3 Cowboy Takeaways: Sanders Shines In Cowboys' Revenge On The Chippewas

Oklahoma State kicked off the 2022 season with a revenge game against the Central Michigan Chippewas, a team that infamously stole a win in Stillwater back in 2016 after a mix-up allowed for an extra, untimed down at the end of the game. A deep pass down the right sideline led to a lateral and a shocking upset that still leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Cowboys fans. On Thursday, OSU wasn't only out to seek justice for what happened in 2016 but to prove itself as a force to be reckon with as the conference realignment dust settles.

OU and Texas are heading to the SEC in 2025 (and possibly sooner) as BYU, Houston, UCF and Cincinnati all shift to the Big 12. OSU sees itself as the top of the new Big 12 and after coming up just inches short of the crown last season, Spencer Sanders, Mike Gundy and company are aiming to take hold of the conference for years to come.

Starting the season ranked 12th in the polls, Oklahoma State made its first impression to the country on the national stage Thursday by defeating Central Michigan 58-44.

First Takeaway: Speed Wins For The Cowboys Offense

Good things happen for Spencer Sanders and the Cowboys when the ball is snapped early in the play clock. In the first half, OSU had five touchdown drives in seven plays or less and each one took less than two minutes off the clock. 

1. 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:32
2. 4 plays, 75 yards, 0:55
3. 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:17
4. 7 plays, 57 yards, 1:55
5. 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:32

The 55 second drive was the final possession of the first quarter. Oklahoma State was up 9-7 after pinning Central Michigan deep on a punt and forcing a safety.

The Cowboys seemed to be reeling in the first quarter after Central Michigan tied the game, but 55 seconds later, it was a two-possession game. Sanders hit Johnson for 41 yards, then Presley for 12 before running in the 17 yard touchdown on his own and making the defender look silly while he was at it. The 32 second drive showed how explosive the OSU offense could be.

Then in the second quarter, Central Michigan scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion with only 43 seconds left on the clock.

Instead of being satisfied with a 37-15 lead, the Cowboys attacked, drew a pass interference penalty and scored another touchdown with 11 seconds to spare.

Big 12 defenses, watch out.

Second Takeaway: Passing Game Is Explosive, Rushing Game Is TBD

It could be due Oklahoma State's success passing the ball, but it's never great when your quarterback ends as one of the leading rushers on the offense. Sanders had 57 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Junior running back Dominic Richardson had nine carriers for 61 yards with one touchdown.

The other four backs combined for 11 yards and a touchdown.

Sanders is a gifted runner in the open field and has proven he can throw the ball all over the field. A balanced offense will be crucial against conference foes later in the season.

To put a different perspective on it, the Chippewas mustered 122 yards against the experienced OSU front-seven, but the Cowboys only ran for 125 yards against CMU, and Sanders accounted for 57 of them. Cowboys can score fast and pass but the ball, but can they hold a lead and control the clock?

We'll see. 

Third Takeaway: Defense Is A Work In Progress

Jim Knowles is at Ohio State.

Malcolm Rodriguez is making a name for himself on the Detroit Lions.

Who is going to step up for the Cowboys this season?

How will the Cowboys defense look? Not pretty, at least compared to 2021. 

Central Michigan scored more points Thursday against OSU than any team did last season. Twenty-nine of those points came in the second half after the Cowboys built a significant lead to start the game. The most-concerning part was just how wide-open most of the Chippewas' pass-catchers were, especially on two-point conversions.

There were some bright spots.

Mason Cobb and Kendal Daniels made a solid impression and the defensive unit was great in short-yardage situations, but nothing like the defense that won the Fiesta Bowl last season. It's only Week 1, but it seems like Mike Gundy has a lot of work to do before the Sun Devils head to Stillwater next Saturday.