Recap: WSU Dropped By Oklahoma State Cowboys, 65-17

Stillwater, OK (Sports Network) – Kendall Hunter opened the new season in style as the tailback rushed for 257 yards on 21 carries, leading the Oklahoma State Cowboys to a convincing, 65-17 decision over the Washington State Cougars in a non-conference tussle at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Hunter finished with four touchdowns in the contest for Oklahoma State (1-0), which totaled 544 yards on offense. Brandon Weeden was equally impressive for the Pokes, as the signal caller finished with 218 yards and three scores on 22-of-30 passing. His favorite target was Justin Blackmon, who hauled in all three touchdown passes, while finishing with 125 yards on eight catches.

As for the Cougars (0-1), they were led by quarterback Jeff Tuel, who threw for 212 yards and one touchdown, despite completing just 14-of-29 passes. Marquess Wilson was on the receiving end of Tuel’s touchdown pass and finished the contest with 108 yards on only four receptions.

It took less than a minute for the Cowboys to score in the new season, as Hunter plunged into the end zone on a three-yard run.

Hunter added his second score of the game midway through the opening frame, scampering into the end zone on a nine-yard run.

Oklahoma State’s dominance continued in the first quarter, as Dan Bailey’s 40- yard field goal capped off a 12-play, 57-yard drive.

The Cougars got on the board early in the second stanza when Nico Grasu connected on an amazing, 56-yard field goal.

Washington State continued to claw its way back when Tuel hit Wilson with a 48-yard touchdown pass with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

However, the Cowboys wasted little time with their response, as Weeden hit Blackmon with a 42-yard scoring strike just 62 seconds later.

Weeden and Blackmon hooked up again, this time for a simple one-yard touchdown pass.

A two-yard touchdown run by Hunter on the final play of the second quarter pushed Oklahoma State’s lead to 38-10.

The Pokes continued their success in the second half, as Hunter found the end zone for the fourth time in the contest, this score going for 39 yards, while also pushing OSU’s edge to 45-10.

Weeden and Blackmon’s relationship continued to blossom in the third quarter, as the teammates connected on a third touchdown, this one going for 24 yards midway through the third frame.

After 34 unanswered points by Oklahoma State, the Cougars finally found the end zone when Logwone Mitz plunged across the goal line on a one-yard run.

With the game well in hand the reserves had a chance to get some playing time and Jeremy Smith made the most of it by scoring on a one-yard run late in the final frame.

The special teams got involved in the scoring as well, as Blackmon returned a blocked punt seven yards for a touchdown.

It was the 15th straight home opening win for Oklahoma State, which is a school record.

The 65 points were the most scored by the Pokes since scoring 66 in a victory over Baylor back in 2006.

Kendall Hunter Is Running Free, Having A Career Day

Kendall Hunter has rushed for 257 yards and four touchdowns. OSU and WSU are three minutes into the third quarter. Yep, this is how it’s going.

OSU leads 45-10.

WSU Fullback Jared Byers Leaves Game With Serious Knee Injury

Washington State fullback Jared Byers left the game with a serious knee injury in the second quarter. Byers was hit hard in the flat and immediately grabbed his knee. Replays showed his knee bending awkwardly as he went down.

Oklahoma State Answers, Cougs Down 24-10

Brandon Weeden immediately answered, throwing a deep strike to Justin Blackmon for the score. The Cowboys lead 24-10.

Jeff Tuel Hits Marquess Wilson For A TD, Cougs Trail 17-10

Jeff Tuel and Marquess Wilson hooked up for the Cougars first touchdown of the year, connecting from long range for the score. Tuel floated a ball between the zone, hitting Wilson in stride as he outran the defense for the score.

In the second quarter, Oklahoma State leads 17-10.

WSU On The Board, Trails OSU 17-3

A 56-yard field goal by Nico Grasu put the Cougars on the board early in the second quarter, but they trail 17-3. Oklahoma State has used Kendall Hunter early and often, riding him to two scores and nearly 100 yards in the first quarter.

WSU True Freshman RB Ricky Galvin Fractures Forearm

According to the FSN broadcast, Washington State true freshman running back Ricky Galvin (Richmond, CA) fractured his forearm during the first quarter of Saturday’s game between the Cougars and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Galvin had his arm splinted and was taken for X-rays and further examination.

