Smith’s family dressed for success
STILLWATER — As there is in anything, there was good and bad in Oklahoma State’s season-opening victory against Missouri State.
Let’s take a look at the best and worst from Thursday’s 58-17 Cowboy win. BEST DRESSED: Enoch Smith Jr.’s family
In a game with seemingly little meaning for the Cowboys, it meant a lot to OSU defensive tackle Enoch Smith Jr. His father played for what was then Southwest Missouri State in the early 2000s, and the family drove down for Chicago for Thursday’s game.
Smith’s mother, Talisha, made shirts honoring both her son’s time at OSU and her father’s Missouri State career, featuring pictures of both of them in uniform and the phrase “LIKE FATHER LIKE SON.” WORST ARRIVAL: Missouri State
Before they even got to Stillwater, the Bears ran into trouble. The bus carrying Missouri State’s offensive players reportedly broke down into Tulsa, delaying their arrival to Boone Pickens Stadium. Despite some fears that the situation could lead to a delay, the Bears managed to make it in time for their loss. BEST NAME COMBINATION FOR A FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN: #Cornelius2Finefeuiaki
Taylor Cornelius had never thrown a touchdown pass. Sione Finefeuiaki had never caught a touchdown pass. So of course, the senior started the second quarter with a 3-yard scoring connection. Of course, the hashtag doesn’t have the same rhythm as #Rudolph2Washington — and likely won’t be used nearly as often — but it’s definitely more fun. WORST KNEE TAKEN: Chuba Hubbard
While taking a redshirt last season, Hubbard and his blazing speed remained on the Cowboys’ sideline. An intriguing piece amid the Cowboys’ deep running back corps entering the season, Hubbard had an opportunity to display that speed on his first kick-return chance, but instead elected to take a knee, again leaving OSU fans wanting more.
He made up for it near the end of the third quarter with a 54-yard touchdown reception, dodging several Bear defenders to complete the score. BEST DANCE MOVES: Calvin Bundage
The junior linebacker’s first sack of 2018 prompted a flurry of dance moves. An aggressive player in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ aggressive defense, Bundage clearly had waited a long time to return to game action, and when he got his moment in the spotlight — and on the Cowboys’ new video board — he made sure to take advantage of it. WORST NAME ABBREVIATION: Mike Scott
Among the Cowboys’ newcomers to make their debuts Thursday was junior college defensive lineman Mike Scott. He could easily go by Michael and match names with “The Office” character. It’s an easy shot at being popular among fans, and “‘You miss every shot you don’t take’ — Wayne Gretzky” — Michael Scott.