STILLWATER — A career-high 17 tackles are cool, but Ethan Wesloski would rather not do it again this week in Houston.
Wesloski, Oklahoma State redshirt senior linebacker, tied a career-high with 17 tackles in OSU’s win at West Virginia. In last week’s win against UCF, he made 17 more.
“No, it’s never something I’m going to be tired of, but I’ll sacrifice as many tackles as I need to be able to have other guys execute better at a higher level,” Wesloski said. “I think you probably take away 10 of those if we’re executing at a little bit higher level so it’s my job to get there tomorrow, Monday, and get our guys on the same page.”
OSU’s linebackers have statistically spiked the past two games. They will be needed again on Saturday at TDECU Stadium when the Cowboys play Houston, the No. 14 rushing offense in the country (230 yards per game).
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Wesloski, a North Texas transfer, and linebacker Tate Romney, an Arizona State transfer, have combined for 60 tackles in OSU’s past two games. Wesloski ranks No. 17 nationally with 53 tackles this season. Romney ranks No. 70 with 43.
Part of the reason for the sudden uptick in tackles for the duo (Neither had a game in double-digits before the past two games) is the playing style of the opposition presented opportunity. West Virginia ran the ball 66 times. UCF out-possessed OSU by more than 10 minutes and ran 83 plays to OSU’s 63.
Wesloski and Romney have a good working relationship that starts before the ball is snapped.
“We do talk a lot before plays,” Romney said. “I think that’s one big thing, talking about formations, talking about tendencies. I think we do a good job communicating with each other that allows us to be in good positions to make plays.”
Houston will test the middle of OSU’s defense with tight end Patrick Overmyer. Last week, Overmyer caught four touchdowns against Kansas State and is the Cougars’ leading receiver with 33 receptions and 400 receiving yards.
Romney views stopping Overmyer as much of a mental challenge as a physical one.
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“It really just comes down to eye discipline, being able to read and trust your keys and we don’t guard too much as linebackers but DBs just having good eye discipline, not getting caught up in the run,” Romney said. “They do a lot of play action pass, so not coming down on the run sometimes.”
Playing smart is one the strengths for Romney, 24, who is older than most players after serving on a two-year Mormon mission out of high school to Argentina and San Antonio. He is married and in September, he became the father of his second child.
He demonstrated great eye discipline in the second quarter against UCF, staying home on a reverse play and tackling receiver Tyren Hornes for a 10-yard loss.
Morris said because the interior of OSU’s defensive line has played well, opponents are trying to run outside and more plays are available for linebackers to clean up.
“They've done a nice job staying at home on some different misdirection stuff and getting some tackles for losses and making some plays in space,” Morris said. “I think those guys feed off of one another and have been really good. They are really smart players there. You can add (Isaiah) Chisom into that too. I think Chisom’s doing a phenomenal job too as well.”
OSU vs Houston
KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas (FOX)
Ben Hutchens covers OSU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ben? He can be reached at bhutchens@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @ben_hutchens_. Sign up for OSU Sports Minute newsletter to access more coverage of the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Support Ben's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ethan Wesloski, Tate Romney 'feed off of one another' to lead Oklahoma State football LBs