With the Cowboys facing fourth-and-1 on their very first drive against the nation's stingiest rush defense, Gundy made a quick decision — so fast that he seemed to catch Texas off guard — and told his offense to go for it.
Zac Robinson kept the ball on a quarterback sneak, picking up 2 yards and extending a drive that appeared destined to be a three-and-out.
"We knew possessions were going to be key, and we didn't want to turn it over if there was a gettable fourth down or we felt like we had a play loaded up that would fit," offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said. "We wanted to play fast."
And they did. Even though Robinson threw a career-high four interceptions in the 41-14 loss to Texas on Saturday, there was no mistaking that speed.
What seems like a snap decision as the No. 18 Cowboys (6-2, 3-1 Big 12) rush up to the line is actually an involved thought process that starts early in the week. Gundy said he'd already decided before the Texas game that OSU would be aggressive on fourth downs in short or medium yardage.
The plays that will be called are already on a script.
The Cowboys ended up going for it on fourth down three times in the first half, converting twice. Robinson also completed a 7-yard pass to Justin Blackmon on fourth-and-4 and Hubert Anyiam dropped a potential 32-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-8.
"At least we gave ourselves a chance to play a team that was extremely talented and we had a chance — if we'd have executed — to do exactly what we wanted to do," Brewer said.
On the season, Oklahoma State has converted eight of its 14 fourth-down attempts to rank right in the middle of the Big 12 in both success rate and attempts.
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