference in serving on the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group.
• As part of the committee assignment, Duggan will represent the interests of Big 12 players and college football as a whole.
TCU NOTABLES
• Over the last seven seasons, TCU has the Big 12’s third-best conference record (39-26) and overall mark (61-32).
• TCU is one of just seven programs nationally to finish with an Associated Press Top-10 final ranking in at least three of the last seven seasons (2014, 2015, 2017). The others are Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Penn State.
• TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson, at 21 seasons, is the nation’s second-longest tenured head coach, trailing only Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz (23rd year).
• During Patterson’s time at TCU, all other FBS programs in Texas have had at least four head coaches.
• Patterson has released two music singles in which he wrote and provided lead vocals on, “Take A Step Back” and “Game On.”
• TCU’s 34-32 win over Cal improved its record to 8-0 under Patterson against Pac-12 opponents.
Oklahoma Sooners
OPENING KICK
• No. 4/3 Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) will try for its eighth straight win over TCU (3-2, 1-1) and 15th consecutive victory overall when it hosts the Horned Frogs on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised by ABC with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe announcing.
• OU’s 14-game winning streak is tied for the seventh longest in program history and is the Sooners’ longest since winning 14 straight over the 2016 and ’17 seasons (last 10 games of 2016 and first four of ’17). The 14-game streak is also the longest active one in the country, with only one other Power Five program (Iowa at 12) owning a streak longer than 10 games. OU’s last loss came more than a full year ago (Oct. 3, 2020, at Iowa State).
• This is Oklahoma’s second 6-0 start in the last 10 years (it won its first seven games of 2019).
• OU has registered winning streaks of at least six games in a schoolrecord seven straight seasons. The previous program record for six-game winning streaks was six consecutive campaigns (1953-58) under Bud Wilkinson. A win vs. TCU would give OU winning streaks of at least seven games in each of the last seven seasons. Since 1980, only Boise State (11 straight seasons; 2002-12) and Alabama (10 straight seasons; 2011-20) have posted winning streaks of at least seven games in seven consecutive years.
• Oklahoma has won 21 of its last 22 games immediately following its regular season matchup vs. Texas. The lone loss during the stretch — to Kansas State in Norman in 2014 — was by one point (31-30).
• OU has won 14 Big 12 titles in the first 25 years of the league, with no other program winning more than three. All 14 of OU’s Big 12 titles have come in the last 21 years, with no other program winning more than two during the span. TCU joined the Big 12 prior to 2012 season and has one Big 12 championship (shared the 2014 crown with Baylor).
• The Sooners beat TCU 41-17 in the 2017 Big 12 Championship game in Arlington, Texas. It was the first Big 12 title contest since 2010.
• OU has won as many Big 12 titles the last six seasons (six) as it has lost games against Big 12 opponents (55-6 record; includes four Big 12 Championship games).
• Come Saturday, Oklahoma will have been Big 12 champion for 2,150 consecutive days.
• OU is 149-31 (.828) in regular season Big 12 play since the start of the 2000 season. That’s 27 more wins than the program with the next most victories during that period (Texas; 122-58) and 47 more than the program with the third most (Oklahoma State; 102-78).
KEY STORYLINES
• Oklahoma is 9-1 against TCU since the Horned Frogs joined the Big 12 Conference prior to the 2012 season. The Sooners’ lone loss was a 37-33 decision in 2014 in Fort Worth. Each of the first five meetings after TCU joined the league were decided by seven or fewer points, but OU has won the last five — all since Lincoln Riley became head coach — by an average of 18 points.
• The Sooners have statistically dominated each of their last seven matchups against TCU, all wins. Over those seven contests, Oklahoma has outgained the Horned Frogs 3,609 yards to 2,475 (+162.0 ypg) and owns a 173-115 advantage in first downs (79-41 over the last three years). It has gained over 500 yards in five of the seven meetings and had 498 and 461 in the other two. OU has been particularly dominant in the run game, outgaining TCU 1,866 yards to 790 (+153.7 ypg). It has registered at least 200 rushing yards in six of the seven contests (TCU’s high is 161) and has surpassed 300 yards on three occasions (366 in 2019, 323 in 2018 and 333 in 2015).
• OU has already tied the single-season school record with five wins by seven or fewer points (also in 2010 and 2019), and each of the last four victories have been between three and seven points. This marks the first time in program history the Sooners have won four consecutive games by seven or fewer points each.
