Why Mike Gundy believes Oklahoma State's 'luck's gonna run out' with slow rushing starts

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy wants more from the rushing attack earlier in games.

Actually, he needs more.

“Two weeks we’ve gotten away with not running the ball well in the first half,” Gundy said. “Our luck’s gonna run out eventually.”

And being on borrowed time is no way to approach a football game.

So, when the Cowboys host South Alabama in their final non-conference game of the season at 6 p.m. Saturday, one focus will be to establish themselves on the ground much sooner than the second half or even fourth quarter.

“That’s what the offensive staff’s been told, that’s what I told myself in the mirror and that’s what the players have been told,” Gundy said at his weekly news conference Monday. “And everybody knows it.

“We know we need to run the ball better but we are putting things in place to make it happen.”

More: How Oklahoma State football answered 'disrespect' from Arizona State on fourth-down tries

In the season opener against Central Arkansas, the Cowboys entered the fourth quarter averaging 3.1 yards per carry before overpowering in the final period.

In Saturday’s win at Arizona State, OSU had zero rushing yards on 12 carries at halftime. The Cowboys rushed for 113 yards in the second half.

“Here’s why I think our running backs are playing well in the second half, late in the game: One, we’re making a few changes and blocking better, which helps a lot,” Gundy said. “And two, they’re fresh.”

Star sophomore Ollie Gordon II averages 6.1 yards per carry. Jaden Nixon averages 5.4 yards and Michigan State transfer Elijah Collins averages 4.4 yards per carry.

That’s led to OSU averaging 4.6 yards per carry, more than a full yard more than last season.

But that’s only because of second-half adjustments. Starting faster could only boost that.

“We made some adjustments and our physicality was better,” Gundy said about Saturday. “We’re a little better now than we were last year, but we still need to continue to get better. We need to be around that 4-4.5 per carry so it allows us to be balanced on offense.”

Here is a look at what else Gundy discussed Monday:

Oklahoma State football report card: Bryan Nardo's defense aces late test at Arizona State

Cowboys QB battle could continue into Big 12 play

Earlier this year, Gundy expressed optimism that a starting quarterback would be named before Big 12 play begins.

That’s next week at Iowa State. And there is no clarity.

“That might be difficult,” Gundy said. “You guys have to remember, when we started this process I didn’t really know how it was going to pan out. All I knew is what I saw. And I only knew what I saw and who deserved to be in the game some.

“What the results would be, I hoped it would be good. But I didn’t know that for sure. So, we’ll just have to play it by ear as we go.”

Gundy said he’s found no separation between the trio of Garret Rangel, Alan Bowman and Gunnar Gundy.

Mike Gundy said the trio graded out around 80% mentally after Arizona State.

“Those are good grades,” Gundy said.

Gundy said there are discussions with offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn and quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay about the position battle.

But naming a starter does not appear imminent.

“If I were just to ask you who are the two that you would tell so far watching them play, ‘You’re not playing this game?’” Gundy said. “Just think about that for 30 seconds. Which two quarterbacks after you watch Game 1 and Game 2, you’re saying, ‘You’re out. You’re out. You’re not playing?’

“So, if they come in and sit down and say, ‘Coach, how come I didn’t get to play in this game based on what happened in Game 1 and 2?’ You have to have a good reason for that or you just have to say, ‘Hey, look, I’m the boss. It is what it is.’

“There’s a different side of it than that.”

More: How Oklahoma State football's Mike Gundy went old-school to address tackling issues

Can OSU rely on its defense to win games yet?

For the past three seasons, the Cowboys have leaned heavily on their defense to win games. Even Gundy has become more of a defensive guy.

But through two games with the new 3-3-5 scheme under Bryan Nardo, is Gundy comfortable enough yet to rely on the defense to carry the load?

“I don’t know,” Gundy said. “It’s too early. I’ll know a lot more in three or four weeks. I’m pleased with what they’ve done up to this point.

The consistency that we need to improve in there is the tackling early in the game. We didn’t tackle very good out there in Tempe early in the game. Then we did tackle better later. We have a plan for that. We’re going to tackle in practice again this week and hopefully we get a little better each week.”

More: Oklahoma State football finds defensive mojo & more stats from win vs. Arizona State

South Alabama brings physicality to Stillwater

Don’t overlook South Alabama this weekend.

And Gundy has a good reason why.

“This is the most physical team we’ve played,” Gundy said. “This is the best we’ll play up to this point. They’re physical. They’ve done a nice job.”

Gundy said South Alabama (1-1) is especially aggressive defensively.

More: Oklahoma State football vs. South Alabama: TV channel, betting lines, matchup breakdown

Why OSU’s offensive line rotates very little

The Cowboys are playing a lot of players everywhere up to this point — except on the offensive line.

There’s a good reason for that.

Starting left tackle Jake Springfield is injured, though Gundy alluded to a possible return this week. Starting right guard Preston Wilson was suspended for the opener.

“Preston’s back with us, so that should allow us to do a little bit of it,” “They’re the guys that traditionally don’t rotate a lot. But when you go into the game with three centers, three guards and three tackles that you feel comfortable with, you can rotate them some. And then if you get a chance to bring a young kid in a little bit to play in play, it’s a better deal.

“But we haven’t had that luxury now because of the situation we’re with. We might get back to that this week. We’ll see.”

OSU vs. Arizona State: Takeaways from Cowboys' win over Sun Devils

Extra points

● OSU’s Big 12 opener at Iowa State on Sept. 23 will kick off at 3 p.m., the Big 12 announced Monday. The game will be televised on FS1.

● Gundy on redshirt freshmen defensive ends DeSean Brown and Jaleel Johnson, who combined for 36 snaps Saturday: “They look good rushing the quarterback. They look like they’re going to give us a good future here in rushing the quarterback, so we need to get them on the field and see what they can do.”

● Gundy on Jason Brooks Jr.’s block to free Gordon for a touchdown: “He played out of control some of this game. But effort and being physical and trying to play tough is not an issue with him at all. A little more balance, a little more under control. But he’s an over-aggressive guy, right? So, you’ve got to pull him out of a fight rather than push him in, which is a good thing.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy wants more from ground game