Mmgord77
09-28-2007, 08:10 AM
Article:
By Mike Baldwin
Staff Writer
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State cornerback Jacob Lacey was the first player to earn a black jersey during two-a-days.
After defensive coordinator Tim Beckman removed all black jerseys awarded for solid defensive play, Lacey was motivated to get his black jersey back.
Burned often in coverage in losses at Troy and Georgia, Lacey recorded a game-high 12 tackles and three pass breakups to help the Cowboys defeat Texas Tech 49-45.
"Jacob finally played on Saturday like we all hoped he would,” said cornerbacks coach Joe DeForest. "Hopefully he can build off what he did for the rest of the year, because obviously he showed he can do it. He met the challenge.”
Lacey supplied two key plays in the final two minutes.
With the Cowboys trailing 45-42 with 2:44 to play, OSU coach Mike Gundy elected to punt. Since Texas Tech had punted only once all day, some orange-clad fans probably wondered if they would get the ball back.
Thanks to Lacey and his defensive partners, the Cowboys posted a three-and-out. On third down, with the game on the line, Lacey clobbered Tech freshman star wide receiver Michael Crabtree for an incompletion.
"This definitely was one of my best games,” Lacey said. "I had a chip on my shoulder. I've had some ups and downs, even in this game. But when the game was on the line I felt I stepped up and played pretty well. Now I know I can go out and compete every down.”
After Texas Tech punted, OSU tight end Brandon Pettigrew took a reception 54 yards for a touchdown. The Red Raiders quickly moved down field but ran out of downs at the 15-yard line. On second down, Lacey's tackle held Crabtree to a 2-yard gain.
"That was a familiar route,” Lacey said. "He broke back to get the ball. I had to make the tackle. I can't be the weak link on the D. I have to step up. If they throw at me I have to make a play.”
Lacey said the key to his turnaround performance was he spent more time watching film.
"Sometimes I'm out of position and not reading my keys,” Lacey said. "It's small things. Last week I was in the film room studying like crazy. I did a better job of preparing off the field for those on-the-field situations.”
Lacey, a junior, didn't play defense at Garland (Texas) Naaman Forest High School. He was a quarterback. After making only one start as a true freshman at OSU, Lacey has been the starter opposite Martel Van Zant the past two seasons.
This season, he has recorded 23 tackles, nearly half his total (48) last year. A year ago Lacey recorded five pass breakups. This season he already has four breakups, including three against Tech.
"Switching from offense to cornerback is like going from a tricycle to a Hummer,” Lacey said. "There's a great deal to learn technique-wise. Your mindset has to change.”
Everyone notices when a cornerback makes a mistake. They can't win every battle.
"Corner is the easiest position on the field to play mentally, but the hardest to play physically,” DeForest said. "You're asking a guy to play man coverage 75 percent of the time. If a guy goes deep, it's his (responsibility) all the way down the field. It's life on an island.”
Wearing a black jersey to practice on Monday, Lacey's smile spoke volumes.
"It definitely was motivation,” Lacey said. "The white jerseys don't look as good as the black jerseys. This game gives me a lot of confidence.”
Rant:
Are you kidding me? Black Jerseys... Defense... OSU... ???? That's 3/4 fiction!!!!!
You give up the 4th most passing yards in NCAA history (646) and give up a school history high 718 yards... and you want to hand out Black Jerseys!!! Really!!! What does that say about our society today!?!?!?!
I'm mean, if you want to attack someone's behavior off the field, that's one thing... But, you want to praise a kid for being apart of that defense!?!? THAT'S CRAZY!!!
Also, what about the kids who are doing their best... never mess up... but are just having a hard time!?!?! You kick them when they're down!!!! How do you think they feel for not getting a Black Jersey, when Mr. Lacy gets one... huh???!!!??!! You want to not hand out a Black Jersey to everyone, that's fine... You just make sure it's me that doesn't get the black jersey!!! I can take not getting a black jersey!!!! I'M A MAN!!! I'm 26 YEARS OLD!!!! Don't give me a black jersey... that's fine!!! But, don't tell me the rest of the defense that gives up 718 yards doesn't deserve a BLACK JERSEY!!! That's Crazy!!!
