APPLES & ORANGES
2014 comparisons unpopular among 2018 Cowboys
STILLWATER — The 15th-ranked Oklahoma State football team suffered its first loss of the season, a demoralizing defeat that prompted a recalculation of what the Cowboys were capable of. Soon came another loss, and another, bowl eligibility coming into question as coach Mike Gundy made an effort to retain the redshirt of a freshman quarterback, one seen as the program’s future, while a first-time collegiate starter received fans’ scorn.
The lines between OSU’s 2014 and 2018 seasons are easy to draw. Those involved in both don’t see it that way.
“What’s similar is it’s Oklahoma State,” redshirt senior Cowboy back Britton Abbott said. “What’s different is everything.”
Abbott is one of nine Cowboys who were members of both teams.
With the exception of linebacker Justin Phillips, they all redshirted that 2014 season.
The 2018 Cowboys enter Saturday’s homecoming game against Texas having lost three of its four conference games, the first time the program has endured such a stretch since losing five straight in 2014.
The campaign began with potential, OSU falling by a touchdown to reigning national champion Florida State.
But against Missouri State, starting quarterback J.W. Walsh suffered a broken foot, opening the door for journeyman Daxx Garman.
Garman made his first collegiate appearance against the Bears and won the next four games as a starter as the Cowboys rose to 5-1.
Then, the offense turned inept.
In the next four games, OSU averaged 10 points and below 300 total yards. In a 28-7 loss to the Longhorns, the Cowboys managed only nine first downs and 192 yards. Garman suffered a concussion in the defeat, opening the door for Mason Rudolph to save OSU’s season.
He won two of his three starts that season, including a bowl game that once seemed improbable, before orchestrating three straight 10-win campaigns.
In 2018, fans hope Spencer Sanders could provide the same spark.
Unlike Rudolph, Sanders, Mr. Texas Football in 2017, has the benefit of college football’s new rule that allows a player to appear in four games and retain his redshirt.
Taylor Cornelius, then, finds himself in an opposing position of what he did in 2014. A
walk-on that season, Cornelius was in consideration to start after Garman’s injury as OSU’s coaching staff briefly debated whether to burn Rudolph’s redshirt.
After four years on the bench, he replaced Rudolph as OSU’s starter and guided the Cowboys to a 3-0 start before enduring a 41-17 beatdown by Texas Tech.
The Cowboys went into their open date last week off an offensive performance against Kansas State that featured their fewest points, yards and first downs
since that 2014 loss to Texas. Asked about the seasons’ comparisons, Cornelius was silent for a handful of seconds before answering.
“It’s a totally different team,” Cornelius said. “I like this team.”
Gundy dodged an opportunity to compare and contrast when asked about fans equating this year’s Cowboys to their 2014 version.
“Gosh, I don’t even know what year that was,” he said.
Reminded it was Garman’s season at quarterback, Gundy said, “I
would say maybe there’s some comparisons, but I would have to sit down and think it through, which I’m not going to. It’s pretty much a waste of time for me, but whatever, I guess, makes ’em feel better.”
Talentwise, defensive end Jordan Brailford believes the 2018 Cowboys are superior.
They will try to prove that Saturday against the Longhorns.
“The only thing that’s the same is the culture,” Abbott said. “The guys here are gonna fight till the end.”