• Saturday’s game will feature two of the Big 12’s top rushers in TCU’s Zach Evans and OU’s Kennedy Brooks. Among players with at least 10 rushes per game, Evans leads the league with his 7.9 yards per carry (586 yards on 74 rushes) while Brooks ranks third at 6.8 yards per carry (535 yards on 79 rushes). Both have six rushing touchdowns on the year.
• Oklahoma’s defense has held five of six opponents this season to 100 or fewer rushing yards (87.5 average). Over OU’s last 19 contests, only two running back have rushed for 100 yards in a game against the Sooners (Iowa State’s Breece Hall had 139 yards in the third game of last season while Texas’ Bijan Robinson had 137 on Saturday). OU ranks 17th nationally by permitting just 3.0 yards per carry this season while TCU ranks 116th by allowing 5.2 per rush.
• The Sooners have committed only six turnovers through six games and rank 23rd nationally with their 10 takeaways (rank 17th nationally with their +4 turnover margin. Oklahoma has only fumbled three times this season (lost just one) while its opponents have fumbled 15 times and lost seven. OU has also registered three interceptions.
• Oklahoma’s defense has spent a lot of time in the opponent backfield this season. OU ranks 14th nationally with its 3.2 sacks per game and is 10th in the country with 7.7 tackles for loss per contest. Defensive linemen Perrion Winfrey and Isaiah Thomas are tied for second in the Big 12 with their 4.5 sacks while outside linebacker Nik Bonitto is tied for sixth with 4.0. TCU is permitting just 1.2 sacks per outing.
LAST YEAR VS. TCU
• Oklahoma scored a touchdown on its opening possession and never looked back in a 33-14 win at TCU on Oct. 24, 2020. The Sooners led 17-0 and 30-7 in beating the Horned Frogs for the seventh straight time.
• Freshman wide receiver Marvin Mims caught four passes for a then-career-high 132 yards (an OU season high) and scored on receptions of 50 and 61 yards. The 61-yarder wound up as the Sooners’ longest play from scrimmage on the year. He finished with a team-season-high 193 all-purpose yards and was named Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week. Sophomore Theo Wease had three catches for a then-career-high 87 yards, including a 44-yarder.
• Former OU running back T.J. Pledger logged his second straight 100-yard rushing performance with a 122-yard, one-touchdown effort. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry and scored on a 12-yard burst on the game’s opening possession.
• Redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler completed 13 of 22 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged a stout 25.5 yards per completion and 15.1 yards per attempt en route to a 215.9 passing efficiency rating. Rattler had five completions of at least 33 yards.
• OU registered three sacks and nine tackles for loss. Former defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles finished with a team-high nine tackles while linebacker DaShaun White had five. The Sooners logged nine tackles for loss (36 yards).
• Redshirt sophomore kicker Gabe Brkic tied a career high and equaled a school record by making four field goals (40, 22, 32 and 30 yards). His only miss was a 54-yarder that hit the crossbar.
• Neither team committed a turnover.
• The Sooners improved to 21-1 in their last 22 games following their regular season contest vs. Texas.
HOME IS WHERE THE “W” IS
• Oklahoma has won three more Big 12 championships over the last 23 years (14) than it has lost home games. OU is 127-11 (.920) at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium since the start of the 1999 season. It is the best home winning percentage among Power Five schools over the last 23 seasons (Ohio State is next at .890). OU has outscored its opponents by an average of 43-17 in those games.
• Saturday will mark OU’s 138th straight sellout of an originally scheduled home game, dating back to the start of the 1999 season (Bob Stoops’ first as head coach). Only Nebraska (FBS-record 379) has a longer current streak nationally.
DEFENSE PLAYS BIG HAND IN 14-GAME WINNING STREAK
• Oklahoma’s defense has figured prominently in the program’s 14- game winning streak that started on Oct. 10, 2020, against Texas. Here are some notes pertaining to the stretch:
• OU has held 13 of its last 14 opponents below a 50% third-down conversion rate (Kansas State converted 53% of its tries two games ago; the next highest during the 14-game stretch was 43% by Nebraska this season while the third highest was 36% by Texas Tech last year). Nine of the Sooners’ last 11 opponents have failed to convert more than 33% of third downs. OU ranks sixth nationally during the time period with its 31.1 opponent third-down conversion rate. In fact, OU ranks fourth nationally in the category since the start of the 2019 season (defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s first year in Norman) with its 31.1% figure.
