Barry Sanders to serve as homecoming grand marshal
Thirty years after he delivered arguably the greatest season in college football history, former Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders will be honored as OSU's homecoming grand marshal, the OSU Alumni Association announced Tuesday.
Sanders won't be alone, as his 1988 offensive line, known as the "War Pigs," will join him. Behind the War Pigs, Sanders rushed for 2,850 yards with 42 touchdowns en route to becoming the only Heisman Trophy winner in the Cowboys' history.
“1988 was such a special year for OSU football,” Sanders said in a release. “The fact that I get to celebrate the 30th anniversary at Homecoming with my coaches, teammates, and of course our fans, is very special to me.”
OSU's homecoming festivities begin Oct. 21 and run through the Cowboys' homecoming game against Texas on Oct. 27. Sanders is expected to participate in various homecoming events throughout the week, including Homecoming & Hoops and the Sea of Orange Parade.
Video board has players buzzing after first scrimmage
When they held their first scrimmage of camp inside Boone Pickens Stadium on Sunday, the Oklahoma State players got a look at what the in-game experience will be like with the new video board on the east end of the football field. Like many players, defensive tackle Trey Carter immediately took note of the massive video board, which is only about 30 yards from the back of the end zone.
“Oh, that’s gonna be a distraction,” Carter told Darrion Daniels.
Daniels encouraged his teammate to keep his mind on preparing for the scrimmage, but it wasn’t easy.
“Man, what if I make a play?” Carter asked with excitement.
“Hey, we just gotta focus right now,” Daniels told him.
Before long, the board had faded into the background and no longer caused a distraction.
“No, not at all,” Daniels said. “It’s tunnel vision.”
OSU coach Mike Gundy
didn’t feel like the new board caused any issues, but he plans to hold at least a couple night practices at BPS before the Aug. 30 season opener against Missouri State, which kicks off at 7 p.m.
“I was stunned at the clarity and the sound,” Gundy said. “It’s better than being in your living room. We didn’t notice it being a factor with the team.
“We’re gonna go out and practice a couple times at night, and we’ll see what kind of difference that makes, based on the darkness and the lights and the video board. But it’s fantastic. It’s awesome.”
Taylor Cornelius, backup QBs solid in first scrimmage
With the season opener just over two weeks away, Taylor Cornelius has kept himself on track as Oklahoma State’s first-team quarterback. Gundy saw more progress from the 6-foot-6, 232-pound senior in Sunday’s scrimmage.
“He’s been in the bullpen for three years. He’s just never gone out on the mound and thrown a pitch,” Gundy said. “He’s doing great. He continues to run our offense. He gets it. We like where we’re at, and we like what he’s doing.”
Behind Cornelius, backups Dru Brown and Spencer Sanders have shown an ability to pick up the Cowboy offense quickly.
“Both of them did really well,” Gundy said of their scrimmage performances. “I’m still shocked that they can absorb as much information as they can and play the game the way we play it so fast.
“They’ve been here, what, 12 days? And they’re doing really well.”
Punter Zach Sinor should be “up and running” in two weeks
Gundy didn’t go into much detail about his punting situation on Tuesday, other than saying he expects senior starter Zach Sinor to be back with the team later this month. Gundy said Sinor, who had hernia surgery last week, should be “up and running in two weeks.”
With the season opener just over two weeks away, that still leaves a question mark as to who will be used for punting duties when the Cowboys host Missouri State on Aug. 30.