YOU GUYS MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE!!!! I'M OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!
By Mike Baldwin
Staff Writer
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State cornerback Jacob Lacey was the first player to earn a black jersey during two-a-days.
After defensive coordinator Tim Beckman removed all black jerseys awarded for solid defensive play, Lacey was motivated to get his black jersey back.
Burned often in coverage in losses at Troy and Georgia, Lacey recorded a game-high 12 tackles and three pass breakups to help the Cowboys defeat Texas Tech 49-45.
"Jacob finally played on Saturday like we all hoped he would,” said cornerbacks coach Joe DeForest. "Hopefully he can build off what he did for the rest of the year, because obviously he showed he can do it. He met the challenge.”
Lacey supplied two key plays in the final two minutes.
With the Cowboys trailing 45-42 with 2:44 to play, OSU coach Mike Gundy elected to punt. Since Texas Tech had punted only once all day, some orange-clad fans probably wondered if they would get the ball back.
Thanks to Lacey and his defensive partners, the Cowboys posted a three-and-out. On third down, with the game on the line, Lacey clobbered Tech freshman star wide receiver Michael Crabtree for an incompletion.
"This definitely was one of my best games,” Lacey said. "I had a chip on my shoulder. I've had some ups and downs, even in this game. But when the game was on the line I felt I stepped up and played pretty well. Now I know I can go out and compete every down.”
After Texas Tech punted, OSU tight end Brandon Pettigrew took a reception 54 yards for a touchdown. The Red Raiders quickly moved down field but ran out of downs at the 15-yard line. On second down, Lacey's tackle held Crabtree to a 2-yard gain.
"That was a familiar route,” Lacey said. "He broke back to get the ball. I had to make the tackle. I can't be the weak link on the D. I have to step up. If they throw at me I have to make a play.”
Lacey said the key to his turnaround performance was he spent more time watching film.
"Sometimes I'm out of position and not reading my keys,” Lacey said. "It's small things. Last week I was in the film room studying like crazy. I did a better job of preparing off the field for those on-the-field situations.”
Lacey, a junior, didn't play defense at Garland (Texas) Naaman Forest High School. He was a quarterback. After making only one start as a true freshman at OSU, Lacey has been the starter opposite Martel Van Zant the past two seasons.
This season, he has recorded 23 tackles, nearly half his total (48) last year. A year ago Lacey recorded five pass breakups. This season he already has four breakups, including three against Tech.
"Switching from offense to cornerback is like going from a tricycle to a Hummer,” Lacey said. "There's a great deal to learn technique-wise. Your mindset has to change.”
Everyone notices when a cornerback makes a mistake. They can't win every battle.
"Corner is the easiest position on the field to play mentally, but the hardest to play physically,” DeForest said. "You're asking a guy to play man coverage 75 percent of the time. If a guy goes deep, it's his (responsibility) all the way down the field. It's life on an island.”
Wearing a black jersey to practice on Monday, Lacey's smile spoke volumes.
"It definitely was motivation,” Lacey said. "The white jerseys don't look as good as the black jerseys. This game gives me a lot of confidence.”
Rant:
Are you kidding me? Black Jerseys... Defense... OSU... ???? That's 3/4 fiction!!!!!
You give up the 4th most passing yards in NCAA history (646) and give up a school history high 718 yards... and you want to hand out Black Jerseys!!! Really!!! What does that say about our society today!?!?!?!
I'm mean, if you want to attack someone's behavior off the field, that's one thing... But, you want to praise a kid for being apart of that defense!?!? THAT'S CRAZY!!!
Also, what about the kids who are doing their best... never mess up... but are just having a hard time!?!?! You kick them when they're down!!!! How do you think they feel for not getting a Black Jersey, when Mr. Lacy gets one... huh???!!!??!! You want to not hand out a Black Jersey to everyone, that's fine... You just make sure it's me that doesn't get the black jersey!!! I can take not getting a black jersey!!!! I'M A MAN!!! I'm 26 YEARS OLD!!!! Don't give me a black jersey... that's fine!!! But, don't tell me the rest of the defense that gives up 718 yards doesn't deserve a BLACK JERSEY!!! That's Crazy!!!
YOU GUYS MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE!!!! I'M OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!