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ly due to injury, but each has had an opportunity to hand the ball to Randle. "One of his traits that goes unnoticed sometimes is Joseph's durability," Oklahoma State running backs coach Jemal Singleton said. "It's amazing. He hasn't missed a game. He hasn't missed reps. Just to know that he's ready to go no matter what the case may be is awesome. He's definitely part of the foundation of this offense and the fact that he's stayed healthy and has been ready to play is a good deal. "For a back to be as durable as him over the years is impressive." Randle says he's tried to make the most of Oklahoma State's quarterback situation and keep the offense scoring no matter who is under center. That seems to have worked. "I kind of look at it like I'm in my own world," Randle said. "I try to focus on my job and not look at what's going on around me. It makes it easier when you look at it like that." Randle's made an impact since the first day he stepped on the Cowboys' campus. The 25th-best running back in the country by Rivals.com in the Class of 2010, the Wichita Southeast High School graduate had offers from Stanford, Texas A&M, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and others before choosing Mike Gundy's program at Oklahoma State. A backup in his true freshman season, Randle gained 452 yards, averaging 5.5 per carry. Then he broke out in 2011, gaining 1,216 yards, averaging 5.8 a slowing Randle Oklahoma State's offense is good. The statistics tell that story, with the Cowboys averaging nearly 45 points and almost 550 yards per game, both ranking in the top-five nationally. And the ringleader might be running back Joseph Randle, a versatile junior who has accounted for 115.6 yards of total offense per game this season. He won't be easy for the Boilermakers to contain. "Joe's ability to not only be a really good runner with the ball in his hands, but also as a threat as a receiver out of the backfield gives us a lot of flexibility in the things that we can do," Cowboy running backs coach Jemal Singleton said. "What he does for our offense is just great, it really forces our opponents to defend against the run and the pass." Much of OSU's rushing game is based on the zone-read, similar to the offense run by Purdue backup quarterback Rob Henry. Boilermaker defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar says Oklahoma State frequently comes to the line with an option to run or throw, based on what the quarterback sees from the defensive formation. The Cowboys' QBs — and they've used three effectively this season — key on the opponents' linebackers to make their decisions. "If they've got the numbers and can block everybody, they hand it off and if they don't, then they throw it out there and let that (wide receiver) run it," Tibesar said. "They do a good job schematically, so a lot of their run game is predicated on those decisions. So (Randle) gets to run into a lot of good looks. That's what it really is. When he's running the ball, usually they've got the numbers to block everybody and he has the ability to create some room." Purdue will be challenged to slow Randle down. The Boilermakers' rush defense gave up 180 yards per game, ranking only 80th nationally (out of 120). And they allowed a 100-yard rusher in five games; Wisconsin had two backs go for more than 100. Randle went more than 100 yards in eight of 12 games this season. Tibesar says part of the game plan is to fool the Cowboys' quarterback by disguising defensive fronts. "So you want him to make some poor decisions, and at the same time, we've got to be able to beat some blocks up front when we are playing coverage out there and trying to take away some of their receivers," Tibesar said. "And playing without an overloaded box, we've got to be able to beat blocks and have guys from the perimeter trigger it and fill their gaps. We've got to do a mix of that in the game." — Kyle Charters GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com OSU Marketing Oklahoma State running backs coach Jemal Singleton has been impressed with Randle's durability in his three-year career. He hasn't missed a game. tote, with 24 touchdowns, the third-highest total in the country. This season, Randle was a unanimous selection for first-team All-Big 12. "When you use the phrase 'productive player' that definitely fits Joseph Randle's career here so far at Oklahoma State," Singleton said. Randle's productivity over the years might have him looking to move on to the NFL soon. CBSSports.com ranks him the fourth-best running back prospect for the '13 draft, a spot ahead of Wisconsin's Montee Ball, and could be a second- to third-round pick. At the least, Randle's expected to test the NFL waters to get feedback from the NFL Draft advisory board before making his decision to stay or go. But that might come at a later date; first, the Cowboys are preparing for the Boilers. "We're just looking forward to playing another game," Randle said. "Any opportunity we get to play another game, it's fun. So we'll have fun in Dallas. We have a lot of guys from that area, so their families will get to come, things like that, so we're looking forward to it." j Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 3 • 23