Stout OSU defense a highlight in win over Kansas State

It isn't often that you can say an Oklahoma State, or any Big 12 defense was the highlight of a game

STILLWATER -- Just like the preview says above, it isn't often that we get to talk about an Oklahoma State defense as the focal point of a win in a very positive manner.

I understand that Chuba Hubbard rushed for 296 yards, the sixth most rushing yards in a game in OSU history, but he's expected to perform at a high level game in and game out. Plus, I'll be writing an article on him today as well, so don't worry.

But the Oklahoma State defense play just about as well as anyone could've asked them to for an entire four quarters Saturday night against Kansas State and it wasn't an easy task.

There were a few things that were a little worrisome. First, and probably more importantly, Kansas State entered Saturday's game with the No. 7 ranked rushing offense in the FBS with 280 yards per game. Oklahoma State held them to just 126 yards on 32 carries.

"It's just one game, but it shows the players they can deal with physical running and tackling," said defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. "It seems like every week in college football, you're getting a different kind of offense. So, to make that adjustment quick, it gives them a lot of confidence."

Then there was the weather delay that last an hour and 12 minutes. Before the delay, Oklahoma State had held K-State to just one first down and less than 100 yards of offense.

After the delay? Not a problem as OSU came out and picked up where they left off. For the game, the Cowboys held Kansas State to just 244 yards of total offense. To put that into perspective, that's 52 less yards than Chuba Hubbard had on the ground.

K-State was also limited to just 13 first downs, 1-of-13 on third down conversions and they had just one less minute of possession time than Oklahoma State. So, the Cowboy defense really rose to the occasion.

"We just had to come together as a whole unit and everybody do their job," said linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga. "That's the kind of game it was, Kansas State is a disciplined team and you just have to out-discipline them and out-tough them. I'm so proud of how everybody played, you know from the safeties and everybody on the front. They were holding their own the whole game and I'm just proud of everybody and how we came together today."

We're into the heart of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' second year of this scheme and it seems that things are starting to pay off. However, they'll be facing a totally different offensive game plan this coming week as the Pokes travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech.