Gundy, Herman explain late fracas
Oklahoma State beat Texas on the football field Saturday night, but fans almost found out what a showdown between the teams’ coaches would look like.
As OSU quarterback Taylor Cornelius took a knee near the end of the Cowboys’ 38-35 upset of No. 6 Texas, Longhorns defensive end Breckyn Hager pushed his way into the backfield, and jawing commenced between the teams. OSU coach Mike Gundy rushed to midfield, attempting to break up a fight before one could start.
Texas coach Tom Herman sprinted in from his sideline, yelling and pointing at Gundy and believing he was going after Hager. Both coaches made their way back to their respective sidelines, with Gundy putting his arms in the air to ignite the Boone Pickens Stadium crowd.
After the game, both coaches calmly addressed the situation.
“I was concerned about it getting ugly,” Gundy said. “I wasn’t concerned about (Hager). I’m not worried about that, but they started to come together and I did not want something ugly to end on the field like that.”
Herman said: “I thought Mike had come out and was having words with one of our players. I took exception to that. When I shook his hand at the end, he said, ‘Hey, I was just trying to make sure we were smart and no fight ensued.’ I believe him.”
Redshirt tracker
Here’s a look at where things stand for the Cowboys’ redshirt-eligible players through eight games, 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 two games, can appear in up to two more and redshirt
Kanion Williams, safety, freshman
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
Tyrese Williams, offensive lineman, freshman
Sinor shifts momentum with late punt
After punting once in the first half against No. 6 Texas, Zach Sinor trotted out to punt for a third time after the break, the Cowboys’ 31-14 halftime lead reduced to 31-28 with under 10 minutes left.
He came through with a key moment in OSU's 38-35 victory.
Sinor delivered a 57-yard punt to the Longhorns’ 9-yard line. Texas’ Brandon Jones attempted to return the kick, but OSU’s punt team forced him 7 yards back and nearly into his own end zone.
The Longhorns managed only 3 yards on the subsequent drive thanks to a holding call that negated a 19-yard pass but also should’ve resulted in a safety.
After a Texas punt, OSU drove downfield for what proved to be the winning score.
“We knew we had to capitalize on it,” OSU defensive end Jordan Brailford said. “It was a big momentum swing. I think that was a pivotal moment that might’ve won us the game.”