Spring Break
OSU presents tough challenge
By: Shawn Millender
Issue date: 9/6/04 Section: Sports
In the past few years, it seems like few teams have had Texas A&M's number on the football field. It also seems like all those teams have had the words "Tech" or "State" on their jerseys.
The Aggies haven't bested the Oklahoma State Cowboys since 2001. In 2002, an untimely Dustin Long interception sealed a 28-23 Cowboys victory. In 2003, OSU steamrolled the downtrodden Aggies 38-10 after a 196-yard, three-touchdown effort by tailback Tatum Bell.
With Tatum Bell's 1,240 yards and 15 touchdowns and Rashuan Woods' 1,367 yards and 15 touchdowns no longer patrolling Boone Pickens Stadium, and Josh Fields and his 129.8 passer rating testing the waters of the Chicago White Sox minor league system, the Cowboys' high-octane offense is in dire need of an overhaul for the 2004 season.
Fields' prospective replacement, blue-chip freshman Bobby Reid, is out of commission after an off-season shoulder surgery. This leaves redshirt freshman Donovan Woods, brother of Rashaun, to throw to yet another Woods in brother and sophomore receiver D'Juan.
"I think that D'Juan Woods is making a case for being a special wide receiver," said head coach Les Miles. "Chijuan Mack and a number of young guys on the other side are talented. I think we will field a very good and young wide receiver corps. As quarterback, Donovan knows what we expect from him. He is getting better every day. Certainly he gets better with experience."
Tight end Brandon Pettigrew figures to push incumbent senior Billy Bajema for playing time.
In his wake, Bell leaves an uncertain situation in the backfield. Junior Vernand Morency and senior Seymore Shaw have big shoes to fill.
"We are going to be good at tailback with Morency and Shaw," Miles said. "Shawn Willis will be a big, powerful fullback. Our skill positions are solid, but young."
The offensive line also returns four starters from a solid unit.
Defensively, the Cowboys welcome back preseason All-Big 12 defensive back Darrent Williams, along with five other starters from the 2003 team.
Most of the linebacker corps returns, including junior Paul Duren, who has already led the team in tackles twice.
If the young front seven can put any sort of pressure on the quarterback, it may be a banner year for the defense.
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