Magnificent 11
by: BILL HAISTEN Tulsa World Sports Writer
Thursday, December 30, 2010
12/30/2010 8:43:00 AM
SAN ANTONIO - It wasn't the statistical fireworks show that was typical during Oklahoma State's only season with Dana Holgorsen as offensive coordinator, but the Cowboys closed 2010 by achieving a milestone.
All-American wide receiver Justin Blackmon had a 71-yard touchdown catch, strong safety Markelle Martin scored on a 62-yard interception return and Groza Award recipient Dan Bailey booted three field goals - all from 40 yards or longer - as the 16th-ranked Cowboys conquered Arizona 36-10 in Wednesday's Alamo Bowl.
The Alamodome crowd of 57,953 saw Oklahoma State reach the 11-win mark for the first time in school history.
During the preseason, the Cowboys were picked to finish fifth in the six-team Big 12 South. Instead, they captured a share of the title.
"I can't (overstate) the importance of what this senior class accomplished," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said.
With a four-year total of 36 wins, these OSU seniors are the most successful class in program history.
"This is pretty special," said Cowboy quarterback Brandon Weeden, who passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona. Redshirt freshman running back Jeremy Smith also scored on a 6-yard run as the 11-2 Cowboys ended a two-game losing streak in bowls.
OSU prevailed for the first time in three Alamo Bowl appearances.
Former Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, ending his seventh season as the Arizona head coach, watched his Wildcats (7-6) stumble to their fifth consecutive defeat.
Blackmon, whose pregame status had been uncertain because of an ankle sprain sustained in November, also had a 3-yard TD reception during the third quarter. He was voted the Alamo Bowl's offensive MVP. The defensive award went to Martin.
Last season's Cotton Bowl is regarded as perhaps Martin's best performance. Apparently, he likes bowl games. With 12:33 remaining in Wednesday's first half, he picked off a Nick Foles pass and raced down Arizona's sideline for the touchdown.
OSU's third-down defense was deficient, but the Cowboys did intercept Foles three times. In addition to Martin's big play, Cowboy free safety Johnny Thomas had an interception near the goal line and linebacker James Thomas had one near midfield.
"Turnovers certainly were a big part of it," Stoops said. "... We'll retool and regroup and bounce back. Tomorrow, I'll be excited about the future."
The Cowboys made their eighth bowl appearance in nine seasons and their fifth consecutive bowl appearance with Gundy as the head coach.
Having a month between games resulted in rust for the Cowboys' offense, which entered with national rankings of No. 1 in total offense, No. 2 in passing and No. 3 in scoring.
OSU was held under the 400-yard mark in total offense for only the third time this season. The Cowboys had 351 yards against Texas A&M, 379 against Oklahoma and a season-low 312 against Arizona.
Before the Alamo Bowl, OSU averaged 538 total yards per game. In his final game as a Cowboy, running back Kendall Hunter was limited to 32 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
Hunter dwelled not on his tough night, but on the unprecedented 11th victory for the Cowboys.
"It's the greatest feeling as a senior to make history and set a standard for the younger players," said Hunter, a two-time All-American.
With nine catches for 117 yards, Blackmon became the first player in major-college football history to have at least 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown catch in 12 consecutive games.
For the season, Blackmon has 20 touchdown receptions, breaking Dez Bryant's 2008 school record of 19. Also, with a season total of 1,782 receiving yards, Blackmon has the distinction of being the most prolific sophomore pass-catcher in college football history.
After recovering a first-quarter punt that was muffed by Arizona's William Wright, OSU struck for a quick Smith touchdown. The Cowboys followed with Blackmon's 71-yard TD and a 14-0 lead.
Arizona countered with a 63-yard drive, capped by Juron Criner's 5-yard TD reception. In 54 game minutes after the Criner touchdown, the Wildcats mustered only one more score - an Alex Zendejas field goal in the third period.
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