Why Oklahoma State football safety Trey Rucker has exploded statistically in 2024 season

STILLWATER — Trey Rucker’s statistics tell you all you need to know about the improvement the Oklahoma State safety has shown in his super-senior season, but if you’d rather hear it from Dylan Smith, he’s happy to oblige.

“Really, this year is something I’ve never seen, never played with before,” said Smith, a sophomore safety starting alongside Rucker. “It’s kinda crazy, like, a safety getting double-digit tackles every game? I just love it for him.”

As the Cowboys (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) prepare to host West Virginia (2-2, 0-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium, Rucker is second nationally and tops among Power Four players with 63 tackles through five games. He’s tied for the team lead in interceptions with two.

For the sake of comparison, Rucker had 100 tackles and one interception in 14 games last year.

And his importance seems to be increasing by the week, especially Saturday with West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene’s ability to run the ball.

The Cowboys have struggled against the run in general, but quarterbacks have been particularly impactful, whether it was Arkansas’ Taylen Green, Utah’s Isaac Wilson or Kansas State’s Avery Johnson.

“Every time (Johnson) got out, something bad happened,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said of the K-State quarterback, who rushed for 60 yards on five carries. “Guys that can really run and get out there, it’s hard to think that realistically you are going to control them all the time. You certainly have to have a good idea about doing it most of the time because of the downfield throws, they take off and run, and all those things.”

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Rucker has become known for his physical style and knack for big plays, like the game-winning fumble he caused in the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-oklahoma-state-football-safety-110138282.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-10-03 11:01:38

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