r, telling them how odd it was that she and they were Olympians despite football.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Jordan Sterns interception in the end zone on the final play, clinching Oklahoma States 43-37 victory over Kansas State, marked the second straight contest the Cowboys secondary came up with a crucial turnover with the game on the line, and highlighted the units strong play overall this season.While the passing defense for No. 17 Oklahoma State (7-2, 5-1 Big 12, No. 18 CFP) ranks fourth in the Big 12 and 80th overall in the nation (averaging 241 yards against), the squads ability to bend but not break, particularly late in close games, has been important to its success.Theyve gotten turnovers at key times, and when their backs were against the wall, theyve played pretty well in those possessions, coach Mike Gundy said of his secondary. We need more consistency throughout the middle part of the game, on normal down and distances -- 65 percent of the game is played under normal circumstances, so obviously, thats the majority. We need to play better in those situations. I think weve given up more big plays over the top than I would have wanted this year. If you eliminate some of those and play in the intermediate part of the field, weve been OK.Sterns interception on Saturday was OSUs 11th of the season, leading the Big 12 and tied for 22nd in the nation. Overall, the Cowboys have recorded 20 turnovers, most in the Big 12 and ninth in the country. They have forced at least one turnover in every game and have come up with 10 in the last four outings.A week earlier, in a 37-20 win over then-No. 10 West Virginia, Oklahoma State recorded two second-half interceptions, including a crucial pick by linebacker Kevin Henry with 4:18 remaining that sealed the triumph. Together with a fumble recovery in the second quarter, the Cowboys totaled three turnovers in that game, with long returns giving the offense the ball inside the 10-yard line each time, and Oklahoma State scored 17 points off of them -- the final margin of victory.We practice it, and the more you practice something, the better youre going to be at it, linebacker Chad Whitener said of the emphasis on generating turnovers. We work on it, we harp on it, we have goals for what we want to do turnover-wise.The secondary is led by Sterns, a senior safety who shares the team lead with cornerback Ramon Richards with three interceptions on the year and who has five in his career. Sterns also tops the squad with 60 tackles, and his average of 7.5 per game ranks sixth in the Big 12, while his career total of 284 sits fourth among active defensive backs from Power Five conferences.The unit will have its hands full Saturday, when the Cowboys host the high-powered aerial attack of Patrick Mahomes and Texas Tech (4-5, 2-4). Mahomes leads the nation with 3,886 passing yards this season, over 600 more than second-place Luke Falk of Washington State.Theyll be tested this weekend, thats for sure, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said. Obviously, the amount of times theyre going to throw the ball will be the most of anybody weve seen this year. Between coverage when (Mahomes) scrambles and breaks the pocket, to yards after catch, all those factors, and then, if we have a chance to pick it, weve got to go up and get it. We got to steal a few possessions from these guys, some way, somehow.Gundy also cited pressure from the defensive line as a key to covering Mahomes and Texas Techs explosive offense.In playing these guys, you have to be sound in three-man, four-man and five-man pressure, in my opinion, and you have to be balanced in how you attack their offense, Gundy said. We have to be consistent in our pass rush. And we also have to understand that it may seem like your biological clock is going off as a pass-rusher, but it may not be over, with his ability to move around and extend plays. I think thats as important as any part in defending their offense with him at quarterback.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org Clayton Thorson Youth Jersey . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Miles Sanders Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. http://www.theeaglesfootballauthentic.com/eagles-tommy-mcdonald-black-jersey/ . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Miles Sanders Youth Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Harold Carmichael Womens Jersey . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. BOONE, N.C. -- Marcus Cox ran for 133 yards with three first-half touchdowns and Appalachian State ran away from Old Dominion 31-7 on Saturday.Cox scored on runs of 1, 2, and 10 yards -- all following long drives -- to help build a 24-7 lead at intermission. Michael Rubino added a 20-yard field goal.On its first possession of the second half, ODU went for it on fourth-and-9 from the Mountaineers 15, but David Washington was picked off by Cliifton Duck in the end zone.dddddddddddd. After stopping Old Dominion on downs late in the game, Appalachian State (1-1) used an 11-play drive -- which took over 5 minutes -- before J.P. Caruso carried the last yard for the final score.Ray Lawry rushed 15 times for 119 yards with a touchdown for the Monarchs (1-1). ' ' '