2003 Statistics

QB Josh Fields

Quarterback
On a team full of battle-tested veterans, senior Josh Fields fits the mold perfectly. Though he can be erratic at times, the stocky gunslinger will be one of the conferences elite quarterbacks. For State to progress to the next level, however, Fields must improve his field awareness. At times, he looked as if he had regressed some in that department as a junior, and in the Cowboys three regular season losses, his mishaps were magnified. With two complete seasons now under his belt, maturity and experience should aide his occasional inconsistencies. Given the gaudy statistics he has recorded during his tenure, expect a stellar senior season from the in-state product. After Fields, the depth has promise and name-recognition. Sophomore Jamie Beeghley played sparingly during his first season but not enough to warrant much attention. Aside from Fields, he is the only returning Cowboy quarterback with any game experience. Highly touted freshman Robert Reid arrived on campus early, just as Donovan Woods, brother of Rashaun and D'Jaun, is eagerly anticipated. It's all good, really.

Running Back
All Vernan Morencey needed was a chance. With starter Tatum Ball out for the final two regular season games, the freshman stepped up and rushed for over 225 yards in consecutive outings. Morencey's low center of gravity compliments his north-south running style. What separates Morencey from other underclassmen skill-position players is that he understands the game well and adjusts it to his comforts. Look for him to become a household name in Stillwater rather quickly. Senior Seymore Shaw provides quality depth - look for him to become the short yardage back. Shawn Willis a proven lead blocker, and also brings agility and a knack for the endzone to the stable.

Wide Receiver
D'Jaun Woods isn't Rashaun Woods, but he could be. The younger sibling of the All-American made promising strides during his first season and should take a huge step towards stardom this year. In many ways, 2003 was a season of familiarity and transition for Woods. With the freshman tutorial now over and his confidence budding, look for him to flourish. Finding someone to step up aside him is a major off-season priority. No other returning receiver boasts any meaningful statistics, thus the supporting cast is not bankable by any means. Incoming freshman Seth Newton has all of the physical tools and should be given the reps to emerge as a major player in the rotation, but one of the veteran returnees must assert themselves. D'Jaun isn't good enough to carry the entire team, just as his brother tried to do the same and they finished 79th in passing offense.

Tight End
Billy Bajema is a primed for a big season. As a junior, he developed into a pertinent part of the Cowboy offense, and with the lack of proven talent at receiver, his skills become increasingly more important. Charlie Johnson is a nice second option and stands as a towering downfield target. He could find himself with favorable defensive match-ups as a second receiving tight end. Regardless, the team will freeze LBs and safeties in two-TE formations that are passing plays, thus the entire offense will open up when OSU establishes such early and teams then get caught looking for it.

Offensive Line
As a group, the front line is relatively unheralded. Regardless, they are efficient, and with four starters returning, the battle at the line of scrimmage should be a definite Cowboy strength. Three-year starting guard Sam Mayes is the leader of the group, a real road-grader, and he mauls opponents with his menacing size. Feisty Ben Buie returns at center, and will team with Mayes, and guard Chris Akin, to create a formidable interior. The tackles are a bit undersized, and must use their agility and footwork to hinder pass rushers. This is essentially the same crew that blew huge enough holes such that the team's season average was over five yards per carry to rank 11th nationally in rushing offense. Factor in that they also gave up but 17 sacks, and you see why we are so high on them and therefore, OSU's chances.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The pieces are in place for OSU to have one of the most explosive offenses in the Big 12. Seven returning starters bring experience and confidence to the field, and having a senior leader like Fields managing the game will prove valuable. The offensive line understands the/their game, which bodes well for Morencey, who will accordingly show he wasn't a flash in the pan. Most importantly, another receiver must prove his worth, and a backup quarterback will emerge. The framework is set, so all these guys have to do is produce.

Defensive Line
Collectively, this unit needs a spark. And they will get one in the form of Antonio Smith. He is the team's most proven pass rusher, and will have to improve his play even more than he already has, as he now becomes the focus at defensive end. He is crucial to the line's effectiveness. Clay Coe will anchor the middle, and has enough to beef to be a viable interior force. He must, and will, become a more active, penetrating playmaker, and will benefit from a talented partner. The Cowboys need more than a space-eater aside Coe, they need production. The ones tapped for that inside assignment are smallish and not up-to-snuff. But end Marque Fountain showed much potential as a freshman, enough to start as one, and he will again prove himself worthy. The 2003 line was mediocre, so this revamping is just what Doc Holliday ordered.

Linebacker
Paul Duren is a proven, quality talent. He broods leadership, and also makes plays. For the second consecutive season, he led the team in the tackles. Victor DeGrade came out of nowhere as a freshman and immediately upgraded the position. He brings athleticism to the lineup and allows his teammates more freedom because of his speed and quickness. Pagittie McGee is a player to watch as he as continued to progress during his first two seasons. Because of the Cowboys' primary 4-2-5 defensive scheme, depth is good here. But since this corps sorely underachieved last time around, they now have their work cut out for them if the Cowboys ever want to become a first-tier Big XII team, eh.

Defensive Back
Without question, this is the strength of the defense, especially returning three senior and two junior starters. Darrent Williams, an All-Big 12 performer from a year ago, leads the way. He finished third in the league in interceptions with six (two for TDs). Simply put, he is a playmaker, and makes opposing quarterbacks think twice (17 passes brokenup). Robert Jones is a formidable second corner, and should be even more productive in his second season after transferring from junior college. Though a bit undersized, Vernon Grant is the best tackler of the bunch. He is adequate in pass defense, but likes to be physical and play as a pseudo-LB near the line. Players like him make the Cowboys' unconventional defensive alignment work. A player to watch is Jamar Ransom. Built like a truck, the junior was a viable part of the rotation in 2003, and is primed to become a fixture in the secondary. He has linebacker size, but more than enough speed to excel in coverage.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Much work to be done here in spring ball. OSU ranked 78th in total defense in '03, giving up 221 points to five opponents' offenses, all defeats but two. The Cowboys went 5-3 to end, giving up 34 points per tilt in the process. The back-seven is strong, with Duren and Williams roaming free, but the crux of the group will be the defensive line. As a unit, they don't have to overwhelm, they just need to be resourceful. Managing the line of scrimmage, rather than dominating it, would avoid over-pursuit and therefore allow the playmakers behind them to take advantage of their skills. If the front-four can do that, the OSU defense will be much improved. This side of the ball is the team's key to success in 2004.