OSU Hangs on to Beat the Golden Hurricanes in OSU Season Opener

by Justin Waganer

September 9, 2000

Keith Burns let his mouth do the talking and let Reggie White do the walking.  After proclaiming that his program would surpass the Cowboy program earlier this year, Burns' Hurricane lost a game that was as hyped as this series had seen in years. 

Josh Blankenship struggled early with two first quarter fumbles that led to OSU touchdowns, yet ended up going 28-49 with 373 yards and two touchdowns.  

However, the Cowboys used the legs of long overdue starter Reggie White at tailback to beat the 'Canes.  White had 25 carries for 187 yards and a touchdown with 50 yards coming late when the Cowboys clinched the game with a 32 yard field goal.

"Reggie carried the team," said OSU coach Bob Simmons. "We thought going in that we would be able to run the ball. We're a little bit larger than they are. I thought Reggie did a great job and I thought our offensive line did a great job."

Tony Lindsay went 11-20 for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Cowboys first win at Skelly Stadium in the last three meetings.  Tulsa beat Oklahoma State in total yardage 435-413 but couldn't overcome the early turnovers from Blankenship that made O-State have a 21-0 lead with about 3 minutes left in the first quarter.

Oklahoma State jumped out 7-0 on a 35 yard run by Reggie White then turned two Blankenship turnovers into two Lindsay to Young TD passes of 18 &34 yards to make it 21-0.

Tulsa then put together a touchdown, two field goals, and another touchdown to make it 21-19.  Tulsa then went for two and had the conversion pass intercepted and returned 100 yards by Elbert Craig to make the score 23-19.  OSU scored once more and led 30-19 at halftime.

Oklahoma State had a rough time offensively in the second half and Tulsa was down 36-26 when they were intercepted late, deep inside Cowboy territory. 

The Cowboys go to 1-0 with the 36-26 victory and Tulsa drops to 0-2.