• The Sooners have totaled 50 sacks over their last 14 games to rank first nationally since Oct. 10, 2020 (a total of 318 lost yards). In the same time frame, OU has registered 107 tackles for loss for an average of 7.6 per game and a total of 460 lost yards.
• Oklahoma has registered at least one takeaway in 12 straight games and in 13 of the last 14. OU is plus-13 in turnover margin (27 takeaways to 14 turnovers) during the 14-game winning streak and is plus-8 over its last nine contests.
• OU has 18 interceptions over its last 14 games to rank sixth nationally since Oct. 10, 2020.
2021 OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Oklahoma ranks eighth nationally with its 41.2 points per contest and second in the Big 12 with its 471.5 yards per game.
• OU’s 2.0 punts per game are third fewest in the country. Only Coastal Carolina (1.7) and Western Kentucky (1.8) have punted fewer times per game. The Sooners did not punt against Tulane or Kansas State.
• Among teams with at least 20 red zone trips this season, Oklahoma ranks second nationally with its 97.1% score rate (33 scores on 34 trips). Twenty-four of its 33 red zone scores (72.7%) have been touchdowns.
• Over its first three games vs. FBS teams this season (Tulane, Nebraska, West Virginia), OU averaged 122.3 rushing yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry. Over the last two games at Kansas State and vs. Texas, the Sooners averaged 235.0 rushing yards per contest and 6.4 per carry.
• Redshirt sophomore quarterback Spencer Rattler enters Saturday’s game ranked first in the Big 12 in completions (130) and completion percentage (74.3; ranks third nationally), and ranks second in total offense (242.8 ypg) and passing offense (228.5 ypg) and third in passing touchdowns (10) despite not playing in the second half against Western Carolina or Texas. He tied an OU record for TD passes in a half with five vs. Western Carolina and has thrown at least one TD pass in 16 of his 17 career starts (OU is 15-2 in his starts).
• Rattler has completed 45 of his last 56 pass attempts (80%).
• Quarterback Caleb Williams has completed 61% of his passes (22 of 36) for 314 yards and two touchdowns. He has been highly effective with his feet, running for 149 yards and two scores on only nine carries (16.6 yards per rush).
• Receiver Marvin Mims ranks fourth on the squad in receptions (19) but leads the team with 400 receiving yards (next most is 219). Mims ranks second in the Big 12 and 11th nationally with his 21.1 yards per catch. u Receiver Mario Williams leads the team with 23 catches and is followed closely by Michael Woods II (22) and Jadon Haselwood (21). Each of the three players have caught two touchdown passes this season, as have Mims and tight end/H-back Jeremiah Hall.
• Haselwood, who missed all but three games last season due to injury, has made his first six career starts this year. He was the consensus No. 1 national receiver in the 2019 recruiting class, while Williams was ESPN’s No. 1 receiver in the 2021 class.
• At least nine Sooners have caught a pass in each of their six games. u Redshirt junior Kennedy Brooks and junior Eric Gray have shared the vast majority of the rushing workload this season. Brooks leads the team in carries (79), rushing yards (535), rushing yards per game (89.2) and rushing touchdowns (six). Gray, a transfer from Tennessee, started OU’s first five games and has rushed 55 times for 282 yards (5.1 per carry; 47.0 yards per game) and has 10 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Walk-ons Jaden Knowles and Todd Hudson earned carries against Western Carolina and each scored two TDs.
• Redshirt sophomore running back Marcus Major sat out each of OU’s first five games this season but was deemed eligible by the NCAA the day before the Sooners’ game against Texas. He did not play against the Longhorns.
OU FOOT NOTES
• Redshirt junior kicker Gabe Brkic has made a nation-leading 15 field goals on 17 attempts this season (.882) and is 4 for 5 on tries from over 50 yards. Brkic ranked third nationally last season by averaging 2.0 field goal makes per game and this year ranks first by averaging 2.5.
• The longest field goal made this season nationally is 56 yards and Brkic has two of the four makes from that distance. He is one off the national lead with his eight makes from 50-plus yards since the start of the 2020 season (LSU’s Cade York has nine) while no other player has made more than five 50-yarders. Brkic’s nine career makes from 50 or farther are the most in OU history (next highest total is four). He also sits atop the Sooners’ career chart with 18 makes from at least 40 yards.
