STILLWATER — Derek Burton has always been a low-key guy, masking his feelings and emotions — until this season.

The Oklahoma State junior defensive end and Muskogee native is thoroughly enjoying himself and it shows on the field.

When was the last time someone can recall Burton wave his arms in excitement and also pump up the crowd, like he did after dropping Baylor running back Jacoby Jones for a four-yard loss on a first and goal at the OSU 6 yard line in Saturday’s 34-6 win over Baylor?

“That’s not really my style,” he said of his emotional showing. “I’m having the most fun since I’ve been here and I see how much better we’re getting on defense.

“I feel like we’re on the same page on defense. We’re doing a good job of communicating. It makes you play faster when you know the person next to you knows what they’re doing.”

If that’s not enough emotion, Burton also slapped high-fives to the fans in the stands as he walked off the field. There was an easily visible smile creasing his face.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior had the defensive play of the game when he blocked the extra point attempt with his right hand after Baylor had driven 10 plays and 65 yards for the touchdown.

“It was a big momentum swing,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “They go down and score and you block the PAT, it kind of lets the wind out of their sails. Now, our guys were running off the field excited instead of them normally jogging because they gave up points after a long drive.

“(Derek’s) growing and he’s played now for eight to 10 games if you add up all of his snaps. He’s finally understanding how to play football at this level.”

But this isn’t a one-game flash-in-the-pan for Burton, who has four solo tackles and three assists this season.

He had a sack on the elusive Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel — the only one in the Cowboys’ win over the Tigers.

It’s quite obvious the former Rougher is maturing as a college player.

Tim Beckman, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, also has noticed it.

“He’s fun to coach. Derek is the kind of guy you want your son to be like,” he said. “He does everything right. He’s worked hard in the weight room and practice.

“He’s the kind of player you need to build a team around and we’ve asked him to do that. He started playing young and early and he’s gotten better with more repetitions.”