Oct 28, 2003

By JOEL ANDERSON
Associated Press Writer

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - It was difficult enough trying to slow Oklahoma State's prolific pass-catch combo of Josh Fields and Rashaun Woods the past two seasons.

Now, Oklahoma has to worry about Tatum Bell, too.

The emergence of Bell, the nation's second-leading rusher, gives the top-ranked Sooners (8-0) yet another reason to fret as they prepare for Saturday's intrastate showdown against 14th-ranked Oklahoma State (7-1).

Sooners Look to End String Of Poor Performances Against Cowboys

Oklahoma's vaunted defense has intimidated and dominated most teams over the last two seasons. Oklahoma State has been the exception. The 14th-ranked Cowboys look to make it three straight wins over the top-ranked Sooners as the rivals square off in Norman on Saturday. Both teams are leaders in the race for the Big 12 crown, and Oklahoma State (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) isn't willing to concede a spot to Oklahoma (8-0, 4-0) in the Bowl Championship Series just yet. "I honestly believe we're both playing for the same thing," Cowboys receiver Rashaun Woods said. Oklahoma leads the 97-game series by a 74-16-7 margin, but the Cowboys have seized control of the matchup. Oklahoma State has won five of the last eight games, including victories the past two seasons that have jump-started coach Les Miles' resurgent program. The Cowboys' 16-13 win in 2001 cost Oklahoma a trip to the Big 12 title game, where a victory would have sent the Sooners to the national title game. In 2002, Oklahoma State led throughout in a 38-28 romp that sent the Cowboys to their first bowl game since 1997. The assumption that Oklahoma will roll to the Big 12 title isn't necessarily the correct one, according to Miles. "The two teams that will play this Saturday - one may be the best team in college football and the other one is a darned good football team," he said. "This game will be played to determine which one is which." The Cowboys' offense, led by Woods and quarterback Josh Fields, has left its mark all over Oklahoma in consecutive victories. Woods leads the Big 12 in receiving yards (913) and touchdowns (11). And the 6-foot-2 senior seems to have a knack for exposing every single-coverage mistake the Sooners make. In 2001, the duo hooked up for eight receptions for 129 yards and the game-winning score. Last season Fields and Woods connected for three touchdowns and a school-record 226 yards on 12 catches as the Cowboys came away with a 10-point victory. Oklahoma boasts the nation's fifth-ranked defense and is looking to mount more resistance this time. The Sooners have 20 sacks in the past four games, have not allowed a touchdown longer than 27 yards this season and have their best defensive player, lineman Tommie Harris, at full strength. "(Last year) I was out-of-whack. I was barely moving," said Harris, who battled through a nagging groin injury much of last season. "I couldn't tell you what happened in the backfield because I wasn't ever back there." One thing Oklahoma has this year that it hasn't always had in years past is a prolific offense. The Sooners are averaging 44.3 points per game, second in the nation. Jason White has completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 2,288 yards and 25 touchdowns to make a strong case for the Heisman Trophy. White is just the second Oklahoma quarterback to throw for at least 25 touchdowns over the first eight games. Josh Heupel also did it in 1999. - Associated Press

"We know the task we have ahead," Sooners defensive tackle Tommie Harris said. "We want another shot at them."

That's because Oklahoma State has had its way with the Sooners' vaunted defense the past two years. The Cowboys' offense, led by Fields and Woods, has left its mark all over Oklahoma in consecutive victories.

In 2001, the duo hooked up for eight receptions for 129 yards and the game-winning score in Oklahoma State's 16-13 upset win.

They outdid themselves against the Sooners last year.

Fields and Woods connected for three touchdowns and a school-record 226 yards on 12 catches as the Cowboys romped 38-28.

"Everything seemed to work the way we wanted it to," Woods said.

Bell, then a relative unknown, tacked on 106 yards rushing as the Sooners' defense suffered through a humiliating afternoon.

"It was as bad as we could possibly play," Oklahoma linebacker Teddy Lehman said. "We were on our heels the whole game. We couldn't do anything right."

The Sooners' task will be tougher this year.

Bell has become the focus of Oklahoma State's offense this season, even though Woods and Fields have been as effective as last season. The senior tailback is averaging 135.1 yards rushing, an impressive number considering he had just two carries in a win over Louisiana-Lafayette after being benched for an early fumble.

"Tatum Bell is a heck of a player," Harris said. "We know what type of guy he is if you let him loose."

Even if the Sooners stuff Bell, they still have to contend with Woods.

Woods leads the Big 12 in receiving yards (913) and touchdowns (11). And the 6-foot-2 senior seems to have a knack for exposing every single-coverage mistake the Sooners make.

"Anytime someone gets something like that against you and doesn't really earn it, it kills you," Lehman said. "It's miserable for all of us."

Oklahoma, boasting the nation's fifth-ranked defense, will likely mount a much better challenge this time.

The Sooners have 20 sacks in the past four games, have not allowed a touchdown longer than 27 yards this season and have their best defensive player - Harris - at full strength.

"(Last year) I was out-of-whack. I was barely moving," said Harris, who battled through a nagging groin injury much of last season. "I couldn't tell you what happened in the backfield because I wasn't ever back there."

Harris plans to be back there this time.

"I haven't beat them in two years," said Harris, a junior. "Hopefully, after the game, we'll have their respect."