• Brkic, who was a 2020 first-team All-Big 12 selection (coaches and AP) and a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, is 52 for 60 (.867) on career field goal attempts and has made all 125 of his PAT tries. The OU career record for field goal percentage is .833 (75 for 90) by Michael Hunnicutt (2011-14).
• During Lincoln Riley’s five-year head coaching career, Oklahoma ranks first in the Big 12 and fourth nationally with its 85.0% success rate on field goal attempts (91 for 107). Kansas State is the next best Big 12 school in the category during the span, ranking 15th at 80.2%.
• During the same period, the Sooners rank third nationally in PAT conversion percentage among teams with at least 150 attempts, converting 328 of 329 tries (99.7%). Only Georgia (243 for 243) and Virginia Tech (187 of 187) have a higher success rate.
• Redshirt senior punter Michael Turk transferred to OU from Arizona State in August and earned the starting job. The 2019 and ’20 first-team All-Pac-12 selection averaged 46.2 yards per punt over the last two seasons and totaled 28 boots that went at least 50 yards. He has only punted 11 times this year (1.8 per game) and is averaging 49.6 yards per punt (has five punts over 50 yards, including an 85-yarder vs. Texas which tied as the third longest in OU history).
OU’S BIG 12 DOMINATION
• Oklahoma’s win over Iowa State in the 2020 Big 12 Championship resulted in the Sooners’ sixth straight Big 12 title and 14th since 2000 (no other program has won more than two during the span). For perspective, the two Power Five programs with the next most conference titles this millennium are Ohio State (11 in Big Ten) and Oregon (eight in Pac-10/Pac-12).
• The Sooners’ 14 Big 12 titles are 11 more than the program with the next most. Texas has won three Big 12 championships and is followed by Baylor, Kansas State and Nebraska (two each), and Colorado, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas A&M (one each). Colorado and Nebraska left the Big 12 after the 2010 season and Texas A&M departed after the 2011 campaign.
• Since 2010, OU has won eight Big 12 titles and is followed by Baylor (two) and Kansas State, Oklahoma State and TCU (one each).
• Oklahoma is the only program to win at least three straight Big 12 titles, and it has done so twice (2006-08 and 2015-20). Baylor (2013-14) is the only other program to win two Big 12 championships in a row.
• At 11-1, the Sooners are the only program with a winning record in Big 12 Championship games. Texas has the next best mark at 3-3.
• Since Lincoln Riley came to Norman as offensive coordinator in 2015, OU has posted a 50-6 (.893) record in regular season Big 12 play. The next best mark during the period is 36-20 (.643) by Oklahoma State.
MORE CONFERENCE TITLE TIDBITS
• Oklahoma and Clemson are each riding streaks of six outright conference championships. The last current Power Five program to win at least six straight outright league titles was OU when it claimed 12 Big Six/Seven crowns in a row under legendary Bud Wilkinson (1948-59).
• Every OU freshman class from 1999-2019 has won at least one Big 12 championship and all but the 2011 freshman class have won at least two. The 2015, 2016 and 2017 Freshman classes each won four Big 12 titles.
• OU leads the nation with its 50 all-time conference titles and is followed by Nebraska (46), Michigan (42), Ohio State (39) and USC (37).
Sat., Oct. 16 @ 6:30 pm CT
Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas State Wildcats
THE LEAD
Iowa State (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) travels to Kansas State (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) on Saturday. ISU will try and end a seven-game losing streak to the Wildcats in Manhattan.
ISU’s last win at KSU was in 2004. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has 27 career victories vs. Big 12 teams, sharing the school record with Dan McCarney (1995-2006) for most league wins. ISU is 14-2 in games played in October since 2017, tying for the second-most wins nationally by a Power 5 team in that span.
Iowa State Cyclones
KEY STORYLINES
• Iowa State is coming off a 59-7 win over Kansas, breaking the school record for most points scored in the 1st Q (28).
• In its last 10 games dating back to 2020, ISU has given up just 35 points and two touchdowns in the second half (excluding non-offensive TDs).
• Iowa State’s defense ranks in the Top 5 nationally in the following categories: passing defense (2nd, 143.2), total defense (3rd, 232.2), yards per play (4th, 4.04), yards per rush (5th, 2.6).
• All-American RB Breece Hall broke ISU’s career rushing TD mark (38) by scoring a pair in the Kansas win.
