Stoner and Richardson Make Life Easy For Cowboys As Each Turn In Hat Trick Performances
Well, I’m not sure this game could even be called a game. It was more of a domination.
From the second play of scrimmage, the Cowboys imposed their will against the Baylor Bears, not only defense, but offense too, something we have not seen much of this year from Spencer Sanders and crew.
If you were to tell me pre game this would be one of the Cowboys best offensive performances of the season, I would have questioned you big time. We learned about two hours before kickoff that Tylan Wallace, Chuba Hubbard, and LD Brown would be absent from this one.
We knew Dez Jackson was capable of handling the rushing duties heading into the game but it was still a big question mark of who would step up for the Cowboys offense. Well, it was not long before we found our answer. This was a game of hat tricks. A pair of them actually.
Redshirt senior Dillon Stoner and true freshman Dominic Richardson came up big for the Cowboys, both accounting for three touchdowns each in career days.
Dillon Stoner caught eight passes for a whopping 247 yards and the three touchdowns. Dom Richardson got a career high 23 carries for 169 yards and the three touchdowns of his own.
“Dillon’s been a really good player, been solid player and reliable for a number of years,” Gundy said of wide receiver Dillon Stoner. “With Tylan [Wallace] not available, it’s good that he could step up and make some big plays. Obviously, he made a big play early in the game that kind of got things going for us offensively. So, he’s a guy that’s been around a long time and we’re appreciative of what he’s done for this program.”
“I'm just happy for the kid, it's a huge day for him, said offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn. “For him to end [his career] like this, it’s a dream come true for him and me.”
Stoner reiterated that message when he spoke about his phenominal day. "This was super special for a lot of reasons. For me to have a day like this in my last game is special for me."
When talking about Dom Richardson, Dunn said it was something that he “loved to see”. He added that he feels great about next year's “1-2 punch” of Richardson and Dez Jackson.
Dillon Stoner’s career day of 247 yards marks the 3rd best performance in Oklahoma State Football program history. He is only behind only Adarius Bowman (300) and James Washington (296).
Dom Richardson also put himself in the history books as his 169 yards marks the second most ever by an Oklahoma State true freshman, trailing only Thurman Thomas.
It is interesting to see that Biletnikoff finalist and likely 2x Biletnikoff finalist Tylan Wallace is not on this list. As dominant and explosive as he has been, it is Dillon Stoner that finds himself in the history books.
Like Kasey Dunn, Mike Gundy said after the game that the running backs room is in good hands with Dom Richardson and Dez Jackson moving forward. He added that with the COVID eligbility rules, he believes they will have Dom Richardson for 5 more years and Dez Jackson for 2-3 years. That is if they do not leave early for the NFL Draft one day, which is also very possible, if not likely.
The 2020 season has shown us a lot of ups and downs, but if there is one thing it is has certainly showed us, it is that the future is bright for Gundy and Co.