Cowboys aim to rebound after mediocre season
After three consecutive 10-win seasons, Oklahoma State took a major step backward with a 7-6 mark in 2018.
Cowboys coach Mike Gundy told reporters during Big 12 football media day last week he needed to hold players and coaches more accountable for the team’s disappointing showing. Nonetheless, he believes this year’s team has the right mindset to bounce back.
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2019 season. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 33: Oklahoma State
Coach: Mike Gundy (121-59, entering 15th season; 121-59 overall)
2018 record: 7-6, 3-6 in the Big 12 Conference; tied for seventh
Look back: Oklahoma State opened by winning its first three games before inexplicably dropping a 41-17 decision to Texas Tech, a doubledigit underdog. After bouncing back with a win over Kansas, the Cowboys lost four of their next five games with the sole victory coming in an upset of then-No. 6 Texas. The team nearly pulled off another miracle with an upset of rival Oklahoma on Nov. 10 but a failed two-point conversion sent the program to its fourth straight loss to the Sooners. The team wrapped up the season with upset wins over West Virginia and Missouri in the Liberty Bowl.
Offensive starters 5
Offensive starters lost: 6
Defensive starters 5
returning: returning: 6
Key losses: QB Taylor Cornelius, RB Justice Hill, WR Tyron Johnson, DE Jarrell Owens, DT Enoch Smith, LB Justin Phillips, DB Kenneth Edison-McGruder, DE Jordan Brailford
Top returnees: WR Tylan Wallace, WR Dillon Stoner, OL Marcus Keyes, OL Johnny Wilson, OL Teven Jenkins, LB Calvin Bundage, DB A.J. Green, DB Rodarius Williams, DB Malcolm Rodriguez, DB Jarrick Bernard
Strengths: Oklahoma State is coming off another season during which the Cowboys featured one of the most explosive offenses in the country. The team averaged more than 38 points and 500 yards per game in 2018 for the second straight season. But the departure of longtime offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich leaves the unit facing some big challenges. Gundy is working to identify a starting quarterback and starting tailback during preseason camp.
New offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson favors an emphasis on running the football, which could benefit redshirt freshman Spencer Sanders, an athletic dualthreat quarterback. Hawaii transfer Dru Brown could also fit into the quarterback picture after sitting out last season.
“Both guys on our team right now have worked hard,” Gundy said of Gleeson and Sanders during Big 12 media day. “We haven’t had anybody go ahead and take the reins at this point. So we’re ready for them to split reps. If at any time one becomes our starter based on us feeling like they give us the best chance to win a football game, we will name a starter.”
Tailback Chuba Hubbard, who shared the backfield duties with Justice Hill last season, steps into a much larger role this season after rushing for 768 yards and seven touchdowns for OSU. His 6.0 yards per carry makes him an attractive option in Gleeson’s scheme.
Receiver Tylan Wallace finished second in the county with 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning him a spot as a Biletnikoff Award finalist. His return, along with that of fellow junior Dillon Stoner, gives Oklahoma State a perfect onetwo
2019 Schedule
combination at wideout.
Oklahoma State struggled during its first season under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, with the Cowboys allowing more points (32.5) and more yards (450) per game than any other time during Gundy’s 14-year tenure.
“Hopefully we can play it better. We need to be a more disciplined defensive football team,” Gundy said. “I think coach Knowles’ second year will give him a better feel for this league. It’s different in our conference — the willingness of head coaches and offensive coordinators trying to score every play and I think coach Knowles understands that maybe more so than last year.”
The unit must replace its top tackler in linebacker Justin Phillips (98) along with the top pass rusher in defensive end Jordan Brailford (9.0 sacks). Cornerback A.J. Green (11 pass breakups) anchors a secondary that was the strength of the defense despite recording a league-worst five interceptions.
Outlook: Oklahoma State will only go as far as its defense allows it. Last season, the Cowboys led the Big 12 in sacks (39) but finished near the bottom of the league in turnover margin after securing just 13 takeaways. This year’s schedule features early challenges. The Sooners will face four road games during the first six contests, including a visit to Austin to take on Texas.