• Hall owns an active streak of tallying a rushing TD in 17 consecutive games, a Big 12 record and the nation’s fifth-longest FBS streak since 1996.
• QB Brock Purdy became the sixth player in Big 12 history to amass 10,000 passing yards (10,115) and 1,000 rushing yards (1,079) in a career. He owns/shares 29 school records in his career.
LAST TIME OUT
• ISU won its first 2021 Big 12 game and its 13th Big 12 home game in its last 14 tries in a 59-7 win over Kansas on Oct. 2.
• The Cyclones came out firing and never looked back, scoring 28 first-quarter points for the first time in school history.
• ISU’s 59 points scored was the second-most vs. a league foe and its 52-point margin of victory was the third-largest against a conference opponent.
• ISU outgained KU, 564-302. It was the eighth-straight game ISU had more yards than its opponent.
• The victory gave head coach Matt Campbell his 27th conference win, tying Dan McCarney (1995-2006) for the most wins over league opponents in school history.
• QB Brock Purdy tossed a school-record four TD passes in the first quarter and ended the game with 245 passing yards on 17-of-22 attempts.
• Purdy was 5-of-5 for 96 yards and four TDs after the first quarter.
• RB Breece Hall tallied over 100 yards rushing (123) for the third-straight game and rushed for two TDs.
• Hall broke ISU’s school record for career rushing TDs (38) and increased his Big 12-record streak of consecutive games with a rushing TD to 17.
• It was Hall’s 16th multi-TD game in his last 25 games, tying for fifth all-time in Big 12 history.
• WR Xavier Hutchinson tallied seven receptions for 96 yards and a TD.
• DL Enyi Uwazurike tallied a career-high six tackles and blocked a FG that was returned 55 yards and set up an ISU TD.
• Uwazurike is the first Cyclone to have two blocked FGs in a career since Nick Leaders (2002-05).
• DE Zach Petersen had six tackles, 0.5 TFL and recovered a fumble.
CAMPBELL IS ISU’S GREATEST COACH
• Head coach Matt Campbell, a three-time honoree of Big 12 Coach of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020), has turned Iowa State into a winner in his tenure.
• Campbell has a 38-30 overall record for a .558 winning percentage, the best winning percentage by a Cyclone coach since the Big Six was formed (1928) and the third-most wins in school history.
• Campbell began his ISU career with a 1-8 mark and is 37-22 since
• Campbell is the only coach in school history to defeat every team in the league during their tenure and is 27-13 in regular-season conference games in the last 40
games.
• Campbell’s 27 league victories ties for first in school history among Cyclone coaches.
• Campbell owns 27 of ISU’s 71 all-time wins vs. Big 12 teams (38.0 pct.).
• ISU’s Big 12 win season average from 1996-2015 (2.2). ISU’s Big 12 win season average from 2016-20 (5.2).
• Campbell is 14-10 coaching the Cyclones as a ranked team. The 24 games coached as a ranked team is the most in school history.
• First coach in school history to defeat Oklahoma and Texas in the same season (2020).
• Led ISU to a first-place finish in the regular-season Big 12 standings in 2020 at 8-1. It marks the first time in school history ISU ended the conference regular-season in sole possession of first place.
• Has the most Conference Coach of the Year Awards in FBS since 2015 with four: 2015 (MAC-Toledo), 2017, 2018, 2020 (Big 12-Iowa State).
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
• ISU reached a six-game homefield winning streak in its victory over UNI, tying for the fourth-longest string in school history.
• Held its first three opponents to below 100 yards rushing.
• Had an overall streak of four-straight games holding opponents to below 100 yards rushing for the first time since 1944.
• Held first four opponents to below 300 yards of total offense, its first four-game streak of sub-300-yard games of total defense since 1999.
• Limited UNLV to just seven first downs, ISU’s second-fewest since 1996.
• Iowa State’s 48-3 win at UNLV was the largest margin of victory on the road since 1923 and the sixth-largest road victory in school history since 1900.
• Iowa State’s 28 points scored in the first quarter vs. Kansas was the most points scored by a Cyclone team in the first quarter and ties for the third-most
points scored in a quarter overall.
• ISU’s 38 first-half points vs. Kansas ties for the fourth-most scored in a half in school history.
• The Cyclones defeated the Jayhawks, 59-7, the second-most points scored vs. a conference team in school history, and their 52-point margin of victory was the third-largest vs. a conference opponent.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• The Cyclone defense has improved dramatically since 2017 and it continues to shine in 2021.
