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Arizona-Oklahoma State game blog: Running game is ‘our nemesis,’ Stoops says

OSU running back Joseph Randle scores during the first quarter. Photo by Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

Postscript: The loss at Oklahoma State left coach Mike Stoops lamenting the lack of a running game. The Wildcats rushed 21 times for 41 yards.

Run blocking has been the thing that hasn’t come around for this young, all-new offensive line, so the struggles aren’t unexpected. Stoops has been the one to talk about throwing 50 to 60 times a game, and you could make the case that Arizona too much vs. the Cowboys.

Specifically, I’m thinking of the scenario late in the first half when Arizona sent Keola Antolin up the middle twice after having second-and-6 at the OSU 8. UA eventually turned the ball over on downs.

It would be nice to have a running game — like Oklahoma State has — but the Cowboys, unlike Arizona, have a veteran offensive line. If the Cats are going to commit to the passing game, then play to that strength.

“Our inability to run the football seems to be our nemesis right now,” Stoops said. “Until we run the football better, we’re going to struggle.”

* * *

Game over. Oklahoma State wins 37-14.

It’s more of the same after last season’s Alamo Bowl, which OSU won 36-10 over Arizona.

“We knew going in this was a better team than a year ago,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said.

The teams will meet again in Tucson next season.

* * *

Arizona is still passing with one minute to play, and quarterback Nick Foles takes a shot to his left knee. He stays in the game, but what’s the point? Either put in someone else, or run the ball.

* * *

Oklahoma State grinds out a drive and kicks a 19-yard field goal for 37-14 lead with 3:03 to play.

* * *

Both quarterbacks were good tonight directing spread offenses. The difference is that Oklahoma State had a running game, too.

* * *

Texas transfer Dan Buckner gets his first touchdown as an Arizona Wildcat, hauling in a 54-yard pass from Foles down the right sideline with 10:03 to play. UA trails 34-14.

* * *

Tweets Ralph Russo of the Associated Press: “It’s as if the Alamo Bowl never ended. A never ending Alamo Bowl, by the way, is a ring of hell.”

At least it is for Arizona fans.

* * *

Time to move on to next week. Oklahoma State converts a big play on third-and-5 from its 32-yard line as Brandon Weeden lofts a pass over the middle to wide-open running back Joseph Randle, who races 62 yards to the 6. The Cowboys score one play later to make it 34-7 with 12:32 to go.

* * *

Pffft. Arizona fails to convert again. The Cats stall at the OSU 33, where they face fourth-and-10 with 13:46 left. The Cowboys decide to rush only three linemen, but Nick Foles is still flushed from the pocket. He steps up and tries to run for it, only to be stopped several yards short.

* * *

End of third quarter. Anyone for a miracle comeback?

* * *

Arizona can’t say it hasn’t had chances to get back into the game, but it might not be able to say that much longer. Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon scores on a 9-yard fade pass to the right corner of the end zone, beating Shaquille Richardson, just as Blackmon did in the first half.

Okie State leads 27-7 with 30 seconds left in the third quarter (yes, OSU missed the PAT … it happens).

* * *

Arizona’s offense deconstructs, with an illegal substitution penalty and a false start deep in its own territory.

UA has to punt from its 2, which it does successfully, but UA is penalized for lining up illegally, allowing OSU to start its drive 5 yards at the Arizona 38.

* * *

Cats’ defense stalls OSU’s momentum, with safety Mark Watley intercepting a poorly-thrown pass from Brandon Weeden at the Arizona 5. Arizona is one drive, one big play, from being in this game. Go figure.

* * *

Ouch. Oklahoma State converts a fourth down with a fake punt as punter Quinn Sharp takes off around right end for a 24-yard gain. It was fourth-and-5 at the OSU 34. Momentum killer.

* * *

Keola Antolin pushes in for a 1-yard touchdown run to close within 21-7 with 7:38 to play in the third quarter. Redshirt freshman Austin Hill has come up big, with seven catches for 81 yards, starting in place of Juron Criner.

This could be the part of the game where Oklahoma State hits the accelerator again, but a defensive stop would give the Wildcats a reasonable chance.

* * *

That’s four consecutive stops for the Arizona defense. Now, where is the UA offense? Ka’Deem Carey, where are you?

* * *

Arizona has to punt on its first possession of the second half. At least the Cats tried to take a shot down field, although Dan Buckner couldn’t come down with the jump ball. Yes, Juron Criner would have had it.

* * *

OSU QB Brandon Weeden is 28 of 32 for 240 yards. Nick Foles is 18 of 23 for 162 yards.

* * *

Crazy stat: Arizona has allowed its first two opponents to complete 44 of 49 passes for 385 yards in the first half.

* * *

Oklahoma State fails to convert Arizona’s fumble into points, as Quinn Sharp misses a 42-yard field goal on the last play of the half. OSU leads 21-0 at halftime.

* * *

Tweets Scott Terrell of the TucsonCitizen.com Sports Network: “I hope Juron Criner isn’t watching this. He might burst another organ.”

* * *

This is the way the game is going for Arizona: The Cats, trying to stay in touch in the first half, miss a chance to score a touchdown when they turn the ball over on downs at the 5. Then, driving again, WR Austin Hall fumbles after a catch at the OSU 32 with 1:05 to play.

