Anatomy of a Play That Helps Win a Game, Lift a Player to Conference Honors, and More

STILLWATER – At Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy’s weekly news conference on Monday, Oct. 18 there was more talk about defense and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles than normal. That is actually becoming more normal, and Pokes Report is very well aware thanks to defensive end Brock Martin that Knowles and Oklahoma State are negotiating on a new contract for the defensive coordinator. It is a good time for it as Oklahoma State is 19th in total defense in Division I allowing 307.2-yards a game, 16th in rushing defense (98.8-yards per game) and ninth in third down conversions allowed (.333). Knowles’ defense played the heavy role in the 32-24 win over Texas including the most important play of the game, a pick six in the second quarter by, according to Voice of the Cowboys Dave Hunziker, “the human playmaker,” Jason Taylor II.

Pokes Report

Jim Knowles’ feel during a game is very good right now.

“It started with the play call where Jim had a feel for what he thought was going to happen,” Gundy said. “He called the coverage where he drops down and Jason (Taylor II) did a good job of disguising it.”

He sure did as the secondary rolled out looking like they were in cover four or quarters, with four deep players across the back end of the defense, but Taylor rolled up toward the line of scrimmage and sat on the hash. If Knowles thought it was going to be a slant on the third and 10 situation then he was a big winner. Taylor waited until right as Texas quarterback Casey Thompson was taking the snap.

“It’s the disadvantage of college football of being in the shotgun all the time where NFL teams are under center where the quarterback’s eyes are always on the defense,” Gundy said almost sounding like he felt sorry for the quarterback with his liability of being in the shotgun.

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Here is Jason Taylor II running through the pass.

It did work perfect and while Thompson couldn’t see it until it was too late there were plenty of fans watching that got a great seat on the development. There were plenty of Oklahoma State fans that were celebrating the touchdown almost before the interception was made.

“Obviously, he didn’t see him,” Gundy stated. “(Jason) dropped down and that is one of those ones you throw, and you wish you had a string on it because you can see it and halfway there you know it’s no good and you wish you could have it back. I’ve done it, I know it, and that’s a bad feeling. It was a very well executed scheme, and it was the right play call at the right time. It was the biggest play in the game without question.”

Jason Taylor II with his seven tackles to go along with his pick six was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Knowles continues with what has been an all-timer of the season defensively for Oklahoma State, one that should make him a prime candidate for the Frank Broyles Award for top college football assistant. It also should make him a candidate for a lot of jobs, maybe even a head coaching job. Knowles had that title once before at his alma mater at Cornell University.

Gundy is glad he found out about him when he was defensive coordinator for David Cutcliffe at Duke.  

“I think there was a little mad scientist to him, kind of like Dexter’s Laboratory, have you all ever seen that television show, your kids ever watch it? There was a side of that to him,” Gundy said admitting that he never knew Knowles was an Ivy League grad until he moved into Stillwater. “He thought his concept and schemes, based on what he’s done in 30-years in coaching, would work anywhere he went, and it didn’t matter. I think he realized in the first year, year and a half that wasn’t going to work in this league when we had all those NFL quarterbacks. He has transitioned to some different concepts that he feels give us the best chance to have success.”

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Martin (9) and Taylor II (25) celebrate.

Many in fact; a lot that he wasn’t using when he walked in the door. One he really loves to use, and it was activated late in the game Saturday in the 32-24 win over the Longhorns has defensive end Brock Martin being given his freedom to roam and attack he backfield in full force. It was that scheme that helped end Texas second to last series where they turned it over on downs.

Knowles has all kinds of surprises, and he is working his act as Oklahoma State defensive coordinator with some excellent timing these days. Combine that with the “mad scientist” approach and things should only get better. For Oklahoma State, the players, the fans, and eventually for Knowles with a new contract.