• ISU has ranked among the Big 12’s top-three in scoring defense since 2017 and currently leads the league and ranks 11th nationally at 15.6.
• Excluding a pair of non-offensive touchdowns allowed, ISU’s scoring defense total is 12.8.
• The Cyclones lead the Big 12 and rank in the top 4 nationally in yards per play (4th, 4.04) and total defense (3rd, 233.2).
• The Cyclones have limited opponents to under 300 yards of total offense 19 times since 2017, including 11 vs. Big 12 teams.
• ISU has allowed just one opponent (Kansas, 302) to record 300 yards of total offense this year.
• ISU ranks 10th nationally in rushing defense (90.0) and fifth in yards per rush (2.60). ISU has allowed just two rushes of over 20 yards this year.
• Ten times in its last 17 games, ISU has held its opponent to below 100 yards rushing.
• Since 2017, ISU has allowed opponents to 2.5 yards per rush or below 16 times.
• ISU is 20-2 when holding opponents to below 100 yards rushing in the Matt Campbell era (2016-21).
• ISU has held 12 opponents in the Matt Campbell era to 2.0 yards per carry or below in a game.
• The Cyclones also lead the Big 12 and rank second nationally in passing defense (143.2).
• In the second half of its last 10 games, ISU has given up just 35 points (excluding defensive TDs), averaging 3.5 points after intermission in that stretch.
• The Cyclones have given up just two second-half offensive touchdowns (Texas in 2020, Kansas in 2021) in their last 10 games.
• ISU opponent second-half scoring (excluding non-offensive TDs) in the last 10 games: Kansas State- 0, Texas- 7, West Virginia- 6, Oklahoma- 3, Oregon0, UNI- 0, Iowa- 6, UNLV- 3, Baylor- 3, Kansas- 7).
• Against Iowa, the ISU defense held the Hawkeyes to 173 yards. Iowa scored 20 of its 27 points off turnovers.
• Against UNLV, the Cyclones held the Rebels to 130 yards and just seven first downs, tying for the second-lowest total since 1996.
• In its last 10 games overall, the Cyclones are allowing 14.8 points (148) and 282.1 yards of total offense (2,821).
• In 57 total drives by the opponents this season, the Cyclones have forced 20 3-and-outs.
• ISU has allowed just 64 first downs, the fewest in the Big 12 and second-fewest nationally.
• ISU opponents are averaging 99.4 yards of total offense (497) after intermission this season.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH
• In the fourth game of the 2017 season, Iowa State made drastic changes in its defense.
• HC Matt Campbell and DC Jon Heacock implemented a 3-3-5 defense vs. Texas in 2017, and the results have been amazing.
• In ISU’s last 53 games, the Cyclones have held 44 opponents to below their season scoring average.
• Since the switch, the Cyclones have also kept 44 opponents below their season total offense average.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Iowa State is third in the Big 12 and seventh nationally in red zone offense, converting on 21-of-22 trips, including 16 touchdowns.
• ISU leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally in fourth down conversions at 85.7 pct. (6-of-7).
• Through the first five games, ISU owns a total offense average margin of +208.8 per game to rank fourth nationally. ISU has outgained all five opponents and had over 100 yards more than its opponent four times.
• The Cyclones have an overall streak of eight-straight games outgaining their opponent.
• Reached 400 yards of total offense in seven of its last 10 games dating back to 2020.
• Averaging 512.0 yards (1,536) and 45.3 points (136) in its last three games.
• ISU leads the nation in fewest penalty yards with 168.
Kansas State Wildcats
K-STATE COMES OUT OF BYE WEEK TO HOST IOWA STATE
Looking to rebound from an 0-2 start to Big 12 play, Kansas State returns to Bill Snyder Family Stadium following its lone bye week of the 2021 season as the Wildcats host Iowa State on Saturday. The game against the Cyclones, which kicks at 6:30 p.m., will be televised by ESPN2 with Clay Matvick (play-byplay), Rocky Boiman (analyst) and Tiff any Blackmon (sidelines) on the call. The game can be heard across the 39-station K-State Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), former K-State quarterback Stan Weber (analyst) and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action. Fans can also catch the game on SiriusXM (S: 132; XM: 200; App: 954) in addition to The Varsity Network app.