WSU Gameday: Washington State @ Oklahoma State

DATE & TIME: Saturday, September 4th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218) -- Stillwater, Oklahoma. Television: FSN. Home Record: WSU 0-0, OSU 0-0. Away Record: WSU 0-0, OSU 0-0. Neutral Record: WSU 0-0, OSU 0-0. Conference Record: WSU 0-0, OSU 0-0. Series Record: Washington State leads, 2-1.

GAME NOTES: The Oklahoma State Cowboys kick off a season-opening four-game homestand this weekend, as they welcome the Washington State Cougars to Stillwater for a non-conference clash at Boone Pickens Stadium.

The Cowboys turned in a solid 2009 campaign, but it didn't end so kindly with a 27-0 defeat at rival Oklahoma and a 21-7 loss to Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl. With just a handful of starters back from that 9-4 squad, OSU enters 2010 with something to prove. Sixth-year coach Mike Gundy has turned the program into a consistent winner and despite the significant losses, the Cowboys could still have enough to return to a bowl game. A friendly schedule, which includes four straight home games to start the season, will also help the Cowboys in their quest for another winning campaign.

WSU meanwhile, has yet to get anything going under head coach Paul Wulff, who is just 3-22 after two seasons with the Cougars. Injuries and a lack of talent led to a 1-11 finish in 2009, which included a nine-game losing streak to end the campaign. The healthy return of many players and a cast recruited by Wulff give the Cougars some hope, but they have a lot to prove after being mostly dominated during the last two years.

The Cougars lead the all-time series with the Cowboys by a 2-1 count, but OSU won the most recent meeting, a 39-13 decision in the 2008 season-opener for both squads.

WSU was simply dreadful on offense last season, ranking 119th in the nation in both scoring (12.0 ppg) and total yards (248.6 ypg), so there is nowhere to go but up in 2010. If the Cougars are to complete a major turnaround, they will need quarterback Jeff Tuel to take the next step. Last season, Tuel became only the second true freshman ever to start at quarterback for WSU, throwing for 789 yards with six touchdowns and five picks. He took his lumps and gained valuable experience along the way, and the Cougars are now hoping that pays off this season.

Jared Karstetter and Gino Simone were the top two targets for WSU last season, combining for 74 catches and 870 yards, and their return should only help Tuel be successful.

The ground game, which averaged a pathetic 70.7 ypg a year ago, lacks options however, and needs to be vastly improved to help take some of the pressure off the young gunslinger.

Just like the offense, the defense for WSU abysmal last season and ranked last in the nation by allowing a whopping 512.0 total ypg. The defensive front needs to be better, simply put, after allowing an eye-popping 5.9 yards per carry and 35 rushing touchdowns last season. Sophomore Travis Long (4.5 sacks) and six-year veteran Kevin Kooyman will anchor the end positions, meanwhile, JC transfer Brandon Rankin is expected to start at tackle after a strong spring.

Alex Hoffman-Ellis highlights the returnees at linebacker and he paced the defense with 84 stops a year ago.

After posting 57 stops last season, safety Chima Nwachukwu returns as the most experienced player for a secondary, which will get a boost from three players who missed last year with injuries.

The Cowboys suffered significant losses on offense, so some new faces are needed to step in and produce immediately. Standout quarterback Zac Robinson is one key player that needs to be replaced and OSU is turning to Brandon Weeden to fill those big shoes. The 26-year-old former New York Yankee farmhand rallied the Cowboys in a 31-28 win over Colorado late last season and will now be counted on to produce each week.

The receiving corps lacks star power, but Weeden should get help from a solid ground attack that features a dynamic runner in Kendall Hunter. Slowed by injuries last season, Hunter managed just 382 yards and scored only a single touchdown. The hope is he is able to return to his 2008 form when he produced 1,555 yards and 16 scores, although that may be difficult with only one starter welcomed back along the offensive line.

The OSU defense finally improved some last season, but eight starters are now gone, leaving the Cowboys with a rebuilding project. Up front, both ends are welcomed back in Ugo Chinasa and Jamie Blatnik. The duo combined for eight sacks and will need to do better now that they are being counted on even more.

At linebacker, the Cowboys should receive a nice boost with the return of Orie Lemon, who was awarded a medical redshirt for a torn ACL last season. He is expected to be the leader of this group.

Markelle Martin is the lone holdover in the secondary and he posted 45 stops a year ago.

The Cowboys have a lot of questions to answer and they could find some of those answers this weekend. The Cougars still lack the same kind of talent and that will allow OSU to prevail on its home field this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma State 42, Washington State 20