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Pokes Knock Off Demons by Justin Waganer Senior Sports Writer September 30, 2001
Oklahoma State improved to 2-0 at home and 2-2 overall Saturday night with a 24-0 shutout of Northwestern State (La.) in Stillwater. The Demons replaced the canceled Northern Arizona game, canceled due to the September 11th terrorist attacks on America. The Pokes were led by Aso Pogi who went 18-23 for 195 yards and two passing touchdowns while running for one yard and one touchdown.
The Cowboys out-gained the undermanned Demons 328-185 with speed and the used of go-to receiver Rashaun Woods. Woods had a career night with 10 receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, while Tatum Bell was only able to muster 65 yards on 22 carries.
Pogi complemented Woods after the game, "Rashaun is playing well. He is a perfectionist and wants to get after it every Saturday. He is off to a good start. I am happy for him, but more so, I am happy for the Oklahoma State football team to get this "W" today."
A much needed W for Oklahoma State in a game that worried some fans after the Demons pulled off the upset of TCU last week in overtime. After the scheduling changes this may be better for Oklahoma State, they now head back into conference play on a win, on a shutout win at home. OSU knew this needed to be done.
"It was something that had to happen for this football team to progress and get ready for the Big 12 conference. We had to have another win at home. It evens the score. We have Missouri coming in, and it was what we needed to have happen. The defense played another fine football game. Special teams helped a ton, and the offense finally came and contributed. We're on track from that vantage point. We have to eliminate some of the penalties and the sloppy play early," said Cowboy Coach Les Miles after his team improved to 2-2.
In front of an announced crowd of 36, 110 the Cowboys started slow again, not scoring until 5:47 remained in the second quarter and took a 14-0 lead into the halftime locker room. The Oklahoma State defense shut down NWSU quarterback Craig Nall, holding him to just 67 yards on 10 of 25 passing with one interception.
"We did a great job hitting him. We disrupted his receivers. We got him off and made him think on the field," said OSU star linebacker Dwayne Levels after the win. Levels was also excited about the shutout recorded by the defense. "That is something we strive to do every game. That is something we expect to do."
What seemed to be the biggest question mark heading into the season was the defense, it now seems to be the strongest part of the Poke squad. The defense gave up one complete touchdown drive to Texas A&M (one was a ten yard drive after an interception and one was off a blocked punt), one touchdown to Southern Mississippi, and now this shutout. Give defensive coordinator Bill Clay credit, Demon Coach Steve Roberts did.
"Their secondary did a great job. You have to give Coach Bill Clay a lot of credit. They do a tremendous job and we knew that coming in. We thought we had some things that might give us more of an opportunity, but we were unable to get that really going," said Roberts.
Oklahoma State plays at home next week against the Missouri Tigers. The game is tentatively set for 7:00 at Lewis Field in Stillwater, there are currently no television plans for the game.
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