Bedlam Classic

 by: Jason Waganer

Even though the Oklahoma State Cowboys lost the 2000 bedlam football game, they didn't lose any bragging rights. 

The Cowboys can brag that they were the first team to hold a Bob Stoops coached team to only one touchdown. They can brag that they played OU as close as any team so far this year. And, most importantly, they might be able to brag that they kept OU from getting its fourth Heisman Trophy winner.

OU Senior Quarterback Josh Heupel easily played his worst game as a Sooner. Heupel completed only 19 of 36 passes for 154 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown. The Cowboys defense was the reason for his poor play. The performance might cost Heupel in his race for the Heisman with Florida State QB Chris Weinke.

The Sooners offense overall was confused with the defense the Cowboys ran. OU Offensive Coordinator Mark Mangino said he's never seen the type of defense OSU ran in 21 years of coaching. 

The Cowboys dropped seven, eight and sometimes nine men into pass coverage. By the second half, all Heupel could do was hand the ball off to Quentin Griffin or toss him a shovel pass. Everything else was either overthrown or dropped by wide receivers.

OU Head Coach Bob Stoops said the Cowboys defense was near perfect. 

"You guys did a heckuva job," Stoops told OSU Defensive Coordinator Mike Cassity. "Great plan."

However, Stoops said the Cowboys defensive plan was not that much different than what Kansas State, Nebraska and Texas A&M did. The Cowboys just did it better.

On offense, the Cowboys  played well, but could only get into the end zone once against OU's staunch defense. OSU Redshirt Freshman QB Aso Pogi was 9-20 for 102 yards and two interceptions. Pogi, however, improved as the game wore on hitting several clutch passes on third downs.

OSU running backs Reggie White and Tatum Bell rushed 38 times for 173 yards, which included a 60 yard touchdown run by Bell.