A LOOK AT K-STATE
• K-State looks to get into the winning column in Big 12 play after dropping games at Oklahoma State (31-20) and to Oklahoma (37-31), both of which reside in the top 12 in this week’s polls.
• The Wildcats’ two conference opponents, plus its difficult non-conference schedule in which they went 3-0 against, has their strength of schedule ranked fifth in the nation in the current Sagarin Ratings.
• Quarterback Skylar Thompson returned against the Sooners after missing the previous two games due to injury, and he put together one of the best passing performances of his career by setting highs in completions (29) and attempts (41), and tying his high for touchdown passes (3), while he threw for the second-most yards in his career (320).
• Thompson’s favorite receiver against OU was Deuce Vaughn, who hauled in 10 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. It was the second 100-yard receiving game of his career and just the seventh in school history by a running back or fullback.
• This year, Vaughn has totaled 650 scrimmage yards (444 rush/206 receive) and seven scores. In his 15 career games, Vaughn has at least 100 scrimmage yards 10 times – including all fi ve games this year – and he ranks third nationally among active players in career all-purpose yards per game (124.73).
• Vaughn and Thompson have the luxury of playing behind an experienced line that brought back 100% of its starts from last year.
• Receivers Malik Knowles, Phillip Brooks and Landry Weber have combined for 39 receptions for 525 yards and two scores.
• The Wildcats, deploying a new 3-3-5 look and regularly rotating in over 25 players on defense, rank seventh in the nation against the run (86.4 yds/gm) and 16th in sacks (3.2 per game).
• Linebackers Cody Fletcher (32) and Daniel Green (29) lead the team in tackles, and each have three stops behind the line.
• Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah leads the Big 12 and ranks eighth nationally with five sacks on the year.
• The Wildcats have five interceptions as safeties Russ Yeast and TJ Smith each recorded a pick against Stanford, defensive tackle Jaylen Pickle had one against Southern Illinois, cornerback Tee Denson picked off Nevada, and Julius Brents had one against Oklahoma.
• Malik Knowles has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in each of the last two games, and he leads the nation with a 39.3-yard return average.
A K-STATE WIN WOULD…
• Make the Cats 4-2 through the first six games for the second time in Chris Klieman’s three seasons in Manhattan.
• Be the Wildcats’ 26th victory in the last 32 meetings between the two schools dating back to 1990.
• Be its seventh-straight home victory over the Cyclones.
• Make the home team victorious for the fifth-straight time in the series.
• Have the Wildcats avoid going from 3-0 to 3-3 over the first six games of a season for the first time since 2015.
A LONG-STANDING RIVALRY
• This year marks the 105th-consecutive season Kansas State and Iowa State will meet on the gridiron, which is one of the longest uninterrupted series in FBS history.
• The current streak of 104 games ranks eighth among active uninterrupted series.
• Of the top eight uninterrupted series, K-State is involved in two of them (Kansas).
LAST YEAR – CATS DOWNED AT IOWA STATE
AMES, IOWA – No matter the result, K-State has emphasized the importance of sticking together this season. That will be more important than ever for the Wildcats following a 45-0 loss to No. 17 Iowa State.
K-State marched down the field on its opening drive of the game but couldn’t convert a fourth-andgoal against Iowa State. That set the tone for an afternoon when the Cyclones would limit K-State to 149 yards of total offense.
Deuce Vaughn collected 94 yards serving as K-State’s primary kick returner. He was involved in the backfield and as a receiver against Iowa State, but couldn’t replicate his success on special teams.
K-State arrived in Ames without several playmakers on both sides of the football, including a depleted linebacking core that struggled to slow down the Cyclones. Cody Fletcher led K-State with nine tackles, including seven solo efforts against Iowa State.
Will Howard got the start at quarterback for K-State, going 3-for-9 for 32 passing yards.
On the first drive of the afternoon, Howard rushed for 13 yards on four carries and tossed a 29-yard pass to Chabastin Taylor to march the Wildcats deep into Iowa State territory.
But a fourth-down stop gave the Cyclones all the momentum they would need, as K-State was held in check the rest of the game.
Howard would give way to Nick Ast at quarterback in the second half, as the Cimarron native went 6-for-10 for 44 yards in his first extended action of the season.
Vaughn led the Wildcats on the ground with 44 rushing yards, leaving Jack Trice Stadium with 138 total yards after his explosive afternoon on special teams. Taylor led all K-State receivers with 37 yards on a pair of grabs against the Cyclones.
