Oklahoma State's Xavier Benson and Co. Dominate in Bedlam Win
STILLWATER, Okla.— As the old saying goes, “Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships.” For this “championship” Bedlam matchup between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, the defense made all the difference.
Both the OSU and OU offenses have been electric this season. In a 27-24 win for OSU and with talk of having a potential Heisman trophy winner on each team, there is no shortage of talent. With that being said, something had to give one team an advantage over the other.
For the Cowboys, this advantage came from their defense. OSU won the turnover battle, had massive stops when it mattered most and figured out how to slow down an electric offense.
It all started with the Xavier Benson fumble recovery in the first quarter, and the Cowboy defense didn’t slow down from there. After the forced fumble and recovery, the defense recorded an interception and another fumble recovery.
After his impressive performance against the Sooners, Benson received Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.
To start the second half, freshman cornerback Dylan Smith intercepted OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s pass and gave the momentum right back to the Cowboys. Smith had arguably the toughest matchup of the night with receiver Drake Stoops but handled it confidently and successfully.
Smith also made a game-winning play with 1:01 left in the game when he broke up a pass intended for Stoops that, if completed, would have set the Sooners up for a victory formation.
Kody Walterscheid deserves some credit, too. Walterscheid came up with a fumble on the Oklahoma 19-yard line with only 7:52 left in the game. After the fumble recovery, kicker Alex Hale made a 34-yard field goal to put the Cowboys up 27-21 late in the game.
The Cowboy defense has become a cornerstone for the team’s success. Players such as Nick Martin and Collin Oliver have also been integral leaders for the younger players stepping into significant roles. Martin led the team in tackles again with nine, while Oliver had four.
The Cowboy defense will face a tough opponent in Orlando on Saturday against the UCF Knights. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and receiver Javon Baker will put up a fight against the Pokes, but with the way the defense has played, the Knights may not get very far.