Gundy open to suggestions on how to fix Cowboys
STILLWATER — With an open date before Oklahoma State’s homecoming game against Texas, coach Mike Gundy is using this week for he, his staff and players to evaluate the program.
Speaking on the Big 12 coaches teleconference Monday, Gundy said he used his team’s Sunday night meeting to ask for thoughts on how the 4-3 Cowboys can correct a season that is rapidly slipping away.
“I asked the players to please come to me if you have anything that you think can help us perform better in any way possible, and they know that I have an open door,” Gundy said. “They can come to me. I don’t take things personal.
“I haven’t had anybody do that yet, but maybe I will in the next couple days.”
Gundy said he asked staff to figure out what needs to be changed and bring that information to him by the end of the week so that they can implement it heading into the Texas game. The Cowboys will spend this week with a focus on “basic fundamentals” and improving themselves, rather than preparing for an opponent.
“What we need to do is not make a bunch of changes because it’s not like the engine’s broke,” he said. “We just kinda need to tune it up a little bit so we can get another 1,000 miles down the highway.”
Redshirt tracker
The Cowboys' interest with the new redshirt rule going forward mostly relates to the quarterback position.
Graduate transfer Dru Brown and freshman Spencer Sanders have yet to play in any of their four allowed games. Saturday's 31-12 loss to Kansas State, in which starter Taylor Cornelius completed under 50 percent of his passes for 184 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, dropped the Cowboys to 4-3.
Although Gundy said he's "not really" considering giving Brown or Sanders extra reps during the upcoming open week, it's possible that strategy might change once the Cowboys have only three or four games left.
Here’s a look at where things stand for the Cowboys’ redshirt-eligible players halfway through the regular season, per OSU’s official participation report.
Played in more than four games, not eligible to redshirt
Jarrick Bernard, safety, freshman
Tanner McCalister, cornerback, freshman
Kolby Peel, safety, freshman
Played in four games, must appear in no more games to redshirt
Darrion Daniels, defensive tackle, senior (out for the season with injury)
Jalen McCleskey, receiver, senior (elected to sit out and transfer)
Played in one game, can appear in up to three more and redshirt
JayVeon Cardwell, cornerback, freshman
Sean Michael Flanagan, safety, freshman
Jonathan Shepherd, receiver, freshman
Kanion Williams, safety, freshman
Tyrese Williams, offensive lineman, freshman
Homecoming kickoff time announced
OSU will try to end its slumps both this season and at home at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 against Texas in the Cowboys’ homecoming game.
The matchup will be televised on ABC.
OSU, which has an open date this weekend, is 1-3 in conference play for the first time since 2005, Gundy’s first season as coach. The Cowboys have also lost five of their past seven Big 12 home games. At 4-3, OSU needs to win two of its final five games to guarantee bowl eligibility.
The university will also honor 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders and his offensive line, the War Pigs, as part of homecoming festivities.