By Wendell Barnhouse | wendell@big12sports.com
Big12Sports.com Correspondent
STILLWATER, Okla. - How difficult was Oklahoma State's season opener Saturday? It was like trying to find a word that rhymes with orange.
The ninth-ranked Cowboys didn't take the easy way against No. 13 Georgia. They committed 15 penalties for 106 yards, the offense was as explosive as wet gunpowder and the defense allowed the Bulldogs and their inexperienced quarterback to take the opening kickoff and drive 80 yards for a touchdown.
"Four years ago, this team would have gone in the tank," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.
The last six months had been a prelude to a pratfall. Georgia's visit had been hyped since the 2008 season concluded. It was the debut of a built-out Boone Pickens Stadium. During game week, the Cowboys faced distractions like arrests, the departure of one starter, a season-ending injury to another and key defensive player sidelined. Gundy described the feeling as "tense."
"My wife asked me (Friday night) about the game and I told her 'I have no idea what's gonna happen,'" Gundy said. "I usually have a pretty good feeling about how a game is gonna go."
But the final score of Oklahoma State 24, Georgia 10 might signal that these Cowboys are a different breed. With every reason to start the season with a loss, Oklahoma State turned in a performance that was tougher than new rope.
"We're a team that perseveres," senior offensive tackle Russell Okung said. "This has been four years in the making. We want to show our true colors."
That would be orange. A record crowd of 53,012 was dressed like it was the opening of deer season. Before the game, the Cowboys made their "spirit walk" to the new west end facilities that opened last month. Gundy, holding what he said was "the biggest pair of scissors I've ever seen" helped with a ceremonial ribbon country.
"There's 25,000 people around and someone says this is the biggest day in Oklahoma State history. … Good luck, coach," Gundy said. "No pressure, huh?"
Oklahoma State won by playing hard-nosed, Southeastern Conference football. The Cowboys scored the second-fewest points in a home victory during the Gundy Era.
The Cowboys finished with a pedestrian 307 yards in total offense. Their special teams had a couple of big returns but also gave up 60 to 70 yards in field position due to brain-dead decisions.
What was different for this OSU team was the defense, which is in its first year under veteran coordinator Bill Young. After the Bulldogs produced 80 yards in 10 plays on their opening drive, they had 177 yards on 50 snaps.
"We came to the sideline after the opening drive and coach Young was smiling," said nose tackle Shane Jarka, whose sack and forced fumble was a key moment. "He told us to keep our cool and keep playing."
Young has stressed sacks and turnovers. Jarka's sack of Joe Cox in the fourth quarter set up the Cowboys' clinching TD. Oklahoma State had two sacks and won the turnover battle, 3-0.
The Cowboys scored 10 points in the final 2:24 of the first half.
Junior wide receiver Dez Bryant, who had just three receptions for 77 yards, beat two Georgia defenders on a deep post and made a diving, over-the-shoulder reception for a 46-yard touchdown. Quarterback Zac Robinson just smiled when asked about the play.
"I threw it where he was supposed to be and the ball drifted," said Robinson, who was 11 of 22 for 135 yards plus 39 yards rushing. "I saw him adjust to the ball and dive … great play."
"That was unbelievable but that's what Dez does," Gundy said.
On Georgia's second play after Bryant's TD, safety Lucien Antoine separated running back Carlton Thomas from the football. Terrance Anderson recovered and Dan Bailey's field goal sent Oklahoma State to the locker room with a 10-7 lead.
Robinson's 1-yard scoring run and his 11-yard touchdown pass to Bryant - following Jarka's fumble-producing sack - kept the Bulldogs from mounting any significant rally.
"I haven't been involved with a lot of teams that if you play bad you can still win," Gundy said. "I'd like to think we're beyond having a program-changing win. We've stood toe to toe with a lot of good teams."
And wound up with their toes stepped on by their dance partner.
Georgia's final possession ended when linebacker Patrick Lavine intercepted a tipped pass. The fans started chanting "Big … 12" to jump starting the victory celebration.
On his way off the field, Gundy stopped for just over a minute to hear from Oklahoma State alum and mega-bucks benefactor T. Boone Pickens.
"He told me that after everything he's put into this program, this win today was worth it," Gundy said. "Well, $458 million is a lot of money for one win. I think he'll expect more than that."
It's just one victory. Gundy fired a cautionary shot by reminding the media that Houston - a team that had a 16-7 lead on the Cowboys in 2008 - visits Stillwater Saturday.
But a 1-0 record, whether it's after beating Georgia or Georgia Southern, certainly beats the alternative.