Given that Arizona gets the ball first in the second half, just one touchdown on either possession could have kept it remotely interesting.

* * *

I like the decision to go for it on fourth-and-3 from the OSU 5, but Nick Foles can’t convert over the middle on a throw to David Douglas. The problem was that Arizona had second-and-6 and then ran Keola Antolin up the middle two times for a total of 3 yards.

And, of course, it doesn’t help that touchdown-maker Juron Criner is in Tucson.

* * *

Arizona makes its first stop of the night, thanks to a stumble from Brandon Weeden, who tackled himself, and a penalty on OSU.

* * *

Arizona had fourth-and-less-than-a-yard at its 29, down 21-0, having shown no ability to stop OSU. What’s the harm in going for it? Mike Stoops punts instead … and UA commits two penalties on the punt.

* * *

Tweets former Arizona wide receiver Mike Thomas: “Wildcats taking a beatin #thrashing”

To the point and accurate.

* * *

Tweets former Arizona softball ace Taryne Mowatt: “Well, this game sucks so far… Good thing there’s a lot of game left and our uniforms are awesome”

* * *

Are you changing the channel yet? Another touchdown for Oklahoma State. That is now touchdown drives of 88, 80 and 70 yards. And there is still 13:30 to go in the second quarter as the Cowboys lead 21-0.

* * *

Wow: 216 yards for OSU in opening quarter.

* * *

End of first quarter. Oklahoma State on the move again, leading 14-0. The worst thing I saw in the first quarter: Cornerback Shaquille Richardson posing and flexing after a big hit to stop Justin Blackmon. You’re down 14-0, having a second consecutive bad game … just get back to the huddle, Shaq.

* * *

Arizona receiver Juron Criner has an excuse for not showing up tonight. What about the Arizona defense?

The Cats have allowed touchdown drives of 80 and 88 yards as Oklahoma State has taken a 14-0 lead with 2:54 to play in the first quarter. Looking like the Alamo Bowl all over again?

CB Shaquille Richardson can’t stay with Justin Blackmon, who catches a 3-yard touchdown pass on a fade pass into the right corner. Arizona isn’t pressuring QB Brandon Weeden. Arizona isn’t stopping the run.

Arizona has allowed three plays of more than 25 yards.

* * *

Arizona converts two third downs on its first drive, but runs an unsuccessful draw on third-and-16 to end the possession. Punter Kyle Dugandzic gets a good bounce at about the 1, but the ball goes into the end zone for a touchback on the second bounce.

* * *

Tweets former Arizona basketball player Derrick Williams: “Watching my AZ bros on ESPN! Let’s go!”

* * *

Redshirt freshman WR Austin Hill makes his first start, catches a pass on UA’s first play.

* * *

Arizona won the toss but deferred to the second half. I don’t like that thinking in what should be — could be — a shootout. And, wouldn’t you know, Oklahoma State strikes first with an 88-yard drive. By deferring, will UA have to play catch-up al night?

The Cowboys nicely mixed the pass (a 25-yarder) and the run (a 42-yarder). More problems for CB Shaquille Richardson, who was eliminated on the long run by a block from WR Justin Blackmon, creating loads of room for RB Joseph Randle.

OSU finishes the drive with a TD for a 7-0 lead with 11:30 to go in the first quarter.

Exactly what UA DID NOT need. Too bad the Cats didn’t have the ball first.

Oklahoma State mascot Pistol Pete performs before the game at Boone Pickens Stadium. Photo by Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

* * *

The point spread of the game was 14 points for Oklahoma State. The line didn’t really move based on the uncertainty of the Juron Criner situation. Arizona has a chance, but has to reverse the turnover margin from last season’s loss in the Alamo Bowl.

Start fast, win the turnover battle … and then Arizona could play fast, loose and confident.

* * *

Right guard Trace Biskin, who missed last week’s game, warmed up the offensive line. Shane Zink started in his place vs. NAU in the opener. We’ll see if Biskin gets the start.

* * *

This will be the place for our in-game analysis for Arizona-Oklahoma State, so check back
here often and have your say in the comments section (or leave a question for me).

The big news isn’t that Arizona wide receiver Juron Criner won’t be playing — which was yesterday’s news — it’s that the UA announced he underwent an appendectomy on Monday.

I’m not at the game but my CBSSports.com Rapid Report partner from Oklahoma State, Adem Kemp, is on the scene. He will be filing reports to the Arizona page and the Oklahoma State page.

Kemp reports on Arizona PK Jaime Salazar in warmups: “PK Jaime Salazar is warming up right now and went 1-3 on warm up kicks from 35 yards out.”

Gulp.

That’s not what you wanted to hear after last week’s struggles.

More pregame coverage:

Points aplenty needed to beat Oklahoma State

Matchups to watch; other pregame notes

Steps in the right direction: Jaime Salazar knows what to fix

Scott Terrell: This week in the Pac-12

Brad Allis: The answer man: Arizona’s offense

And here is who Arizona has to stop tonight:

CREDIT: ESPN
CAPTION: Justin Blackmon
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