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Robinson, stifling defense helps Oklahoma State stun Missouri

Oct 12, 2008 - 5:15 AM COLUMBIA, Missouri (Ticker) -- Chase Daniel finally looked human. As a result Missouri, is no longer unbeaten.

Daniel threw three interceptions and was outplayed by Zac Robinson as No. 17 Oklahoma State stunned the second-ranked Tigers, 28-23, on Saturday in a Big 12 Conference upset.

Robinson completed 19-of-28 passes for 215 yards with two scores and an interception. Robinson, who also ran for a TD, connected with Damian Davis for a pair of scores - including a 31-yard TD that put the Cowboys up, 28-17, with 6:30 left.

Kendall Hunter ran for 154 yards and a score and Patrick Lavine had a key interception late for the Cowboys (6-0, 2-0 Big 12 South), who have won their first six games for the third time in school history and the first time since 1997.

A Heisman Trophy favorite, Daniel entered having thrown for 1,665 yards and 15 TDs with just one pick. But Daniel, who was wearing No. 25 in honor of late former Tiger Aaron O'Neal, was out of rhythm most of the game.

Daniel was confused as to why the Tigers couldn't get untracked.

"Oklahoma State is a great football team, they fought hard and they came ready to play," Daniel said. "We didn't play the part, we made too many turnovers, and I put it all on me. ...We seemed like we were a little bit off all night, the reason, I don't know... I couldn't figure out why."

"I am very proud of our defensive staff, for the plan they put together - mixed up coverage, mixed up blitzes to try to get him off balance," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. "We got him (Daniel) sometimes got some hits on him - he is going to make some good plays."

The high-powered Tigers (5-1, 1-1, Big 12 North) offense that entered averaging 54.2 points, was held in check by a surprisingly stingy Cowboys defense.

"They did a good job in stepping up and stopping our running game a little bit, we just didn't come and make the plays that we needed to," said tight end Chase Coffman, who caught 11 passes for 104 yards.

"You have to give a lot of credit to (defensive coordinator) Tim Beckman and the defense for staying with the plan," Gundy said.

"We made some poor decisions in special teams, but we were able to overcome it. So I was really proud of our team for continuing to fight and taking it one play at a time."

Daniel completed 39-of-52 passes for 390 yards and a score, but was picked off by Lavine as the Tigers were driving for the potential go-ahead touchdown.

"They (Oklahoma State) did a good job, but they didn't do anything different than we expected," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "We just weren't executing as well as we should have and I think you give them credit for that."

While Daniel struggled, Robinson made plays all night. The Cowboys held a 21-17 lead until Robinson made the play of the game. On third-and-12, he scrambled away from pressure, rolled to his left and hit Davis for a 31-yard TD and a 28-17 lead.

Daniel tried to rally the Tigers, leading them on an eight-play, 85-yard TD drive that was capped by a 7-yard TD toss to Danario Alexander which made it 28-23 with 4:27 remaining. The scoring drive took just 2:03.

After Missouri's defense forced a three-and-out, Daniel took over with a chance to impress Heisman voters with a dramatic game-winning drive.

He hit his first pass, and a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty put the ball at the Oklahoma State 41-yard line. But Lavine made a diving interception two plays later, sealing the win with 1:41 remaining.

Daniel was looking for speedster Jeremy Maclin, who caught eight passes for 120 yards, on the play and Lavine anticipated the throw.

"We knew the ball was going to go to Maclin," he said. "He's a big playmaker on offense and so I tried to play on him harder. It worked out for me."