Line relying on depth
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has been pleased with the depth of the Cowboys’ defensive line, and that depth continues to grow.
Taaj Bakari’s development has allowed him to work into the defensive tackle rotation on a more regular basis.
For the season, he has three tackles, with two for loss. He recovered a fumble last Saturday at West Virginia.
“He’s making some plays,” Gundy said. “You see it different than what we see in practice. He’s finally realizing that contact’s not gonna hurt him. It’s OK to hit somebody, and if you tackle a guy from the other team, it’s a bonus.”
Overall, the Cowboys don’t have star playmakers like the recent past with Vincent Taylor or Emmanuel Ogbah. But as a group, Gundy has been pleased with the impact his defensive line has made.
“I had hoped that those six or seven guys could be as productive as what we were with Vincent’s dominance, and Emmanuel’s dominance,” Gundy said. “As a group, they’re playing good. I think (defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements) is doing a good job rotating them in.”
The Cowboys’ defensive line faces one of its toughest challenges of the season on Saturday against an Oklahoma offensive line that is considered among the best in the country.
Currently, Jordan Brailford leads the OSU defensive line with 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He also has an interception. Defensive tackles Darrion Daniels and DeQuinton Osborne each have more than 20 tackles on the season.
Brad Lundblade finalist for Campbell Trophy
Oklahoma State senior center Brad Lundblade was named one of 13 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes college football’s top scholar-athlete.
Lundblade, a marketing major, was selected from a list of 181 semifinalists by the National Football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame.
Each of the 13 finalists will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments. They will travel to New York City for the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 5, where the winner of the 28th William V. Campbell Trophy will be announced.
The winner’s scholarship will be increased to $25,000. The event will take place at the New York Hilton Midtown and will be live streamed on ESPN3, starting at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s a great honor and I’m really excited about it,” Lundblade said. “I’ve never been to New York City, so it’s gonna be a great experience to go up there for the awards. It’s a great opportunity.”
Fan details for ESPN GameDay
ESPN’s College GameDay show will hit the air at 8 a.m. Saturday from the lawn in front of Oklahoma State’s Edmon Low Library.
Fans can arrive at the set beginning at 6 a.m. OSU’s student union will open at 6:30 a.m., providing restrooms for fans, as well as food and drinks available for purchase.
Fans have the option to park in the student union parking garage from 6 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for $35 per vehicle. Posse donor lots will open for Posse members only at 7 a.m.
The show concludes at 11 a.m.