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ANSAN
Cowboy offense powers through for victory
By Matt Johnson The Daily O'Collegian
STILLWATER, Okla. — As running back Keith Toston fell into the end zone for the Cowboys' final touchdown of the day, quarterback Zac Robinson pumped his fist in triumph and made his way toward the sideline.
The Oklahoma State quarterback donned a white cap and a wide smile knowing his work was done for the day after leading No. 14 Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-0 Big 12) to a 34-7 victory against Baylor (3-4, 0-3 Big 12) on Saturday.
Robinson had one of the most efficient games of his career against the Bears, tossing three touchdown passes and completing 23 of 27 passes.
His 85 percent completion rate broke the school record of 77 percent set by coach Mike Gundy against Kansas in 1989.
Robinson said after the game he has always felt confident against Baylor's defense.
"Every time we play Baylor I always feel good about the game," he said. "The game just slows down. It almost felt like a scrimmage out there today."
Completion percentage isn't the first record Robinson has taken from his coach, and
Gundy said he hopes it isn't the last.
"I hope he breaks them all," Gundy said. "We're very proud of him and obviously he's been a tremendous asset to our program and been a great leader for us this season."
Other members of the offense also contributed in the absence of All-Americans Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant. In the place of Hunter, Toston broke the 100-yard barrier for the second time this year with 109 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts.
Second string running back Beau Johnson took the majority of the carries with 22 on his way to a season-high 93 yards.
All-American offensive lineman Russell Okung said he liked the way Oklahoma State came out and played physically all afternoon.
"We want to work towards being the most physical, dominating unit on the field," he said.
("Toston) was running real hard and he had a lot of tough runs. As an offensive lineman, you appreciate that."
Nine receivers caught passes in Bryant's absence. Receiver Hubert Aniyam continued to be productive, leading the team with 8 catches and 83 yards.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson scrambles out of the pocket during the first half of the Cowboys' game against Baylor last Saturday in Waco, Texas. Robinson completed 23 of 27 passes for a school record 85 percent completion rate.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Offensive performance silences Aggies'critics
By Brad Cox
The Battalion
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The luster of a 52-30 win at Texas Tech had yet to wear off on Monday when Texas A&M coaches and players met with media members at the Bright Football Complex.
"People outside this room might not have believed in us," said senior offensive lineman Michael Shumard. "We knew how hard we had worked, and we knew what we had, and we knew we would get going in the right direction eventually."
Aggie coach Mike Sherman said the offensive line's performance Saturday was one of the best he had seen. The line was one of the most criticized positions during A&M's three-game losing streak as Sherman shuffled players around to find a winning combination.
Shumard has defended the line in the past and called out some of the critics Monday.
"I have friends that don't play football,
and I heard a lot of them talking about 'Oh, we need a miracle' and stuff like that," he said. "They don't know what's been going on."
Despite the negativity and the calls for Sherman's job preceding the game, Aggie fans were more than excited Saturday night when A&M knocked off the Red Raiders in Lubbock for the first time in 16 years.
Few expected to see A&M play the way it did after losing to Kansas State 62-14 the previous week.
"I don't know after watching the K-State game if I would have made that trip out to Lubbock myself," Sherman said.
The Aggie celebration was far from over though. When the team arrived back in College Station later that night, a group of A&M fans were gathered at the Bright Football Complex to congratulate the team.
Baylor falls to 3-4 after loss to Oklahoma State
BAYLOR BEARS
By Stephen Hawkins Associated Press
WACO, Texas — Zac Robinson completed 23 of 27 passes for 250 yards with three touchdowns and No. 14 Oklahoma State stretched its winning streak to five games with a 34-7 victory against Baylor on Saturday.
The Cowboys (6-1, 3-0 Big 12), who have won their last four games without injured running back Kendall Hunter or suspended receiver Dez Bryant, led 10-0 after their first two possessions. They made it 24-0 on Robinson's 19-yard touchdown to Cooper Bassett that capped an 87-yard drive to open the second half.
Baylor (3-4, 0-3), which has a 20-game losing streak to ranked teams, has scored only 24 points in its Big 12 games. The Bears are 1-3 since standout sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin tore a ligament in his right knee a month ago.
Oklahoma State, which plays No. 3 Texas at home next weekend, was again just fine without its top running back and top receiver from last season.
Bobby Reid was 9-of-10 in a game against Baylor three years ago.
Keith Toston ran for 109 yards and a 1-yard touchdown on 15 carries, and Beau Johnson added 93 yards on 22 carries.
The Cowboys led 10-0 after the 22-yard touchdown catch by Wilson Youman, who grabbed the ball with both hands and bobbled it briefly before pulling it in and holding on when he was popped by safety Jordan Lake.
David Gettis' 17-yard touchdown catch with 7:17 left kept Oklahoma State from getting its first shutout in a Big 12 game since 2001.
Baylor, wearing all-gold uniforms for homecoming, was then in good shape after Terrance Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 44 yards. But freshman Nick Florence, who started instead of senior Blake Szymanski, threw an interception on the next play.
Things don't get any easier for the Bears, whose next three games are against Nebraska, Missouri and Texas — a trio they are a combined 1-26 against in Big 12 play.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE OCTOBER 30,2009